Regardless of the procedure you plan to undergo, preparing for plastic surgery can seem overwhelming, even a little scary. But it doesn’t have to be! There are several steps you can take to prepare for your procedure, and for your post-op recovery.
- Get plenty of rest – before and after. Sleep is critical before and after your plastic surgery. Getting enough sleep helps to amp up your body’s defenses and better prepares you for you procedure. Post-surgery rest also speeds up the recovery process.
- Load up on nutrients. The vitamins and minerals in healthy, nutrient-dense foods give your body the material it needs to heal and recover after your procedure, and some have added benefits specific to plastic surgery. Nutrients like bromelain (found in pineapple) can help with swelling, inflammation, and pain after surgery. Vitamin C can help fortify your immune system (which prevents infections) and also helps to promote wound healing.
- Talk to your doctor about medications you’re taking. Some prescription medications, as well as ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin can interfere with your surgery. So it’s important to talk to your surgeon about all of your current medications. Most plastic surgeons will also recommend that you quit taking those over-the-counter pain relievers two weeks prior to your procedure.
- Quit smoking and skip out on alcohol. Smoking disrupts your body’s ability to health quickly, and it seriously constricts blood and oxygen flow to your body’s healthy cells. Alcohol ups your risk for infection, depresses your immune system, and can increase bleeding.
Make sure to speak with your plastic surgeon to find out when you should begin taking these steps. The time can vary from a month to the day before your surgery.
And give Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery a call today for answers to your pre- and post-op questions, and to learn more about the specific steps you should take before and after your surgery. Our friendly, professional staff is here to help put you at ease and make sure you’re fully prepared for your appointment.
