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Whether you're undergoing skin restoration, body contouring, breast enhancement, or facial rejuvenation, you're probably concerned about the recovery period after your plastic surgery. But what you may not know is that taking care of yourself before your procedure can help shorten and improve your recovery time. If you're not sure what to do before the big day, these five tips can help your prepare for your treatment, so you wind up with the successful results you want. 1. Listen to Your Doctor Before your plastic surgery, your doctor will provide pre-op and post-op instructions for your specific procedures. They typically include medications, supplements, and other drugs that you should not take in the days or weeks leading up to your treatment, as well as other activities that should be avoided. Follow these instructions to a tee as they are essential if you want your procedure to be successful. If you have any questions, call the doctor's office, so you know exactly what to do. 2. Eat and Drink Well You want your body to be in good health before plastic surgery, so you're better prepared to undergo and recover from the procedure. Maintaining a healthy weight is important, which means it's important to eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Protein is also essential because it helps with building and repairing cells throughout the body. You should also make sure that you're properly hydrated before your operation. Drink plenty of water in the week leading up to your appointment. Aim for at least eight 8-oz. glasses a day - and keep it up after the procedure too! It's good for your health in general. 3. Stop Smoking and Drinking We all know that smoking is bad for our health, but it's particularly dangerous before plastic surgery. That's because it can adversely affect circulation, damage the skin, and slow healing. In fact, some doctors may refuse to operate on smokers entirely because of the risks involved. If you are a smoker, try to refrain for at least three weeks before the operation and think about giving up the habit for good. You should also avoid alcoholic beverages for 24 to 72 hours before your procedure - ask your doctor for specifics. 4. Be Careful with Medication and Supplements At your pre-op appointment, disclose all of the medications and supplements, both prescription and over-the-counter, that you're taking. Some of these may affect your healing by increasing bleeding, swelling, and bruising, so you may need to discontinue their use in the days or weeks before plastic surgery. In particular, pain relievers, such as aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen, vitamin E, fish oil, and St. John's wort can cause problems. 5. Get the House Ready After your procedure, you may be too sore to move around much, so it's important to get your house ready for your recovery a day or two before your operation. Ensure that your home is clean, and set up your bedroom or living room with all of the supplies you'll need, such as pain medication, antibiotics, and a phone, so they're within easy reach. Make sure that you have plenty of prepared foods in your refrigerator and ice packs in the freezer to help with swelling. It's also a good idea to ask a friend or family to stay over a night or two, so you'll have some help if you're in discomfort. If you follow these simple steps, your surgery and recovery should be a much easier process. When considering plastic surgery, Birmingham, AL residents go to Clinton Plastic Surgery. To learn more, visit http://clintonplasticsurgery.com/.
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