1. Start and Maintain a Healthy Diet
Avoid diets that are low in calories and empty of nutrients because your body requires protein, iron, nutrients, and even carbohydrates and fats for maximum recovery. Focus on using high-quality ingredients, such as fresh vegetables and lean proteins, rather than restricting your calorie intake. Avoid booze and quick food. Drinking too much alcohol is unhealthy, and even little amounts might thin the blood before surgery, which can increase bleeding and bruises. It is advised to avoid alcohol for a week or two before and after surgery, and to only consume it in moderation up to around two weeks prior to surgery.
2. Quit Smoking
Blood oxygen levels and the efficiency of blood flow through the arteries are impacted by smoking. Healing requires blood that is oxygen-rich and has unrestricted arteries and veins. Don’t try to disguise the fact that you smoke during the consultation; instead, be honest about how you currently use tobacco, gum, other tobacco products, or vaporizers. Before surgery, UVA plastic surgeons will advise complete cessation of these, and they’ll probably advise that you consider cessation options with your primary physician.
3. Exercise
Prior to having cosmetic surgery, it is not advised to start a new or more intense training routine. Maintaining your present level of fitness is more important than engaging in risky exercises. In particular for surgeries like a stomach tuck, place an emphasis on core (back and abdominal) muscle stretching and strengthening.
After elective cosmetic surgery, patients usually take a few weeks off from exercise before being carefully reintroduced to a routine over a period of time that has been carefully calculated. This routine usually begins with low-impact cardio workouts before being gradually increased to eventually include any type of strenuous exercise.
4. Stock Up on Post-Surgery Supplies
The period of recovery is best for inactive pursuits. Before your surgery, make sure to load up on a lot of books, periodicals, or movies. Avoid picking movies that might cause you to laugh aloud. Although during the initial stages of recovery, placing a soft pillow over the surgical region, such as the breasts or abdomen, can aid with laughing, coughing, or sneezing.
There will be certain restrictions on leaving your house and climbing stairs during the first several days. You can experience restrictions when it comes to bending over and lifting after various treatments. Before your surgery, make sure to pick up your meds in advance and stock up on extra supplies like single-serving snacks, moisturizing skin wipes, cozy apparel, ice packs, and traction socks.
Making sure goods in your kitchen, bathroom, and other areas are at a convenient level rather than up on shelves or on the floor may be a good idea if you are not going to have someone with you during the early stages of recovery. Although smiling, coughing, or sneezing during the initial stages of recovery may be made easier by placing a soft pillow over the surgical region, such as the breasts or abdomen.
5. Book Post-Op care like Lymphatic Massage
Plastic surgeons routinely advise lymphatic drainage massage during the healing process following cosmetic surgeries. By lowering post-surgical edema and fibrosis, it shortens recovery time and enhances outcomes (scar tissue formation). For more expedited outcomes, add Cosmetic Kinesio Taping to your treatment plan.
When necessary, new channels are formed and broken lymphatic pathways are repaired thanks to lymph drainage. In scars and adhesions, routes can be rebuilt over time. In terms of surgery and general health, this leads to restored health, optimal flow, and vigor.