It is completely normal to feel anxious and nervous ahead of any form of medical treatment, but particularly so when it is a procedure that you have not experienced before. Most patients find that feeling prepared can go a long way to help quell their stress about their forthcoming cosmetic surgery.
To help alleviate your worries, here is what you need to know about how to prepare for a liposuction procedure.
PHYSICAL PREPARATION FOR LIPOSUCTION
You should start the physical preparations for liposuction at least two weeks ahead of your procedure, although the earlier the better.
Stop smoking
Smoking is bad for our health, but it also has a significant effect on how well we heal, including post-surgery healing. Smoking also reduces the blood flow to the skin, and this can affect the overall outcome from your surgery. Once you stop, don’t start again. Your body and bank balance will thank you for it!
Get the right nutrition and drink plenty of water
A healthy, balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, healthy fats and a little carbohydrate is essential for getting your body in tip top condition before your surgery. Make sure you drink plenty of water too. This will help flush out any germs and benefit your overall health and wellbeing.
Stop taking medications wherever possible
Obviously, you will need to consult with our doctor as to which medications to stop, but many can interact with other drugs you may be given after your procedure. You should stop taking all aspirin (including ibuprofen), NSAIDs and cold/sinus medications. If you are taking anything that compromises your bloods ability to clot this will also need to be stopped. Be sure to go through your list of medications with our doctor in detail during your consultation.
Get your home prepared for the post-surgical period
One of the best things that you can do to be prepared is to organize your home so that you have all of the supplies that you need while you rest and heal. This includes gauze pads and other medical equipment, compression garments, frozen meals and entertainment – anything that makes your recovery period easier will be extremely beneficial!
EMOTIONAL PREPARATION FOR LIPOSUCTION
It is all very well being physically prepared for liposuction and following the pre-procedure instructions given to you by our doctor, but it is just as important for your psychological wellbeing to be emotionally prepared for this cosmetic surgery too.
The recovery period after liposuction
Any sort of surgery is obviously invasive, and for this reason you need to understand the implications of the recovery period, which can take several weeks or longer and may involve some days of discomfort. You can take pain relief medications to manage this but having awareness of the limitations and feelings you are likely to experience after your procedure will help you feel better prepared and more able to cope.
The risks associated with liposuction
Although liposuction is generally a very safe and straightforward procedure, there is a small element of risk involved. These tend to be common surgical complications such as infection, reactions to anesthesia, nerve damage, bleeding and scarring. Our doctor will discuss these risks with you to put your mind at ease, but as with all medical procedures, you can help minimize the likelihood of complications by following our doctor’s post-operative care advice.
The results of your liposuction
You also need to understand the limitations associated with liposuction. Although it will transform certain aspects of your appearance, tightening up the areas of your body you choose to focus on, it is not a way to lose weight. Therefore, you must have realistic expectations as to the outcome of your procedure. Those patients who expect sudden, dramatic change such as a drop from a size 10 to a size 4 are setting themselves up for disappointment.
If you have any further questions about preparing for liposuction, our knowledgeable team would be pleased to answer them for you. Feel free to contact our offices at your convenience.
