July 01, 2016 | 4 minute read
One of the reasons that people in the greater San Francisco area come to our practice is our focus on total wellness. This means making people look great and feel great following a facial plastic surgery, body contouring, or breast enhancement procedure.
We can accomplish this through expert surgical care, though we also put an emphasis on pre-op care and post-op care. Let’s take a moment to consider the preparation process, and consider how lifestyle changes a patient makes can make a big difference when it comes to their surgery.
Pre-Planning and Preparation Are Keys to Success
Any time a surgery is performed, a lot of the work is accomplished before the first incision is made. We put a lot of stock into the planning phase of surgery, which helps reduce the possibility of serious complications and other issues.
Patients can do a lot leading up to surgery, which is why they are given detailed pre-op instructions to follow before their procedure. By noting all of these actions, patients are more likely to heal quickly and free from any serious complications.
Eat a Well-Balanced Diet
The old saying is “You are what you eat.” In other words, if you eat a well-balanced and nutritious diet, you are more likely to be in good overall health. Inn the weeks leading into surgery, be sure to eat right and eat healthy—consume lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, avoid unnecessary sugar, and try to look for lean meats and whole grains. This will put you in ideal condition to heal properly after surgery.
Stay Fit and Exercise
Exercise is crucial to your well-being, and it’s extremely important that you exercise regularly. Staying fit is good for your heart and for blood circulation, and it just helps you feel great overall. For a surgery like liposuction, you may be asked to lose weight in a healthy manner heading into surgery as a way of improving the overall long-term results of the procedure.
Avoid Smoking and Tobacco Products
Tobacco products can cause a lot of damage to your body, and we don’t just mean cancer, lung disease, and heart disease. Smokers are often more susceptible to infection than non-smokers, and they may experience a slower healing time as a result. In the weeks before surgery and the weeks after, be sure to avoid smoking.
Avoid Alcoholic Beverages
We keep hearing that a little red wine might be good for our health, yet alcoholic beverages can similarly increase risks of infection and complications. As with smoking, be sure to avoid consuming alcoholic beverages in the weeks before surgery and the weeks after surgery.
Avoid Certain Medications and Drugs
Blood thinners and aspirin can make proper clotting,coagulation, and wound healing far more difficult. After a surgery, this could mean an increased risk of infection, poor healing, and other major complications. During the pre-op consultation process, we can discuss any medications you’re taking and how long you need to avoid these drugs because of your plastic surgery procedure.
Pay Attention to Your Emotional Needs
Mental wellness is just as important as your physical health. Undergoing a surgery and recovering from it can be psychologically stressful and the source of great anxiety. Before your surgery, speak openly with our team and your loved ones about your concerns. Find people you can trust to lend an ear and offer support to you before surgery and afterwards.
Schedule a Consultation at Our Practice
To learn more about improving the results of your plastic surgery through proper planning and preparation, be sure to contact our cosmetic plastic surgery center today. Our entire team is here to help you.
