5 Things to Do before Body Contouring for Better Results

Body contouring procedures like liposuction, tummy tucks and mommy makeovers are popular among people of nearly any age who need a little extra help getting the body shape they want. Once you’ve chosen an experienced plastic surgeon and are ready to start your journey to achieving a slimmer, fitter you, it’s time to start preparing for your procedure.

Check these five body contouring tips off your list before the big day to help you get the absolute most out of your procedure.

1. Establish Realistic Goals

Although liposuction and abdominoplasty can help to fine-tune your curves, these treatments aren’t meant to act as weight loss tools and therefore can’t take the place of good old-fashioned diet and exercise. With that in mind, you’ll need to create realistic, achievable goals for your end results that take into account your natural body type and starting weight.

As a general rule, it’s best to come as close as possible to your target weight before your procedure for the best outcome.

2. Reach a Stable Weight

In your efforts to reach target weight before getting liposuction, a tummy tuck  or a mommy makeover, resist the temptation to crash diet. This almost always results in dramatic weight fluctuations, which can interfere with the quality of your body contouring results.

3. Ask Questions

Instead of yo-yo dieting, adopt realistic diet and exercise habits that you can maintain even after plastic surgery for long-lasting results. Prior to your surgery date, you should be keeping an open line of communication with your plastic surgeon to help you prepare. He or she will most likely provide you with detailed instructions and tips to prepare for body contouring, but don’t be afraid to ask any questions that you might think of along the way.

A few important questions to make sure you ask are:

• What medications do I need to stop taking?
• How long should I take off of work?
• What can I expect during recovery?
• When will I see my final results?

The more you know and understand before your procedure, the smoother and easier your recovery process can be.

4. Plan Ahead

In the last few weeks before your body contouring procedure, make arrangements for help with your normal responsibilities so you can rest and relax as soon as you get home, knowing that everything and everyone is already taken care of.

If you have kids, be sure to make plans for another responsible adult to help you take care of them. Since you won’t be able to do any heavy lifting during the first stages of recovery, you’ll also need some assistance with things like laundry, grocery shopping and other household duties.

Finally, create a relaxing recovery space for yourself ahead of time so you have nothing to worry about after your plastic surgery. Get cleaning done and out of the way in advance, and equip your space with plenty of fluffy pillows, blankets, books and movies.

5. Manage Stress

Even though it might seem like there are a million different things that need to be done before your procedure, try not to stress yourself out. Stay calm, relax and remind yourself that you’ve made all of the necessary preparations to help make your body contouring procedure and recovery time as smooth and seamless as possible. Now all that’s left to do is focus on your final results!