Preparing for Surgery
Preparing for surgery can both help you physically during the surgery as well as ease your recovery time. By being physically healthy prior to your surgery as well as eliminating certain medications and supplements, you can ensure that your body can respond positively to any anesthesia, that your blood can clot appropriately after the surgery and that your cells get all the oxygen and nutrients they need during the healing process. What steps can you take to prepare for surgery?- Have someone to help you. You'll need someone to drive you home after your surgery. We also recommend having someone with you the first 24 to 48 hours after the surgery.
- Stop smoking. If you smoke we recommend stopping smoking one month prior to surgery. Smoking or any other type of nicotine ingestion hampers your body's ability to transport oxygen through the blood stream. Oxygen is important during surgery as well as during the recovery time. If your cells can't get the oxygen they need, your recovery time will be slower. Smoking can also interfere with anesthesia as well as your body's response to the surgery itself. By having cosmetic surgery done you are taking a step to improve yourself. Take the next step as well: quit smoking.
- Make sure you are healthy. If your immune system is compromised or if you have diabetes make sure that your condition is under control before having surgery. Diabetes can compromise your body's ability to heal itself. Your immune system will need to be very healthy as well to help combat infection as well as to aid in overall healing.
- Refrain from certain medications and vitamins. You should stop taking aspirin or aspirin-containing products at least two weeks before your surgery. Also, Dr. Schaffer may ask you to avoid certain vitamins or supplements such as Vitamin E or St. John's Wort.
