If you’ve recently been told that you need to prepare for surgery, whether it’s cosmetic or medically necessary, you need to prepare early. Being well-prepared for surgery has many benefits, including a better procedure, recovery time and results. There are many things you may need to do to prepare for surgery well and make sure your body is well prepared for an invasive procedure. Here are some of the most essential lifestyle changes you need to make in order to prepare for surgery, as suggested by doctors, surgeons and other medical professionals.
Exercise
One of the best things you can do to prepare for surgery is to start exercising more. When you are in better shape, your body can better fight infection, which you are at high risk of after serious surgical procedures. When you exercise, you also strengthen your muscles, which is great for repairing your body after surgery. When the muscles and tissue that make up your body are healthier, your body will bounce back more easily and be able to fight off infection. Make sure to increase your exercise to ensure your body is in great shape in order to prepare for surgery.
Meditate and Treat Anxiety
If you experience health anxiety or stress, you might want to treat your anxiety in the lead-up to the surgery. By taking the steps to mitigate your feelings of anxiety, you will make sure that you are mentally prepared for surgery. Many people who need to have surgery experience intense feelings of anxiety before the procedure – some even have panic attacks. Consulting a medical professional about treating your anxiety as well as meditating can significantly reduce the effects of health anxiety, so it’s useful to do this in the lead-up to the procedure. If you suffer from severe health anxiety, make sure to take a friend with you.
Stop Smoking
One of the worst things you can do for your health is smoke, however, it is the worst thing you can do before surgery. Many cosmetic surgeons will refuse to perform surgery if you still smoke. Smoking can cause many significant complications, such as haemorrhaging, infection and can cause the body to heal significantly slower. If you want to improve your chances of having a smooth surgery and a great recovery, take the effort to stop smoking today. It is essential if you want to have a successful surgery, and if you want to have a healthy lifestyle.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol consumption is also bad when you’re preparing for surgery. Alcohol interferes with your blood’s ability to clot, which could mean that you bleed excessively after surgery. Heavy consumption of alcohol can make your body less equipped to fight infection, which is essential after invasive surgery. When you start preparing for your surgical procedure, you need to start limiting your alcohol consumption. This way, you will have a great surgery and your scars will be more likely to heal well.
Ask Any Questions
If you have any questions about your surgery, it would be a good idea to ask your medical practitioner. They can answer any questions about preparation, during the surgery and the steps you should take once the surgery is complete. If you have a lot of unanswered questions about your procedure, it can make you anxious, or make you feel unprepared for the surgery. Feeling mentally prepared for surgery is half the battle, and when you feel you have the full picture, you be in a better mental state. Contact your surgeon and talk to people who have had the surgery, so you will know everything you need.
Make Any Arrangements
When you prepare for surgery, you must also prepare for the aftermath and the recovery. After invasive surgery, you might not be able to move as freely as you would otherwise. This might mean you need to book time off work, as you may not be able to complete your work responsibilities. You may also need to arrange childcare, particularly if you have very young children, as they may require more moving around. Ensure that everything is in place before your surgery, so you can relax and focus on your recovery.
Change Your Diet
Eating a diet that is optimised for surgery is one of the best ways you can prepare for surgery. Just like exercise, food impacts your body, allowing you to fight infection and recover better. For example, eating more protein strengthens your muscles which is important when it comes to your body repairing itself. Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables will increase your Vitamin C intake, which strengthens your immune system. This is important for fighting off potential infections post-surgery. Researchers who studied patients who had a mummy makeover found that the patients who ate a diet high in protein, fruits and vegetables healed quicker than those who did not. Therefore, you should eat a healthier diet when preparing for surgery.
Taking the steps to prepare for surgery is extremely important when it comes to having an amazing recovery, and great surgery results. If you’re planning on surgery, make sure to make some of these lifestyle changes today!