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Lifestyle Tweaks to Make Before Plastic Surgery

Alexander Graham Bell once said that preparation is the key to success. This can loosely be applied to the plastic surgery experience. Although the success of your surgery primarily depends on other factors, such as the qualifications of your plastic surgeon, and your expectations, preparation is important.

Here, the Burt & Will Plastic Surgery and Laser Centre team shares a few lifestyle tweaks you should make in the weeks leading up to your surgery. Following these guidelines will help you recover quickly and reduce your risk of complications.

Stop Smoking

Smoking is terrible for plastic surgery patients. The chemicals in cigarettes flood your body and constrict your blood vessels, making it difficult to deliver healthy blood to the healing tissues. Smoking raises the risk of complications and can impede your recovery. If you smoke, quit at least two weeks prior to surgery, and do not smoke as you recover. Talk to your primary care physician about smoking cessation aids, if needed.

Adjust Your Medications

We will provide a list of medications to avoid in the weeks leading up to surgery. This list will include aspirin and other aspirin-like medications, which can interfere with your body’s normal blood-clotting mechanisms and increase the risk of excessive bleeding/bruising. Other vitamins and supplements are also potentially harmful. Set these medicines aside and look for approved alternatives (e.g., Tylenol is fine).

 

Eat Well

Eat nutritious, well-balanced meals full of lean protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Try to eliminate foods that are spicy or high in sodium. Drink plenty of water, which will flush toxins out of your body and aid in circulation.

Plan Ahead

To minimize any feelings of stress or anxiety about surgery, make plans and accommodations ahead of time.

  • Decide who will accompany you to the surgery center and bring you home afterward (they should also stay with you for the first 24 hours).
  • Make childcare arrangements.
  • Request time off from work.
  • Fill your prescriptions.
  • Stock up on food and beverages so you don’t have to worry about grocery shopping.
  • Prep your recovery area (e.g., the couch or your bed) with cozy blankets and pillows, medications and entertainment.

Contact Our Team

If you have questions about preparing for surgery, please contact Burt & Will Plastic Surgery and Laser Centre today for more information.

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