Many people today choose to undergo one or more cosmetic surgical procedures. Men and women alike want to look their best at all times, and these procedures are of help in achieving that goal. Certain tips make this process easier, and the following are some tips every person should know prior to having this work done.
Choose the Right Doctor
Never choose a surgeon based on price alone. You need the best MD in Texas to handle this procedure and make certain it goes smoothly. Ensure this individual has performed the procedure before and ask to speak to former patients. Never rely on advertising alone when making this choice.
Consider consulting with one of three organizations when making this choice. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the oldest group. However, the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery is another good option. For those looking to have a smaller procedure done, such as eyelid surgery, the American Academy of Dermatology can provide names of local surgeons who perform this procedure.
Read the Provided Material
A person typically only undergoes a cosmetic surgery procedure once in their life. They don’t go back for a tummy tuck annually, for example. As a result, they may not know which questions to ask or what they need to know.
Doctors provide reading materials that many patients simply discard. Don’t make this mistake. Read over these materials to learn more about the selected procedure, what it entails, and what to expect during the recovery process.
Once the materials have been read, it becomes easier to know which questions to ask. The answers to many questions are in these materials, so this leaves more time for those questions not answered to be discussed during an appointment.
Increase Protein Intake
The body needs protein to heal. The protein helps build new blood vessels and tissues. In addition, it repairs the tissue that was injured during the procedure and increases production of those cells involves in the wound’s healing. High protein sources include poultry, legumes, beans, and lean cuts of meat.
Most people need approximately 0.8 grams of protein for each kilogram of body weight. Following the cosmetic surgery, increase this to 2 grams of protein per kilogram. If taking in this much protein is challenging, put protein powder in a shake or smoothie.
Use Minimal Pain Medications
Doctors recognize the dangers of opioid addiction today and will prescribe patients the least amount of pain medication possible for the selected procedure. However, patients shouldn’t feel as if the medications are mandatory.
Many people find they want a prescription strength pain killer immediately following the procedure. By the next day, however, they might find they can control the pain with nothing more than over-the-counter medications.
Each patient should take the lowest dose of pain medication they can, even if it is an OTC product. These medications don’t aid in the healing process, so a patient doesn’t need to take them for health reasons.
Know What to Avoid
A person who is undergoing a cosmetic surgical procedure should avoid taking aspirin prior to the surgery. They need to work with the doctor to determine when it should be stopped and when they can resume taking it following the procedure. Several factors play a role in this, such as why the aspirin is being taken.
Stop smoking a minimum of two weeks before the procedure. Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen that makes its way to the cells of the body. This reduced oxygen slows the wound healing process, so cigarettes should be avoided for this two-week period.
A person who smokes is also at a higher risk of complications during the procedure itself. In fact, certain doctors refuse to accept patients who smoke. They don’t want to take on the higher risk.
Furthermore, alcohol should be avoided before the surgery. It suppresses the immune system and increases the risk of complications. Avoid alcohol for 72 hours before the surgery and 72 hours after the procedure.
Cosmetic surgical procedures are routinely done by physicians across the country with few problems. However, a person must walk into the procedure knowing what to expect and what they must do to make the surgery a success. The above tips are of great help to individuals planning to have this type of work done. The doctor performing the surgery should always be considered the best source of information, however, so don’t hesitate to ask questions. They’ll be happy to answer them for you.