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So you’ve decided to undergo cosmetic surgery to enhance your appearance. You may have already scheduled a consultation with a plastic surgeon, or maybe you are still learning about your preferred procedure(s).
Either way, planning ahead is crucial to help ensure a smooth experience.
5 Steps to Take for a Successful Surgery and Recovery
Cosmetic surgery can dramatically improve your confidence by addressing one or more of your aesthetic concerns. Follow these steps to help you achieve the desired results with as few complications as possible.
1. Research Your Plastic Surgeon
Choosing a highly-skilled, experienced, and reputable board-certified plastic surgeon is essential to your success. Check their credentials on their website and do a Google search for any reviews that may exist.
When you schedule your consultation, don’t be anxious about asking to see before and after photos of your chosen procedure(s).
They should listen carefully to your concerns and goals (which you must be very clear about), and explain in detail how your procedure will work along with the results you can expect.
When you do decide on a surgeon, follow their instructions closely.
2. Quit Smoking
If you smoke, vape, or use nicotine products of any kind, you’ll have to quit several weeks before your surgery.
This is necessary to avoid blood clots and poor wound healing, which can negatively impact both your health and your results.
You can seek help through a support group, such as 1-800-NO-BUTTS, or use prescription medication to help you quit if appropriate, but do not use nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges, as they all still deliver nicotine into your body.
3. Secure Enough Obligation-Free Time for Your Procedure and Recovery
Plan to take up to two weeks off work unless you have a job that requires strenuous activity or heavy lifting, in which case you may have to take up to four weeks off.
Plan for this time the way you would an extended vacation, and if you have young children, make sure to have help with them throughout your recovery.
For the first two days of recovery, having a family member or friend stay and help you with routine tasks is extremely beneficial.
4. Don’t Take Aspirin or Ibuprofen – Do Take Arnica
Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other medications that may increase bleeding should not be ingested for at least one week before surgery. This helps reduce blood loss during surgery and helps in the healing process.
To minimize swelling and bruising, consider taking Arnica Montana and Bromelain four days prior to surgery and for the four days after. Take four pills, four times per day for the Arnica and one twice daily for Bromelain.
These herbs are available at health food stores and some drug stores.
5. Attend Your Pre-operative Testing Appointment and Office Visit
You will be scheduled for a pre-op visit with the surgeon and have testing to ensure that you are healthy enough for the procedure. Your doctor will not proceed with the surgery unless these tests are performed in time.
The surgeon will provide you with further instructions just before your surgery date.
Included in these instructions will be the need to arrange for a ride to and from your procedure as you will not be able to drive.
More Supportive Measures
In addition to the above traditional advice, recent studies have shown that alternative health modalities such as Reiki and mediation can dramatically improve the recovery process when the patient engages in these practices before and following surgery.
Advice From Miami’s Own Boob God™ – Dr. Leonard Hochstein
Celebrity plastic surgeon Leonard Hochstein has produced such stunning results that he is known as the Boob God™. Here he is with his own specific tips for an ideal surgical experience.
Dr. Hochstein is currently accepting new patients and welcomes you to call our Miami office with questions or to schedule a consultation at (305) 931-3338.