If you have an upcoming appointment for liposuction, you may feel both excitement and apprehension. You're probably excited to finally get rid of the fat deposits that have been plaguing you, but a bit nervous about the discomfort and stress that the procedure will cause. Liposuction is a surgical procedure, and there is no way to make the procedure and recovery process completely pain-free. However, you can help ensure a successful appointment by taking the time to prepare properly -- and that involves doing these five things.
1. Stop Smoking
Your doctor will probably give you a pamphlet or other instructions for preparing for liposuction, and one of those instructions is sure to be "stop smoking." Sadly, many smokers ignore this advice because quitting is hard work! But smoking can greatly decrease your body's ability to heal itself, resulting in a longer and more uncomfortable recovery. If you cannot manage to stop smoking in time for your appointment, consider delaying your liposuction procedure until you can quit. Turn to resources like support groups and hypnotherapy to help you quit. You can also switch to nicotine gum or patches in the weeks leading up to your liposuction appointment.
2. Avoid Aspirin
Aspirin interferes with your blood's ability to clot. If you have aspirin in your system during your liposuction procedure, you may experience excessive blood loss, which can be very dangerous. Stop taking aspirin at least a week before your appointment. If you need to take pain relievers for another condition, ask your doctor to recommend an alternative pain reliever you can take that won't interfere with blood clotting.
3. Tell Your Doctor About Other Meds You Are Taking
If you regularly see more than one doctor for treatment of various medical conditions, you might be taking some medications that your cosmetic surgeon does not know about. Bring a list of the medications you're taking -- including herbal supplements -- to your cosmetic surgeon's office. Ask which ones are safe for you to keep taking in the weeks leading up to your liposuction appointment. Your doctor may request that you temporarily stop taking certain meds or alter your dose for a while. This is because some medications can interfere with the healing process or even increase your risk of infection post-surgery.
4. Get Some Rest
The period before your surgery can be stressful, and if you go into the procedure tired out and overly stressed, you may have a harder time recovering. So, make sure you get plenty of rest in the days leading up to the liposuction procedure. This will help ensure your immune system is in peak condition to prevent infection as you heal. Go to bed an hour earlier, sleep in if possible, and make sure you're sleeping in a bed where you can get restful sleep.
5. Ask a Friend For Help
You will need someone to drive you home from your liposuction appointment. You will also need someone to be there with you -- for at least the first day after your treatment. They can help you prepare food, get up and down, and change your wound dressings. Ask a friend for this assistance well in advance of your surgery. This way, your friend can plan to take the time off from work. And if they say "no," you have time to find an alternative helper.
If you do the five things above, you will be well prepared for your liposuction appointment. To learn more, get in touch with your cosmetic surgeon. They can let you know what has worked well for other liposuction patients in the past.
Share23 July 2018
All of my life, I was picked on for having a larger nose that most other people. I had dealt with picking and torment throughout high school and college, but once I graduated from college, I decided to make a few changes to the way that I look. Some people are not so open to cosmetic procedures and gave me a hard time about my choice, but after the procedure was complete and my nose was healed, they could see why I did what I did. You can follow my story on my website. Here, you will learn what I went through before, during and after my procedure.