| Deciding to undergo plastic surgery is an important and | | | | not reality. Immediate recovery, in terms of being able |
| often life-changing decision. It should not be taken lightly. | | | | to care for yourself and move about can be relatively |
| Here are ten important things to remember to do prior | | | | quick depending on the procedure, but recovery to the |
| to your procedure, whether it be a breast | | | | point where a patient will feel comfortable going about |
| augmentation, face lift or liposuction. | | | | regular activities can be significantly longer. For |
| #1: Research both your doctor and facility. | | | | example, rhinoplasty typically has a relatively quick |
| Educate yourself about where you will be having your | | | | recovery time - just a few days - but many patients |
| plastic surgery procedure and who will be performing it. | | | | experience bruising under the eyes for three weeks or |
| Be sure that the facility is a fully accredited and | | | | so. For procedures such as a tummy tuck, patients |
| licensed facility for plastic surgery procedures. When it | | | | often recover within a week, but cannot lift up their |
| comes to researching your doctor, a good place to | | | | children for at least 2 weeks, sometimes more. Talk to |
| start is plasticsurgery.org. There you will find a | | | | your doctor about "full recovery" and the stages in |
| database of Board Certified Plastic Surgeons. By | | | | between so you have realistic expectation. Another |
| choosing a board certified surgeon you know that he | | | | great way to learn about recovery is to visit forums, |
| or she has undergone extensive post graduate studies | | | | such as RealSelf.com, where real patients discuss their |
| in this highly specialized field and has been approved | | | | experiences. |
| by the medical board for both skill and ethics. | | | | #7: Quit smoking at least 2 weeks prior to your |
| #2: Visit multiple doctors before committing to a | | | | procedure. |
| surgeon. | | | | Smoking and plastic surgery do not go together. In fact, |
| After doing your research, it is advised that you visit at | | | | smoking can be detrimental to your recovery and |
| least 3 different plastic surgeons. This way you can | | | | results. First of all, smoking thins the blood which can |
| obtain additional information that may not have been | | | | cause problems during the procedure. It also does not |
| discussed in prior consultations. It will also allow you to | | | | allow the body to heal properly, which can lead to |
| compare and decide which surgeon you feel will | | | | complications, unfavorable scarring and less desirable |
| provide you with the best care and help you achieve | | | | results. It is recommended that patients quit smoking |
| your desired results. | | | | for at least 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after |
| #3: Learn about the various techniques available for | | | | surgery, preferably longer. |
| your procedure. | | | | #8: Take Arnica tablets two days prior to surgery to |
| Various techniques are available for all plastic surgery | | | | help prevent swelling and bruising. |
| procedures. Be sure to ask your surgeon about your | | | | Arnica Montana is a natural product used to reduce |
| options and why the technique that was selected is | | | | swelling and bruising. Many different types of Arnica |
| best suited for you. | | | | are available for purchase, including teas, tablets, |
| #4: Ask your doctor about potential risks and side | | | | creams and pills. The surgeons at California Surgical |
| effects, as well as how complications will be handled. | | | | Institute recommend Boiron's Arnica Montana tablets |
| When discussing the pros and cons with your doctor | | | | because they has been specifically designed for plastic |
| be sure to get a detailed explanation about all of the | | | | surgery procedures. It should be taken two days prior |
| risks and side effects. It is important to know how to | | | | to surgery. |
| detect and react to any complications. It is also | | | | #9: Designate a friend or family member to care for |
| important to know the surgeon's protocol in the event | | | | you following surgery. |
| a complication arises. Be sure to discuss any additional | | | | Following any plastic surgery procedure, a driver is |
| fees that may arise. | | | | required to take you home because it takes a |
| #5: Be sure to tell your doctor about your medical | | | | significant amount of time for the local or general |
| history. Don't leave anything out. | | | | anesthesia to leave your system. It is recommended |
| This is extremely important! If you don't disclose your | | | | to have a friend or family member stay with you for |
| medical history to your surgeon your run the risk of | | | | the first 24 hours following your procedure in case any |
| experiencing complication, which in some cases can be | | | | complications may arise. Patients will also most likely |
| fatal. Not only can plastic surgery cause concerns | | | | need help moving about, particularly immediately |
| amongst patients with a medical history of high blood | | | | following a tummy tuck or breast augmentation. |
| pressure, heart problems and the like, certain | | | | #10: Maintain exercise and healthy eating habits after |
| medications do not interact well with anesthesia used | | | | surgery. |
| during the procedure - this includes local anesthesia | | | | Procedures such as liposuction or abdominoplasty |
| too. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor so that he | | | | (tummy tuck) are not meant to be used as a means |
| or she can clear you for surgery and go over any | | | | of weight loss. In order to maintain the results of your |
| precautions you may need to take. | | | | plastic surgery procedure, you will need to maintain a |
| #6: Research realistic downtime after your procedures | | | | healthy diet and exercise regimen. Although fat cells |
| as well as limitations after surgery. | | | | are permanently removed after liposuction, new fat |
| It is not uncommon for many practices to advertise | | | | cells in the area that was liposuctioned can develop if |
| the "weekend facelift". Although this sounds good, it is | | | | you gain weight. |