Summer is coming and that means graduations, weddings, beaches and beach attire. Everyone wants to look fabulous, and after the holiday season, it is time to get to work! Spring is the perfect time for a little tuneup to help our bodies look their best.
Suggestions from a plastic surgeon:
- Start doing some exercise, whatever program you can stick with. There is no substitute for muscle to help improve your shape. Strong core muscles help tighten your waist and improve your posture.
- Eat healthy, decrease sugar and carb intake to lose some excess fat on your own.
- Avoid nicotine, or other substances which cause your blood vessels to constrict for at least one month before surgery and six weeks after surgery.
If you are thinking about plastic surgery, whether it’s something small and non-invasive or larger like a full “mommy makeover”, you need to do some homework to help get your body beach ready.
- Find a plastic surgeon certified by the The American Board of Plastic Surgery. Board certification requires a specific amount of residency training followed by nationally administered exams. This process is designed to make sure surgeons are safe and can deal with complications from procedures.
- Determine what results will make you happy. Understand the specifics of what makes you unhappy. Is it the “jiggle” of your belly, or is it the fullness when you pinch, or is it the overhanging skin? Make sure you can communicate this effectively to your surgeon, as the more you understand each other, the more likely you will get what you are expecting.
- Keep your expectations realistic. Most minimally or non-invasive procedures cannot produce the same results as a surgical procedure, even with multiple treatments. The benefit of them is less downtime but anticipate less results as well. Their best use is typically when there is a very small need that needs to be addressed.
- Spend time in preparation for your procedure, as well as recovery. Most procedures need several months before the “final result”. If you are planning on doing any procedure that requires skin removal, you will get the most predictable results if you are at your target weight already.
- Keep in mind that your body will change even after recovery is complete. Recovery may only be a few weeks after surgery, but your body will still change over time. The full process usually takes six months, possibly a year.
- Aftercare is an important part of the process. Staying in a clean environment with clean clothes and bedsheets are simple things to help prevent infections and allow your body to heal faster. Having the appropriate post-surgical garments can decrease your discomfort and swelling. Eating foods which are beneficial for healing will help provide the appropriate nutrients.
- Plan cosmetic surgery at an optimal time for both recovery and results. Healthy people recover faster than those who are not. Although you may be excited and impatient to have a procedure done, it still should be planned to optimize your ability to get a good result from your investment.
A good result and a great surgical experience involve communication and planning. As a patient, you impact your results greatly. Since results can never be guaranteed, it is in everyone’s best interest to optimize the things we can control. Many people find great happiness in the transformation they see from a cosmetic surgery, and the experience can be very rewarding. However, to maximize your results and decrease recovery time, preparation is key.
If you are considering a cosmetic procedure, I invite you to join IAS for a complimentary consultation to discuss your aesthetic goals and the options available. To learn more, call us at 407-409-8000 or visit iasurgery.net.
About Roxanne Sylora, MD
Dr. Roxanne Sylora is known for her expertise in breast enhancement, reduction, and body contouring. Before moving to Orlando, she spent several years in the Chicago area performing breast augmentation and body sculpting, including breast lifts, tummy tucks, breast reconstruction, and post-massive weight loss body contouring.
Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Sylora has been recognized as a ‘Top Plastics Surgeon’ by Consumers Checkbook, and as one of ‘America’s Top Plastic Surgeons’ by Consumers Research Council of America.