If you’ve decided to have liposuction, you’re probably curious about what you might have to do to prepare. There are several steps that patients should take both before and after they set a date for the surgery. If you’re interested in liposuction, here are some steps you can take to prepare.

Reach Your Goal Weight

Liposuction is intended to sculpt the body, not to help you lose weight. So, if you have a significant amount of weight to lose before you’re within a healthy range, you should do so before moving forward with liposuction. After reaching your target healthy weight, or within a few pounds of it, you’ll likely still have areas of stubborn fat. This is where liposuction comes in to finalize your results.

Build Muscle

Building muscle and increasing your strength is good for your health overall, and it can also enhance your liposuction results. Before your procedure, focus on building muscle so that when the fat is removed, it reveals a toned appearance. In addition to enhancing your visual results, having healthy muscle definition and improved strength can help you heal and recover from the procedure faster.

Adopt a Healthy Diet

A healthy, balanced diet will help you get closer to your goal physique and optimize your body for the healing process after liposuction. As you recover from surgery, your body will need adequate protein to rebuild tissues, antioxidants to reduce inflammation, and plenty of water to stay hydrated. It’s best to build these habits and find healthy recipes you enjoy well before your surgery! Try berries, dark leafy greens, vegetables like cucumber or celery, and healthy fats from foods like olive oil, avocado, or salmon. You can also try seasoning your food with spices like cinnamon and turmeric for added health benefits.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is awful for your health regardless of whether you’re having surgery. Did you know that nicotine can also slow your healing by reducing blood flow? Your results can be compromised because of these affects. Quitting smoking (or other forms of nicotine use) is hard and takes time, so get a head start as soon as you decide to have liposuction.

Make Plans for Recovery

During the recovery period, your ability to perform everyday tasks will be limited for the first few days as you heal. For this reason, it’s important to plan ahead by gathering essential items and arranging for a trusted friend or family member to assist you.

Before your liposuction surgery, buy easily prepared, healthy meals and snacks. It’s important to stay hydrated, so many patients also like to have Gatorade or other sports drinks on hand as they recover. You’ll also want comfortable and loose-fitting clothes. Some patients choose to have long charging cords for their devices available as well. Finally, make sure that you’ve arranged help with children or pets if necessary.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re interested in liposuction, schedule a consultation with Dr. Shienbaum from Brandon Plastic Surgery. Call (813) 359-1075 or request an appointment online.