Whether you’re having a nose job, breast augmentation, or any other type of plastic surgery, one thing that’s probably at the top of your mind is what you can do to get the best results possible from your procedure–and what you can do to maintain your results afterward.
In many ways, the success of your plastic surgery will depend on the quality of the surgeon you choose. Always work with someone who is board-certified and who has experience in the procedure you’re considering. It’s also a good idea to work with someone who comes highly recommended, whether by your friends, reviewers online, or publications and organizations that give out awards and ratings for plastic surgeons.
Once you’ve picked the best surgeon, there are a few more things you can do to maximize your surgery and get the best results possible.
Have Realistic Expectations for Surgery
One thing you can do that will help you enjoy the results of your plastic surgery is to manage your expectations for the procedure. If you go into a facelift or rhinoplasty expecting the procedure to turn you into a completely different person and anticipating that the surgery will dramatically improve your life, you might be disappointed with your results, no matter how good they are.
Having realistic expectations means understanding what plastic surgery can and can’t do for you. Rhinoplasty will change the size or shape of your nose and might make you feel more confident. But it won’t necessarily lead to a new, better job or make someone fall in love with you.
Talk to Your Surgeon Before and After Surgery
Keeping in contact with your surgeon before and after the procedure can help you make the most of your results. Communicating with your surgeon in advance of the surgery allows you to both get on the same page and helps you to work through any misunderstandings prior to the surgery, should any come up.
Staying in touch with your surgeon after your procedure gives you the opportunity to ask questions about aftercare and discuss any issues that might have cropped up which could affect your results.
Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions
Your surgeon should give you a list of instructions and advice for pre- and post-op care. Although some of the instructions might seem excessive or like things you can skip, it’s important that you follow all of them as closely as possible.
Your surgeon might recommend that you avoid certain supplements or medications before surgery, for example. Most likely, they’ll advise against those supplements or medicines because there is the chance that they will increase your risk of bleeding or otherwise interfere with the procedure, which could affect your results.
If you have any questions about anything your surgeon tells you to do or you have other concerns, feel free to bring them up. Your surgeon is there to help you have the best possible experience with plastic surgery. When things aren’t clear, they’re there to help explain and help you understand the importance of particular instructions.
Take Good Care of Yourself
Taking good care of yourself after surgery will help you heal and improve your results. That’s particularly true if you’re seeking out a surgery that will reverse the effects of aging or help you look more youthful.
What does taking care of yourself look like? It can mean several things. If you’ve been a smoker, it might mean quitting before your surgery and remaining nicotine-free afterward.
It might also mean improving your diet. Some surgeries, such as liposuction, are usually recommended to people who have lost weight, but still have some excess, unwanted fat remaining. Getting to your goal weight and staying there might mean changing your diet so that it includes more nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
Taking care of yourself to improve your surgical results might also mean getting serious about sun protection. After surgery, the skin in the treated area is usually more delicate and fragile than it was before. To avoid the darkening of the scars and other signs of sun damage, it’s a good idea to get in the habit of wearing sunscreen daily and taking other steps to limit or avoid sun exposure.
Remember, your plastic surgeon is there for you throughout the surgical process, from the time of your consultation to weeks or even months after the surgery. In Houston, Texas, Dr. Paul Vitenas is a board-certified plastic surgeon who performs a variety of body and facial plastic surgeries. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Vitenas and to learn more about what you can do to get the most from your plastic surgery, call 281-484-0088 today.