Naturally, prospective patients find themselves extensively researching the facts on what to expect during and after liposuction surgery. However, how to prepare for liposuction beforehand often gets overlooked!
At Synergy Plastic Surgery, our board-certified plastic surgeons combine substantial training with extensive hands-on experience to help their patients look fit and firm. We use the latest innovative techniques to create results that appear effortless and natural. At Synergy, you’ll find the right combination of talent and technology for achieving the best in cosmetic enhancement. Nevertheless, there are some steps you can take beforehand to ensure you obtain the best aesthetic results from your plastic surgery procedure!
Watch Your Diet
It is always advisable to maintain a healthy diet, however when preparing for body contouring surgery such as liposuction, it is of utmost importance! When you maintain a healthy diet prior to surgery, you are essentially boosting your health and promoting better healing after surgery, while also increasing your skins elasticity. It is best to ensure that you are consuming foods that are high in antioxidants.
According to the National Library of Medicine, antioxidants work to remove harmful free radicals that exist in your bloodstream. Free radicals are the toxic byproducts that are the result of the body turning food into energy and can in turn damage the DNA and impair the immune system. Your immune system health is vital in recovering from a surgical procedure!
Foods that are high in antioxidants include:
- Berries, such as blackberries, blueberries, and acai
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Healthy oils, such as olive oil
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Squashes, such as pumpkin and zucchini
- Certain spices, such as cinnamon and turmeric
Gradually incorporating these foods into your diet will help ensure that you are consuming a healthy and well balanced diet that is high in antioxidants!
Stop the Use of Nicotine
It is no secret that the use of nicotine is well known to sabotage your surgical results. This is due to the restriction of your blood vessels caused by nicotine smoke. It ultimately decreases the blood flow throughout your body. According to the World Health Organization, smoking greatly increases risk of complications after surgery. “Smoking distorts a patient’s immune system and can delay healing, increasing the risk of infection at the wound site. Smoking just one cigarette decreases the body’s ability to deliver necessary nutrients for healing after surgery.”
If you are a smoker, it is vital that you refrain from smoking prior to surgery in order to give your body time to adjust. Recovery after plastic surgery is an extremely delicate process, and your blood vessels play a major role in the results. If the blood vessels are restricted, the results are compromised.
Blood flow can affect several factors of your recovery such as how quickly you heal, to how high your risk of developing a blood clot is. To ensure a safe surgery and recovery, it is vital that you stop smoking as soon as you decide to move forward with your liposuction procedure.
Hit Your Goal Weight
It is important to note that liposuction is not a sole form of weight loss. For this reason, it is advisable that prospective patients be within 10 pounds of their goal weight to enhance your aesthetic results! Note that there is no specific number you should reach on the scale, patients should mainly aim to reach their target weight (or at least get close to it) several months before your surgery.
Bear in mind that achieving your goal weight not the same as achieving your ideal body. Many people still deal with stubborn excess fat in specific areas, even after reaching or nearing their target weight. This is where liposuction can aid in obtaining beautiful, satisfactory results.
Build Muscle
While working towards nearing your target weight, paired with surgically removing exercise-resistant fat via liposuction can surely help you attain a slimmer physique- the underlying muscles that are revealed following this procedure will depend entirely on the definition that are already exists! This means that it will be up to you to tone the underlying muscles that this procedure may reveal. For example, if you are aiming to achieve “six-pack” abs, then it is advisable to tone and build that muscle group to reveal toned definition. Liposuction works towards removing the stubborn fat that rests above those muscles and ultimately covers them up!
For best results, it is advisable to begin building muscle definition several months before your procedure. This will not only improve the look of your results after surgery, but it will also improve your strength and allow for faster healing.
Prepare Your Home
We’ve saved the best for last, as most may find this the easiest step to preparation prior for liposuction surgery. Though down time after liposuction is generally minimal, it is advisable that you take a few days off rest and recover. Here are some steps you can take to prepare for a relaxing recovery at home:
- Stocking up on healthy foods that are easy to eat and prepare.
At first, it may be advisable to stick to easy to eat foods like smoothies or soups, then gradually work towards resuming a normal healthy diet. In the meantime, it may help to meal prep, or have foods that are easily accessible and simple to prepare to avoid time, hassle, and unnecessary movement.
- Organizing your wardrobe so comfortable clothes are easy to find.
You’ll want to opt for loose, comfortable clothing. If your wardrobe is similar to that of Narnia, then it may be a good idea to reorganize. Keep your comfy clothes front and center to avoid the hassle of digging through endless drawers!
- Putting essential items within easy reach of your bed
This will allow you to avoid unnecessary stretching when resting. Preparation can include getting extra-long charge cords for your electronic devices, ensuring the remote control is within reach, and other essentials such as glasses or your laptop and charger.
- Arranging for help with children or pets
It is advisable that movement be kept to a minimum for a certain period of time after surgery. For your safety, arrange for help with children and pets to avoid injury.
Above all, our board-certified plastic surgeons will ensure that you are aware of all additional steps that they would suggest helping you get your home recovery ready!
A little bit of extra work beforehand will ensure excellent, beautiful, and lasting results!
Although it might seem excessive or bothersome to consider these variables prior to your liposuction procedure, note that their purpose is to give you the best possible starting point for recovery and lasting results. To learn more about liposuction, our previous blog post answers common questions about the procedure.
If you’re ready to find out how liposuction can improve your look, request a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. We serve patients from San Antonio, Killeen, Austin, and neighboring Texas communities like Cedar Park, Leander, and Pflugerville – and proudly offer complimentary consultations at our South Austin, Round Rock, and Westlake clinics. Call (512) 244-1444 to unlock your Synergy Experience today!
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