AESTHETICS

PROCEDURE planning

PREPARING FOR PLASTIC SURGERY IN THE NEW YEAR

BY ANNETTE BROOKS

You’ve decided to make your dream a reality and have cosmetic

plastic surgery in the New Year. The next step, leading up to the big day, involves some basic preparation and planning. We’ve put together a few suggestions to help make your experience positive and rewarding. FOSTER A POSITIVE MINDSET

Cosmetic surgery is a journey. Start by refl ecting on your “why.” Get something done because it’s what you want for yourself, not because someone else wants you to do it, to save a relationship, or because you want to impress or make someone jealous.

It’s also essential to have realistic expectations. Go into a plastic surgery consult with an open mind. Speak candidly with your surgeon, share your goals and concerns, then listen as they compare recommendations and options. Building a trusting rapport with your plastic surgeon and the team helps ensure you have a good overall experience and are happy with your results. TEND TO YOUR HEALTH A mad dash to get everything ready at the last minute creates stress and can make you physically rundown. Give yourself permission to take it easy and practice self-care. Talk with your family about your needs and plans and what you expect from them. They should be on board and support your efforts. Eat healthily, drink lots of water, and stay physically active. Avoid fast and highly processed foods and increase protein and fi ber intake. Get plenty of sleep. If you feel anxious, enjoy a massage and practice relaxation techniques. Avoid consuming alcohol and stop taking medications like NSAIDs and supplements that can hinder blood clotting. If you smoke, please stop. Your body needs a healthy supply of oxygen to heal. Smoking hinders this. CREATE A PERSONAL RECOVERY PLAN

Even if you have a procedure that usually requires a minimal recovery period, create a plan and build some cushion into it. Your plastic surgeon will educate you on what to expect during recovery and provide guidelines. Prepare to follow them and be patient. You’re not a superhero. Make accommodations for time away from work and family responsibilities, and don’t be shy about enlisting help from family and friends. Arrange for childcare. Plan meals in advance. Make healthy dishes and freeze them or create a nightly menu for food delivery with healthy options. If you live alone, schedule someone to come in and help you for as long as it takes. This is your time to rest and heal. Before surgery day, gather items to keep nearby while you recuperate, such as books, movies, tissues, medications, bottles of water, and your cell phone charger.

Planning on Cosmetic Tourism?

The promise of low-cost treatments in another country combined with an allinclusive vacation is tempting. Sadly, countless people have paid a high price for this decision, either with their lives or dealing with botched results that require expensive revision surgery. Even if you feel you’ve thoroughly researched the physician and facility, you can still encounter communication issues, poor infection control and drug-resistant bacteria, inadequate screening of blood products, falsified credentials, or outdated medications. Continuity of care is also a concern. Any surgery carries risks. If complications arise, who is going to provide care when you’re back home, and at what cost? Finally, remember that medical tourism is unregulated. There are plenty of highly reputable, board-certified plastic surgeons in your area with exceptional credentials and proven track records of quality outcomes to choose from. A positive, safe experience and results you’re happy with are priceless.