While it is always important to be as healthy as possible, it is especially important before your cosmetic surgery. Several weeks before your scheduled procedure, you should start making changes to your diet and lifestyle that will aid in your recovery. A healthy body heals faster and gives you the best results possible.
Cut Out the Cigarettes
One of the best things you can do to optimize your surgical recovery is to stop smoking. Smoking affects your blood oxygen levels negatively, and your tissues need proper oxygenation to heal. Smoking can also increase the risk of serious scarring from your wound re-opening.
Take Vitamin Supplements
For several weeks before your surgery, you should take high amounts of selenium, vitamin A, copper, vitamin C and zinc. All of these vitamins are crucial to immune system support and wound healing. The more complicated the surgery, such as a facelift or tummy tuck, the more important supplementation is.
Stop Taking These Supplements
Some supplements can cause problems with bleeding, interfere with anesthesia, interact with prescription drugs or cause cardiovascular irregularities. Stop taking the following supplements at least two weeks before surgery:
Eat the Right Foods
Most plastic surgeons recommend that if you need to lose weight, you should do it before surgery. In any case, you should cut out all processed carbs and reduce sugar, salt and unhealthy fats to a bare minimum. Healthy foods to include in your diet are
Avoid Alcohol and Drink Plenty of Water
Tissues need water to heal properly, and alcohol is a diuretic which can leave you dehydrated, so don't consume alcohol for at least 72 hours before surgery. Drink at least 64 ounces of pure water every day for at least a week before your surgery.
Being as healthy as possible before your cosmetic procedure can shorten your healing time and give you better overall results. Following strict rules about diet, nutrition and lifestyle may seem extreme, but this is your appearance you're talking about, so you want to do whatever you can to aid your body in becoming all you want it to be. Talk to a plastic surgeon like John Gatti MD for any special instructions he or she may have in addition to this healthy overall plan.
Share14 January 2016
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