Prepare for the surgery properly and be safe

In order to be safe and sound, and turn yourself to the care of others calmly, it is important to do as much as you can on your own and prepare yourself for the surgery both mentally and physically, so that you minimize the stress as much as it is possible.

A well-balanced diet

It is of utmost importance to follow a well-balanced diet, especially if your surgeon and personal doctor advise you to do so. Avoid foods that have high levels of sugar and cholesterol, thus making sure that there will be no problems related to these issues during the surgery. Some surgeons recommend avoiding vitamin E, at least two weeks before surgery, because it can interfere with blood clotting. So say no to fast food and sweets and try to have at least three meals a day, with a gap of 3 to 4 hours between them.

Give up smoking

If you are a smoker, try to completely quit smoking or at least try smoking less for two weeks prior to the surgery. This might be something very difficult to cope with for a heavy smoker, but continued smoking up to the day of the surgery can reduce levels of oxygen in the skin, thus making it slower to heal. Moreover, smoke residue in the lungs can cause pneumonia and lung infection.

Regular exercise

Depending on the type of surgery and health problem you have, you will need to decide what kind of exercise will work best for you and speed up your metabolism. Doing regular exercises is very important because this way you will strengthen the heart in preparation for anesthesia and boost your immune system. Of course, consult your doctor when it comes to any sudden and fast movements. Even though you might not be able to do anything more challenging, even a simple stretching routine and / or a massage can be very beneficial.

Other medical problems

Before anything happens, it is your obligation towards yourself to inform your personal physician and surgeon about any type of health issues that you already have and provide the complete medical history. It is not good to hurry things when it comes to surgery. You have to report even the slightest kind of cold, not to mention something more serious such as flu or pneumonia. Surgery must not be performed on patients that suffer from any kind of inflammation, no matter how temporary.

Medicines

Make sure your surgeon knows about medications or herbal supplements you are taking. Even though some supplements are known to be good for the body in normal circumstances, they can be a real health hazard for a person about to undergo a surgery. As mentioned before, vitamin E can interfere with the body's response to clot blood, causing increased bleeding during surgery.

The same goes for aspirin and some anti-inflammatory drugs. It is most likely that your doctor and surgeon will recommend some type of medication that has positive effect on recovery process, so consult your surgeon about the use of nutritional supplements before surgery and remember to buy the medicines and all the medical supplies your doctor suggested and take them with you on the day of the procedure, thus avoiding any unnecessary discomfort after the surgery.

It does not matter whether you have decided to have a cosmetic surgery or you must undergo one due to the health problems. The important thing is to think ahead, keep a cool head and do everything in a positive manner to ensure the perfect and fastest recovery.