If you are considering or have decided to proceed with cosmetic surgery on your face, congratulations! Facial cosmetic surgery is some of the most effective procedures in revitalizing the face to date. By choosing cosmetic surgery, you are investing in yourself. However, all the money that you invest isn’t half as important as the time spent investing in your recovery plan. By taking the time to maintain your health and mental well-being you can ensure you will have a speedy recovery along with fantastic results.
1-3 months prior to surgery
Now is the time to get your skin to its optimal state. If your skin is unhealthy, your scars won’t heal as well as they should and your end result won’t look as good as you hoped for. Now is the time to talk to your surgeon about starting a doctor prescribed skin care regime as well as monthly skin maintenance such as facials, microdermabrasion, hydroquinone and gentle masks to ensure your skin is at its optimal potential prior to surgery.
2-4 weeks prior to surgery
This is the time you should get a medical clearance from your primary care physician. Typically your plastic surgeon will require this anyway. The reason for this (younger patients may find this unnecessary) is to prevent anything from happening during surgery. It’s also a great way to find out if you’re anemic (which can cause excessive bruising and bleeding after and during surgery) or if you potentially have and life threatening health issues which could compromise surgery and recovery.
1-2 weeks before surgery
Surgery is almost here! Now is the time that is the worst mentally for patient’s. Waiting for a pending surgery can be daunting, nerve wracking, exciting and scary all at once. This is the time when your Patient Care Coordinator comes in handy. By simply giving the office a call and speaking with a qualified PCC, your nerves can go from a 10 to a 1 with a simple phone call. Communicating with your plastic surgeons office is essential prior to surgery to make sure all of your “i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed.” This is also the time to stop taking anti-inflammatories and FOLLOW YOUR PRE-OP INSTRUCTIONS!!!
1 day prior to surgery
At this point you should be ready. By speaking with your PCC, reading over your consents, speaking with your primary care physician and following your post-op instructions you should be perfectly ready and excited for surgery! Right now you should be eating healthy, mild food (nothing too spicy or heavy.) Start packing your bags, get your home ready for your recovery, fill your prescriptions, go shopping for your post-op care pack (ice packs, soft food etc…) and shop for things to do during your recovery. It’s helpful to have movies on hand, books to read, magazines and games because you will be bored recovering for 1-2 weeks.
Surgery day
Hurray your surgery is here!! No eating or drinking whatsoever. Brush your teeth but spit out any water. Wash your hair but don’t put any styling product in it. Don’t wear makeup, perfume or jewelry. Make sure you wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes and bring a hat or scarf and large sunglasses to wear home. Most importantly, stay positive! Trust that you are in good hands, and you will be recovered and off to a new life adventure with an amazing new look before you know it. If you’ve followed post-op directions and prepared pre-operatively, you should be recovered in no time enjoying your new lease on life. Remember, cosmetic surgery is an investment in YOU and there’s no better investment than that.
