3 Minute Read:
Plastic surgery is often sought not only to change the way our body or face looks but to increase our confidence levels.
To reduce risks and increase your chances of achieving and maintaining excellent results, following the surgeon’s instructions before and after are essential.
In addition to this compliance, you can take some holistic steps to ensure the experience is highly satisfying for your mind, body, and soul.
What to Do Before Plastic Surgery
Being at or near your ideal weight and not smoking are two criteria for patients seeking most plastic surgeries. If you need help with weight loss, using a holistic approach can be a catalyst for a healthier lifestyle all around.
Food allergies and hormone imbalances can negatively affect your life even when they are not life-threatening, and they can cause a myriad of problems, including weight gain or loss. Getting these under control can help you reach your ideal weight prior to your plastic surgery.
If you smoke, quitting often requires help, and you should seek assistance through any healthy means possible. This aid may come in through patches, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, or a meaningful support system.
Besides possible weight loss and smoking cessation, other ways to prepare for surgery include detoxifying your body, attending to your peace of mind, and reducing anxiety.
Some plastic surgeons are affiliated with or run their own medspas, and this is a great place to start. Look for a facility that offers the following:
- Digestive health
- Food allergy treatment
- Hormone panels and wellness screening
- Medically supervised weight loss
- Medically guided detoxification
- Mood enhancement
- Sleep and energy optimization
- Stress management
- IV therapy
What to Do After a Plastic Surgery
Follow your doctor’s post-surgical instructions, wear your compression garment, don’t smoke, and don’t take aspirin, NSAIDs, or any supplements that can increase bleeding.
The Importance of Massage After a Breast Augmentation
While massage is not always recommended for every procedure, it’s helpful for some, including some breast augmentation cases. The pressure applied during post-augmentation massages can smooth out lumps and help prevent capsular contracture, a painful and restrictive complication of a breast implant surgery.
Dr. Hochstein will provide detailed instructions on how to correctly squeeze the implant if a massage is appropriate for your specific breast augmentation case. Breast massages should NOT be performed after a breast revision, a breast lift, or if a Meso BioMatrix® is used during your surgery.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic drainage massages are designed to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Cosmetic surgery patients experience significant inflammation due to work performed in that area. After a liposuction or a tummy tuck procedure, this type of massage is quite beneficial to eliminate liquid that accumulates and hardens, leading to fibrosis.
Fibrosis refers to balls and lumps that you can feel under your skin one to two weeks after your procedure. These massages also promote better circulation, which reduces edema and helps soften the skin’s texture for better healing.
Lymphatic drainage massages should only be performed by licensed and experienced massage therapists.
Other Ways to Support Your Surgical Results
Alternative health practices like yoga and Reiki have also proven helpful for surgical patients before and after their procedures. If you are inclined to use these methods, it’s worth trying, not only for surgery but for other holistic benefits as well.
A Leader in Plastic Surgery
Dr. Leonard Hochstein believes in treating the whole person and provides many services to support your physical and aesthetic health. Call our office or Medspa today to learn more about the different ways we can help you become a better version of yourself.