Before your plastic surgery appointment, there are a few things that you can do to prepare yourself so that you’re comfortable and in the best condition physically. After talking to one of the many board certified plastic surgeons in NC, you should schedule your appointment when you’re healthy. Your immune system won’t work as hard as it would need to if you had a cold or if it’s a time of the year when more people are sick. Include more vitamins and minerals in your diet before and after the surgery. Vitamins A and C are good to include for the healing process as well as iron and zinc. These essentials are ideal for procedures that are a bit more detailed, such as liposuction. Some doctors can prescribe a vitamin that you can take a few weeks before the surgery so that your body has the nutrients that it needs.
You should increase the amount of protein that you get in the body. The extra protein will help to deliver nutrients to the muscles and help to rebuild the tissues in the body. Fish and beans are ideal sources of protein that have other vitamins that are beneficial for the body after surgery as well. Avoid taking certain types of supplements and medications before your surgery. Talk to your doctor about the medications that could interfere with the anesthesia as well as the recovery process if you continue taking them. Any kind of supplement or medication that thins the blood should be stopped about a week before surgery.
Try to stay as hydrated as possible by drinking water throughout the day. The water will cleanse the body so that it’s healthy and has the ability to heal as it should. Don’t drink or eat anything after midnight the day before surgery because there could be complications from the anesthesia. Ask questions at your pre-operative appointment. You need to understand the risks and the benefits that are associated with the procedure before you get to the hospital or outpatient center. Find someone who can sit with you for the first 24 hours after surgery to monitor how you breathe and to offer assistance if there are any issues that arise.