Table of Contents
Your Preparation Journey
Proper preparation is essential for a safe, successful plastic surgery experience and optimal recovery. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to prepare for your procedure, from medical clearance to mental preparation.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon in Boca Raton, I’ve seen how proper preparation significantly impacts outcomes. This article provides detailed guidance to help you prepare thoroughly for your procedure.
Medical Preparation
Medical Clearance
Before surgery:
- Primary Care: Visit your primary care physician
- Medical Evaluation: Complete medical evaluation
- Lab Work: Complete required lab work
- Clearance: Obtain medical clearance
- Optimization: Optimize any medical conditions
Medication Review
Review all medications:
- Current Medications: List all current medications
- Supplements: Include all supplements
- Surgeon Review: Surgeon reviews all medications
- Adjustments: Make necessary adjustments
- Instructions: Follow medication instructions
Health Optimization
Optimize your health:
- Chronic Conditions: Manage chronic conditions
- Nutrition: Ensure good nutrition
- Hydration: Stay well-hydrated
- Exercise: Maintain appropriate exercise
- Health Goals: Achieve health goals
Lifestyle Preparation
Smoking Cessation
If you smoke:
- Quit Smoking: Must quit smoking before surgery
- Timing: Quit at least 4-6 weeks before
- Support: Get support for quitting
- Healing: Critical for proper healing
- Complications: Reduces complication risk
Alcohol
Alcohol considerations:
- Limit Alcohol: Limit or avoid alcohol
- Timing: Avoid before surgery
- Recovery: Avoid during recovery
- Healing: Affects healing
- Instructions: Follow surgeon’s instructions
Nutrition
Nutritional preparation:
- Balanced Diet: Eat balanced, nutritious diet
- Protein: Ensure adequate protein
- Vitamins: Optimize vitamin levels
- Hydration: Stay well-hydrated
- Pre-Surgery: Follow pre-surgery diet instructions
Practical Preparation
Support System
Arrange support:
- Help at Home: Arrange help for recovery
- Childcare: Arrange childcare if needed
- Transportation: Arrange transportation
- Meals: Prepare meals in advance
- Errands: Arrange help with errands
Recovery Space
Prepare recovery space:
- Comfortable Area: Create comfortable recovery area
- Supplies: Gather necessary supplies
- Entertainment: Prepare entertainment options
- Accessibility: Ensure easy accessibility
- Comfort: Maximize comfort
Work and Responsibilities
Plan for:
- Time Off: Arrange adequate time off work
- Responsibilities: Delegate responsibilities
- Commitments: Reschedule commitments
- Planning: Plan for recovery period
- Communication: Communicate with employer
Mental Preparation
Understanding Expectations
Prepare mentally by:
- Realistic Expectations: Set realistic expectations
- Understanding Procedure: Understand procedure fully
- Recovery Understanding: Understand recovery process
- Results Timeline: Understand results timeline
- Questions Answered: Have all questions answered
Emotional Preparation
Emotional preparation:
- Support System: Have emotional support
- Stress Management: Manage stress
- Positive Mindset: Maintain positive mindset
- Anxiety Management: Manage anxiety
- Confidence: Feel confident in decision
Pre-Operative Instructions
Final Preparations
Final preparations include:
- Fasting: Follow fasting instructions
- Medications: Follow medication instructions
- Hygiene: Follow hygiene instructions
- Clothing: Prepare appropriate clothing
- Arrival: Plan for arrival time
Day Before Surgery
The day before:
- Rest: Get adequate rest
- Hydration: Stay hydrated (until cutoff time)
- Preparation: Complete final preparations
- Relaxation: Try to relax
- Instructions: Follow all instructions
Your Preparation Success
Proper preparation sets the foundation for a safe, successful procedure and optimal recovery. By following preparation guidelines, you can optimize your outcomes and recovery experience.
During your pre-operative visits, we’ll:
- Review all preparation requirements
- Answer all your questions
- Ensure you’re fully prepared
- Address any concerns
- Support you through preparation
To learn more about preparing for your procedure or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office. We’re committed to ensuring you’re fully prepared for your procedure.
Dr. Georgina Nichols
Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Georgina Nichols is a double-board certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Specializing in lipedema treatment, she combines surgical expertise with personal understanding as a lipedema patient herself, providing compassionate, comprehensive care to patients in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Palm Beach.
