How to Prepare for Plastic Surgery in Lubbock

Deciding to have plastic surgery can change your life in many ways. For most patients, those changes can include increased confidence, improved physical and mental well-being, and even freedom from chronic pain. As the surgery itself can bring changes to your life, you may need to make additional adjustments to your lifestyle after your procedure to maintain your results. The following challenges are just a few of the lifestyle changes that you may want to begin before plastic surgery and continue after your procedure.

Stay Active

Exercise is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. We don’t need an expensive gym membership to get up and move a bit each day. From beginner to expert level and everything in between, the internet is full of workouts that are good for your mind and body. Listen to your body and set manageable goals; there is no rush to get into perfect shape after having plastic surgery in Lubbock. Most importantly, remember to follow your doctor’s recommendations about what level of exercise your body can handle immediately following plastic surgery.

Drink Enough Water

Many Americans drink less than the recommended amount of daily water. Staying properly hydrated can help you recover after having plastic surgery. Lubbock patients have even experienced a reduction in headaches or kidney problems when upping their water intake to sufficient levels. Drinking too much water after surgery, however, can cause extra swelling and delay your recovery. There is no need to drastically increase your daily water after plastic surgery, just remember to stay hydrated.

Eat Right

Eating nutritious foods will help you feel well and look good as you work to maintain your shape following plastic surgery in Lubbock. If changing your diet seems daunting, think of replacing one not-so-healthy food choice with a better option instead of simply restricting yourself from all the things you love. Dr. Jane Rowley can counsel together with you about some eating choices that you can slowly incorporate into your new life.

Love Who You Are and How You Look

Having plastic surgery doesn’t mean you don’t love yourself, it means you’re ready for a change. And changes can take time to get used to. Work with your surgeon to set realistic expectations of what your new body will look like.

Stop Smoking or Using Nicotine

The effects of smoking on our lungs and the risks of cancer through tobacco and secondhand smoke exposure are fairly well-known and understood. But the dangers of smoking go beyond our lungs. Smoking introduces nicotine and carbon monoxide to the body which can cause blood vessels to restrict and can impact our tissue, both of which limit the flow of oxygen throughout our body. Oxygen is vital to the healing process, so getting insufficient oxygen during any healing period can result in complications and issues after surgery. Ultimately, patients who smoke can experience longer healing times and worsened scars. It is important for people planning to undergo plastic surgery in Lubbock to quit smoking well before scheduling a surgical procedure with our office. Patients are required to stop smoking at least a few weeks before and after their scheduled surgery.

The Effects of Smoking

Smoking can lead to infections in the surgical wound. Smokers have higher rates of post-op infections.
Tobacco use can slow the healing process. Not only does this extend the recovery time, but it can also lead to issues in scarring.
Smoking introduces complications to circulation throughout the body leading to a deterioration of the skin during or after surgery.

Don’t Want to Quit?

Smoking can cause serious complications for patients having plastic surgery in Lubbock. Some plastic surgeons will even refuse scheduling procedures with people who smoke to avoid these risks. Other doctors will set strict parameters requiring patients to stop smoking for a specific amount of time before the surgery. These risks and restrictions may vary depending on the procedure and your doctor’s preferences.

Quit Anyway

Plastic surgery safety is of the utmost importance to Dr. Jane Rowley. Patients should completely avoid smoking, nicotine patches, and even nicotine gum when preparing to undergo plastic surgery in Lubbock. You should continue to avoid smoking and other forms of nicotine during the recovery period as well. After going for several weeks without nicotine, your plastic surgery could provide the perfect opportunity and motivation to finally quit smoking once and for all.