Having any type of surgery can be nerve-wracking. You might feel concerned about the surgery itself as well as a smooth recovery. What your days will look like, how much pain you’ll be in, and so on. If you are having plastic surgery, you might be particularly concerned about how you will look after the procedure and your healing process. The good news is that you can take steps now to prepare for your procedure and a smooth recovery.

Get Plenty of Rest Ahead of Time

The more well-rested you are before your procedure, the more likely you are to have a smooth recovery.  Getting ready for surgery can be tiring and mentally draining, so in the days leading up to it, try to take some extra time for rest and relaxation. You might look into some mindfulness or meditation routines that can put you in a calm, restful state of mind. This is also great practice for staying mindful and relaxed after your surgery. This is of the utmost importance when it comes to healing and a smooth recovery.

Read Over Your Preparation Instructions

Depending on your personal circumstances, you might have to stop eating certain foods or taking certain medications before your procedure. It would be very stressful to find this out a day or two before your surgery when you were meant to have stopped your intake of these substances a week or two prior! Don’t let that happen to you. When you go in for your consultation with your plastic surgeon, you’ll be given a list of tips for preparation. Read them through during a relaxed moment and make a plan for following them.

It is equally important not to take steps that you should be avoiding. For example, some people will be asked to stop taking certain painkillers (particularly those containing ingredients like ibuprofen), but other people really need to continue taking them, so their surgeons will not recommend that they stop. The same might be said about blood thinners; in some cases, you might need to switch to a different type. Your doctor will go over your unique needs with you and will make recommendations based on those. If you aren’t sure if you should stop taking a medication, contact your doctor and ask rather than taking matters into your own hands.

Arrange for a Ride To and From Your Procedure

You will not be able to drive yourself home from your surgery, so make sure you have a reliable ride set up to take you to and from the facility. Your ride might or might not be allowed to wait in the waiting area, so find out how long the surgery will take so he or she can plan accordingly. You might also want to arrange for a backup ride in case your planned driver gets sick or cannot do it at the last minute. The more options you have in place, the less stressed you will be.

Plan What You Will Eat in the Days Following Your Surgery

After plastic surgery, you might be very sore and unable to cook the types of meals you usually do. Since good nutrition is vital to a smooth recovery, it’s important to have a plan in place. You might choose to cook extra batches of some of your favorite foods to have on hand as needed. Also, consider having fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, and other easy-to-grab snacks available.

Ask Someone to Stay With You Post-Procedure

After any surgical procedure, you might be tired and shaky on your feet for a day or two due to the anesthesia you’ll have. You also might feel nauseated and unable to eat large meals. You might even need help getting to and from the bathroom, getting dressed, washing your hair, and so on. If you live alone, it’s best to have someone stay with you to help you with these activities.

If you already live with another adult who can help you, make sure that they can take a few days off of work to care for you. Also, if you have young children, arrange for your partner to care for them or ask a friend or family member to keep them at their house. This will give you the peace and quiet you will need to recuperate without your children calling for you, climbing on you, crying to be picked up, etc.

If you do not have an adult, a friend, or relative who can stay with you for a few days, you might need to hire a nurse to come and help. Remember that you’ll need to get up and move around to prevent complications and to speed up a smooth recovery, so you will want someone who is capable of helping you walk. A nurse can also monitor you for signs of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, which are uncommon but very severe complications of any type of surgery.

Consider Staying at a Recovery Center

When you book a stay at Pearl Recovery Retreat, you won’t have to worry about many of the tips listed above and are guaranteed a smooth recovery. Your meals will be cooked for you and delivered to your bed. You will have options available if you are nauseated and can’t stomach “real food” for the first day or so.. You’ll also have nursing care available; all you’ll need to do is relax and allow your body to heal. The nurses can also help you move around as recommended by your surgeon and check you for signs of complications. At Pearl Recovery Retreat, transportation from your surgical facility after your procedure is included. If you need a follow-up appointment with your surgeon, that transportation is arranged, too.

Talk to your surgeon about whether you would benefit from a stay at our retreat, and call us for more information about our recovery services as well as the other services available. Our goal is for you to get  a smooth recovery from plastic surgery as quickly as possible so you can get back to doing the things that are important to you.