Whether you are planning on having a breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction or facelift, there are a lot of things to take into consideration before committing to setting a date for a plastic surgery procedure. These procedures have been perfected over the years and Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Waltzman is an expert when it comes to taking care of his patients. However, there are some things you will need to do on your own to properly prepare.
Scheduling
Make sure to schedule your procedure when you are healthy and feeling your best as a strong immune system will aid in a quick recovery. You will also want to navigate around your work and home obligations. A doctor’s note can be provided if needed. If you happen to have small children, finding someone to help out with them for the first few weeks is necessary as you will most likely not be able to lift or carry them post procedure.
Discontinue Certain Medications
Blood thinning medications such as Aspirin need to be discontinued two weeks prior to your procedure. Also, some supplements such as Vitamin E, fish oil, garlic, ginger etc. should also be discontinued. You will be given a list of medications to stop taking and this will be discussed in your pre-operative appointment.
No Smoking or Alcohol Intake
If you happen to smoke, smoking needs to be stopped prior to your surgery. Dr. Waltzman will discuss how many weeks you need to be smoke free before and after surgery. Also, no alcohol should be consumed 72 hours before your procedure. Alcohol tends to weaken the immune system and smoking constricts the blood vessels and lessens the amount of oxygen to the body’s cells. This will also deter a quick recovery and can cause major complications during and/or after surgery.
Make sure to have a support person
Before your procedure it is a good idea to inform a close family member or friend regarding what you are planning. This person should be a positive support for you before, during and after the procedure so choose them wisely. And, as mentioned above, if you have small children this person should be willing
to help out in that aspect as well as helping you with your aftercare which can include but is not limited to driving, bandage changes, showering, and tracking post-operative medication intake.
Healing Station
It could be the couch, or maybe you will decide to stay in bed. Either way, your ‘at home healing station’ should be clean, comfortable and fully stocked with books, movies and a bathroom that is easily accessible. It is also important to have your kitchen stocked with foods and beverages of your preference. Make sure to drink plenty of water and try to relax as much as possible for optimal healing.
It is our goal to answer all of your questions about how to prepare for your procedure. This typically takes place in your consultations and in the pre-operative appointment. Feel free to give us a call anytime if you have further questions or concerns. We are here to make this journey go as smooth as possible. (562) 448-6100
