subject: How Best Can I Prepare For My Liposuction? [print this page] As more and more people turn to liposuction to smooth out their figures, it's becoming increasingly important for people to know how they can best prepare themselves for a successful surgery. The things that people learn and do in the weeks and months preceding their surgery can help them to have safer, more successful surgeries and easier recoveries.
The best advice about how to prepare will likely come from your surgeon. During your consultation, make sure that you tell the surgeon all about your medical history and current condition so that he or she can make the best choices for your safety. Your surgeon will be able to give you the advice that you specifically need to hear and follow. He will also be able to tailor his advice to the specific type of liposuction you will undergo--the precautions for tumescent liposuction are not necessarily the same as the ones for laser liposuction (also known by the brand names SmartLipo, ProLipo, CoolLipo, LipoLite, and LipoTherme)
However, there are some general things that most people can benefit from in preparing for their surgery. The first is simply to be healthy. Eat healthily and exercise regularly in the months preceding your surgery. The healthier your body is, the more quickly it will be able to recover. The healthier your habits are, the more likely you are to maintain your post-liposuction figure.
As you prepare for surgery, quit smoking. Smoking increases your risk of infection during surgery, and it could lead to circulation problems too.
If you are taking a birth control pill, make sure that you discuss it with your surgeon. Some forms of birth control increase the risk of blood clots, so make sure that you aren't using one of them.
A number of medications can increase the risk of blood loss. This includes common drugs such as Advil, Aspirin, Midol, Motrin and Pepto-Bismol. Many anti-inflammatory medications can cause bleeding by impairing coagulation. Speak with your doctor regarding all medications you might take to make sure that they will not have adverse effects.
Health supplements and herbs such as feverfew, Ginkgo Biloba, garlic capsules, willow bark and Vitamin E can also cause excessive bleeding. Make sure you discuss all supplements with your doctor.
Alcohol can also increase blood loss, so cut out alcohol consumption as well, including red wine. Cut out all foods, drugs and supplements that could increase your problems with blood loss two weeks before your surgery, or as directed by your surgeon.
Perhaps as important as preparing your body is preparing your mind. Some people go into liposuction with unrealistic expectations and unanswered questions. If you understand what will happen, as well as the possible risks and the probable outcomes, you will most likely be happier with your results.
Finally, you will want to make physical preparations as well. You will want to arrange with someone to drive you to and from your surgery, you will want to arrange to get a couple of days off from work, and you will want to purchase any necessary supplies. Your surgeon will probably direct you to buy antibacterial soap, gauze, dressings and compression garments to aid in your healing process. Things will go more smoothly if you have procured these before the day of your surgery.
