Having plastic surgery is an exciting event. Once the surgery has been completed and the patient has healed, their life could be significantly improved. Most people are nervous as well as excited, though. Patients want to get everything right to ensure the best possible results, which is exactly what they should do. Read on to find some expert tips on how to prepare.
- Find the Right Surgeon
The most important factor influencing how a cosmetic procedure will go is the skill of the surgeon. Don’t settle for less than the best provider in the state. Take the time to check credentials, look at before and after photos, get answers to questions, and ensure that everything is in order before moving forward with the procedure.
- Read the Pre-Op Materials
The surgery clinic should provide its patients with prepared literature to review in advance. Read through it well before the day of the surgery. There may be questions or concerns prompted by the literature that need to be answered in advance.
- Get Everything Ready
Most plastic surgeries are performed as outpatient procedures, so patients need to be ready to head home almost immediately. They shouldn’t be scrambling to get together all of their groceries and supplies for the coming weeks. Purchase items such as crackers and fruit-based popsicles that are easy to digest and gather supplies such as necessary compression garments, humidifiers, and comfortable clothes. Patients should also fill their prescriptions for medications in advance.
- Enlist Some Help
People aren’t usually completely incapacitated after plastic surgeries, but they may need some help at home. Those who live alone may want to enlist a friend or family member to stay with them for a few days or at least come by often to check in and provide care.
- Wear the Right Clothes
The choice of what to wear on surgery day is anything but trivial. This minor detail can make a large difference immediately after the operation, but appropriate clothing choices vary depending on the surgery. When in doubt, ask the doctor, but it’s always best to wear loose-fitting pants. For breast augmentations and other above-the-waist surgeries, buttoned shirts are a better option than t-shirts since the patient’s movement will be restricted following the surgery.
- Follow Instructions from the Surgeon
Most surgeries require general anesthesia, which, in turn, requires patients to stop eating or drinking in advance to avoid complications. Patients will be given clear instructions regarding when to stop eating and should follow them strictly. Failure to follow these instructions could lead to the surgery being postponed.
- Follow a Nutritious Diet Leading Up to Surgery
Constipation is very common following surgeries of all sorts, so patients should take preventative steps by eating nutritious foods before they must go NPO. Avoid excessively sugary or sodium-filled foods, which could exacerbate problems with constipation, and try not to eat a huge meal.
Schedule an Initial Consultation Today
The first step for patients who want to improve their confidence and body image through plastic surgery is to schedule an initial consultation. Patients won’t need to make any commitments during this appointment, so view it as an opportunity to learn more about the doctor, the procedure, and what to expect. Once the procedure is scheduled, patients will also receive detailed instructions from their surgeons about how to prepare, so be sure to follow them.
