If you’re planning for cosmetic plastic surgery, either at our Los Angeles practice or elsewhere, being as healthy as possible before undergoing the procedure is an important goal.
Being your healthiest self before plastic surgery, whether it’s rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, a tummy tuck, or any other procedure, is important because it can help ease your recovery and reduce discomfort. We’ve heard a lot about the importance of the body’s immune system and eating well, and leading a healthy lifestyle gives a boost to that system.
Getting Healthy
Patients who have scheduled a body contouring procedure can hold themselves accountable for improving their figures by exercising for an hour each day. Write down your goals in an exercise logbook, recording your progress by noting the time spent exercising and logging your weight daily.
This commitment is especially helpful for anyone undergoing surgery, such as a tummy tuck, mommy makeover, or other body contouring procedure, who has a body mass index (BMI) that may put them at risk. Patients with a BMI of 30 or higher aren’t good candidates for surgery.
Lowering your BMI also involves adopting a healthy diet. This starts with staying hydrated. Drink water instead of sugary drinks. You should also limit or avoid alcoholic beverages and consume plenty of fruits and vegetables. Limit your intake of salt, sugar, and fat, and eat whole grains rather than refined foods. You can get more information about how to eat healthily from the World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet.
Even if you don’t belong to a gym, it’s possible to get outside to exercise. Take brisk walks if you’re not a runner. Be sure to protect your skin from the sun when you’re outside.
Use this opportunity to quit smoking. You need to stop smoking for several weeks before the day of your surgery anyways. Why not make the change permanent?
The steps you take to improve your health today can develop into lifelong habits instead of just a crash preparation for cosmetic surgery. Take lemons and make lemonade.
If you have questions about your upcoming surgery, we’re here to answer them. You can call us at (310) 300-1779. Or contact us using the online form. We offer virtual consultations to patients who are more comfortable discussing your upcoming procedure from home.
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