The general public have become more tolerant of cosmetic surgery. Declining prices have made these procedures more accessible to the wider population. Both men and women now elect to transform their bodies through a private procedure. Before your cosmetic procedure you must consider each stage of the surgery and ascertain how you need to prepare for it.
What about my Health?
All types of surgery need a healthy body. You should get a health check from your doctor first. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions it’s important to inform your surgeon. Patients with heart defects are not good candidates for surgery, and the risk of complications increases. It’s up to the clinic as to whether they decide to push forward with surgery.
Do You Know about the Procedure?
Obviously, you know the results of your procedure. What patients often fail to find out is how the procedure works. Exactly what’s going to happen on the day? If you have a deathly fear of needles a Botox injection wouldn’t be an ideal procedure. You need to know how the surgeon performs the surgery before going ahead with it.
The mind and body must be calm. A great source of disquiet is ignorance. If you don’t know what’s going to happen you can create all these wild scenarios in your head. A patient who’s scared isn’t in the right frame of mind for surgery.
Ask your doctor as many questions as possible. You won’t sound silly if you ask what you believe is an inane question. Your doctor is there to help you.
Preparing for Post-Operative Treatment
Most surgeries have some form of aftercare attached. Unless it’s a non-invasive procedure you’ll most likely have to spend some time in hospital whilst your body heals although it would be good to find out more about what happens in post-operative treatment after undergoing a facelift.
Pack for your stay in hospital. Make sure you have all your clothes and toiletries with you. It’s best to do this the night before the surgery so you aren’t pushed for time in the morning.
You should also make arrangements for continuing your recovery at home. Expect some swelling around the affected area. Have some ice packs on-hand for when you return home. For the first few weeks, you should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Smoking decreases the rate at which your body can heal itself. And alcohol may react badly with any painkilling medication you’re taking.
Proper Support
On the day of the surgery and in the immediate aftermath you might feel emotional because you’ve gone through what might be your first ever surgery. Make arrangements for a close family member or friend to pick you up from the hospital and take you home. Surround yourself with a support system so you don’t dwell on the surgery and any of the after-effects.
Surgery doesn’t need to be difficult or complex. The important thing is to prepare adequately for your aftercare. By having everything ready and in position for when you leave the operating theatre, you can concentrate on your recovery and enjoying the new you.
Photo Credit: Flickr/Rick Stilwell
