As a surgical patient, you do have an influence on your recovery. The most important thing you can do is to follow your doctors’ instructions about everything.
For example, if you’re having pain, don’t try to be stoic - take the pain medicine. If you don’t, your blood pressure is going to go up, which can lead to more bruising, or worse, can cause increased bleeding under the skin that may re-open the wound.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking delays the healing and compromises lung function. It restricts the blood flow that is critical for the surgically-cut tissue to heal appropriately. If those areas do not get proper blood flow, it can lead to necrosis. For optimal healing, you should not smoke for two weeks before surgery and two weeks after surgery.
- Get Moving. Don’t lay around the house and do nothing for more than a day. By day two, you should be up and about. You may not want to go to an amusement park, but you can definitely take a walk around your house. If the weather is nice, go out and get some fresh air. Most pain pills will produce some level of constipation, and you can counter that by moving around. Drink lots of fluids, but stick to water and fruit juice and avoid high caffeine drinks, alcohol and soda.
- Don’t Over-Exercise. What you shouldn’t do is go back to the health club three days after treatment and start pumping iron. Exertion can cause the blood pressure to go up again, and elevated blood pressure after surgery can cause bruising and bleeding issues. Wait 10 days before you go back to your health club, and maybe even two weeks depending on the extent of your surgery and how quickly you heal.
- Keep Your Appointments. For bigger procedures, you will see your doctor several times the first week. Your doctor will be asking questions every day. Answer truthfully. Are you out and about? Are you constipated? How are you eating? Your body needs carbohydrates and protein to heal itself, so pay close attention to any diet recommendations and answer honestly if you’ve strayed.
- Take Your Vitamins. Good nutrition is important, so eat right and take your vitamins. Make sure they are the right vitamins and that your doctor is aware of everything you are taking. You doctor will give you a specific list of vitamins to take and which ones to avoid.
Yes Foods and No Foods
Foods to avoid before plastic surgery: carbonated drinks, distilled drinks, tea, wine, potatoes, mint or wintergreen products, pie, cake, apples, apricots, berries, cherries, dates, grapes, melon, pineapple, oranges, nectarines, peaches, plums, prunes, pomegranates, canned mushrooms, cucumbers, green peppers, radishes, peppers, tomatoes, cloves, pickles.
Food that help you heal after surgery: milk, bread, popcorn, pasta, peas, rice, butter, cashews, pecans, vegetable oils, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, grapefruit, lemons, mangos, papayas, pears, rhubarb, strawberries, tangerines, asparagus, carrots, fresh mushrooms, green beans, lettuce, spinach, squash, chocolate (yay!).