If you want to get the most out of your plastic surgery, then it pays to prepare in advance so that you are in the best physical shape you can be before your procedure. Making sure you’re as healthy as possible prior to your cosmetic surgery will give you a greater chance of getting the result that you want and having a speedy recovery. Depending on your goals your surgeon may give you specific advice, but here is some idea of what to expect:

Why Prepare?
Healthy people heal better. It’s as simple as that. If your body is working well, then it repairs itself quicker. By exercising and following your doctor’s advice, you are helping yourself to a speedier recovery.

For some specific cosmetic surgery procedures, it is helpful if you’ve already achieved your weight loss goals prior to surgery. For example, before undergoing an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), reaching your target weight before surgery would produce better results. While some people think of liposuction as a weight loss procedure, that isn’t the case. Liposuction can be used to sculpt the body to the desired shape, but it won’t remove weight. If you really want to change your size and shape, then you will need to work on your health & fitness alongside your procedure.

What should you do?
You should speak to your surgical team to find out exactly what you should and shouldn’t do prior to your transformation as this will affect your preparation program. The following is some general advice to give you an idea of what might be suggested:

Discuss your medication with your team. Make sure that your doctor is aware of any medications and supplements that you take. Some medicines can affect your recovery, for example by thinning the blood and making bleeding more likely.
Stay hydrated. Your body is made up of 80% water, and fresh water is needed by your body in the healing process. Drinking water or herbal tea is the best way to prepare for surgery.
Stop Smoking. Nicotine restricts the blood flow, which will slow your healing.
Avoid Alcohol. Drinking alcohol can cause the blood to thin and lead to more bleeding.
Prepare for your recovery. Stock the fridge and freezer with good food. Set up a space with plenty to do so you can get the rest you need and follow any advice you get from your doctor regarding wound care.
Your plastic surgeon may give you exercises to do immediately after surgery to speed your recovery. For example, breast augmentation patients are encouraged to carry out gentle stretches of the pectoralis muscle as this prevents the muscle contracting and shortening which can add to discomfort. These stretches include: Shoulder Rolls, Arm Circles and Arm Stretches.
Follow advice from your doctor regarding when to exercise after recovery. You will need to give yourself time to heal before you hit the gym again.
Perhaps the most important piece of advice is to give yourself time to rest and recover.

Transformation is not just about changing looks, it’s about changing how you feel about your body. An important part of that process is for you to take control of your health and well-being prior to the surgery. If you take your doctor’s advice you will get the most out of your transformation and be on the road to recovery that much sooner.

If you would like to discuss supporting your procedure in more detail, get in touch with your plastic surgeon.