How to Prepare for Your Plastic Surgery in The Woodlands Tx

Plastic surgery has become increasingly popular as techniques and safety levels improve. More and more people are willing to go under the knife in order to enhance different parts of the body. In 2020, alone, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported that there were more than 2.3 million cosmetic surgeries in the United States alone. This was in addition to a further 6.8 million reconstructive procedures and 13.2 million minimally-invasive procedures. These figures just highlight the widespread acceptance of plastic surgery by the general population. 

If you have thought about undergoing a treatment to address any concerns that you may have, this article highlights steps to help you prepare for your plastic surgery in The Woodlands Tx. 

Vet Your Plastic Surgeon 

The first step towards a successful plastic surgery procedure is to vet your surgeon. You want to want to make sure that you are working with the best person for the job. Start by looking for board certification and membership with professional associations such as the ASPS. You’ll also want to take a look at the surgeon’s website to learn how experienced they are in the specific procedure that you want to have. A plastic surgeon that is good at breast reconstruction may not be necessarily the best person for facelift surgery. It all depends on their key areas of experience. Reading online reviews and browsing through before and after photos can provide crucial information. Once you have gathered enough information to create a shortlist, the next step is to attend consultation visits so you can learn more about the surgeon. This initial visit provides an excellent opportunity to ask important questions and learn more about the surgeon’s approach. Do they seem to understand your needs and expectations? Do they inspire confidence? You should be able to take a look. 

Enhance Your Diet 

This is an obvious but important tip that most patients seem to ignore. Keep in mind that your body will need all the right nutrients to be able to recover after the surgery. This is why it is important you focus on healthy foods and avoid those that are not helpful to the body. 

Some examples of foods to avoid when preparing for your plastic surgery in The Woodlands include:

• Carbonated drinks such as coffee and tea
• Foods that could cause constipation such as red meat, dairy, and cheese 
• Some vegetables such as green peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, canned mushrooms, and radishes. 
• Examples of foods that you should eat when preparing for your plastic surgery include the following:
• Fresh fruits and vegetables 
• Foods that are high in fiber such as whole grains and cereals 
• Lean meat sources such as chicken, seafood, and turkey

Avoid These Don’ts 

There are certain things you should avoid when preparing for plastic surgery in order to give your body the best shot during the surgery and subsequent recovery:

• Smoking – plastic surgeons recommend that you quit smoking at least 6 weeks before your plastic surgery procedure. This is important because nicotine and other tobacco products are known to inhibit blood flow and thus impair the healing process. 
• Taking blood thinners – blood-thinning medication such as ibuprofen, aspirin, NSAIDs, naproxen, Advil, and Motrin have been known to thin blood and thus can increase your risk of bleeding during the surgery. 
• Taking Vitamin E & certain other supplements – vitamin E and certain types of supplements have been associated with an increased risk of bleeding. As a result, they should be avoided when preparing to have a plastic surgery procedure. 
• Limit alcohol consumption – alcohol can thin blood because it prevents blood cells from sticking together and forming clots. 

Organize Your Schedule 

Once your plastic surgery procedure has been completed, you’ll need to take it easy and rest so your body can fully recover. It is important that you take time off work and make arrangements so that you are relaxed during the recovery stretch. It is also important to purchase all the supplies you’ll need during recovery ahead of time and have someone to help out with basic chores. Keep in mind that the recovery duration varies based on the type of procedure that you plan to have. Consult your plastic surgeon to see how much time you need to set aside, and what recovery supplies you should equip yourself with. While at it, make sure to learn more about the cost of the procedure, and what financing options are available. 

Conclusion 

While finding the right plastic surgeon is the first step toward a successful procedure, you also have a lot of responsibility. It is important to adhere to the steps provided above and strictly follow the preparation instructions provided by your surgeon. Also, keep in mind that each procedure has its pros and cons. Taking as much time to learn whatever you can about your surgery and the subsequent recovery process can make things easier. You need to go to the operating room knowing that you understand what is going to happen and that you are ready for it.