When you think of plastic surgery prep, tasks such as researching your plastic surgeon, scheduling a consultation and following pre-surgery guidelines probably come to mind. However, another major way you can prepare for a mommy makeover, breast augmentation, tummy tuck or other plastic surgery procedures is to establish a healthy workout routine.
Working out before plastic surgery offers an array of amazing benefits, including a potentially shorter and smoother recovery. Read on to learn more about how getting fit can affect your plastic surgery experience and results in a big way.
Have a Lower Risk of Complications
All surgical procedures come with certain risks, such as infection, blood clots and delayed healing. However, you can significantly reduce the possibility of these complications by achieving and maintaining a healthy weight prior to getting plastic surgery.
Generally speaking, most plastic surgeons recommend that you be at a healthy and stable weight, prior to your procedure, in order to reduce the possibility of complications during and after your plastic surgery procedure. During your consultation, you can discuss a weight loss or fitness plan with your plastic surgeon to jumpstart your plastic surgery prep and set you up for success.
Enjoy a Smoother Recovery
Being fit and healthy before a mommy makeover or other cosmetic procedures gives the added benefit of helping you recover easily and more quickly. Getting regular exercise does wonders for your entire body, helping to improve circulation, boost your immune system and help wounds heal more quickly and efficiently.
While you will still need to take some time away from work and arrange for extra help around the house to recover from plastic surgery, you should be able to bounce back to your normal routine faster if you are already fit and following healthy habits. Most people plan to take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks off work to recover, depending on the type of plastic surgery they get.
Maximize Your Results
Before jumping right into body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck, liposuction or mommy makeover, you’ll want to give yourself time to achieve your weight loss and fitness goals. You will ultimately see the best body contouring results if you are already at or close to your ideal weight prior to your procedure.
Remember that body contouring procedures are not weight loss tools, so putting in some sweat equity to hit weight loss milestones beforehand can go a long way when it comes to getting the most out of your abdominoplasty or liposuction.
Establish Healthy Habits for Long-Term Benefits
The benefits of being at a healthy weight don’t stop after plastic surgery. In fact, they keep getting better and better as you continue to lead a healthy lifestyle and help your body optimally function.
Establishing and maintaining healthy eating, exercise, sleep and stress management habits in preparation for plastic surgery can help you continue to enjoy your new body shape — along with increased energy, improved mood and a wide range of other benefits — for years to come.
Dr. David Kaufman earned a bachelor of science degree from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduating with distinction, the highest academic honor. As an active duty naval special warfare officer, he served our nation for four years, including duty in Operation Desert Storm. He then attended Harvard Medical School, receiving his medical doctor degree in 1996. From there, he entered and completed postdoctoral surgical training in a combined general and plastic surgery residency at Stanford University Medical Center.
A board-certified plastic surgeon and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Kaufman’s diverse surgical experience and skill enables him to choose procedures and techniques to best suit each patient. Consider him and his practice, Kaufman Plastic Surgery, if you are looking for a plastic surgeon in the Sacramento area.
