Plastic surgery has come a long way. Not so long ago, this type of treatment used to be a preserve for Hollywood celebrities and famous people. These procedures have now become widespread and have slowly evolved to be a mainstream branch of medicine. Every year, nearly 20 million people receive surgical and non-surgical plastic surgery procedures in the United States alone. These numbers are many times higher when examined from a global perspective. If you are planning to have your first plastic surgery in Baton Rouge LA, this post offers some practical tips to ensure a smooth experience and successful procedure outcome.

Understand your needs

The first step towards a smooth first plastic surgery experience is to understand your precise needs. What exactly are you trying to address? Is it a crooked nose, stubborn abdominal fat, small breasts, or facial wrinkles? The specific aesthetic concern that you have will go a long way to influence the type of cosmetic procedures that you should look into. For instance, patients who are looking to get rid of stubborn fat in the abdominal area can benefit from the likes of abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, and non-surgical options such as CoolSculpting and ThermiTight. Once you have a clear understanding of your needs, it’ll be easier to explore the landscape to see what options are available.

Learn about the procedure

Now that you know exactly what you are looking for, the next step is to learn more about what cosmetic surgeries are available. Attending an initial consultation visit with your Baton Rouge plastic surgeon is the first step towards figuring this out. Some patients may benefit from non-surgical plastic surgery options while others will need to undergo cosmetic surgery in order to achieve the best outcome. Once you and your surgeon have agreed on a procedure that is most suitable for you, you need to take the time to learn as much as possible about it. Pay special attention to how you should get rid of the treatment, the surgical techniques used, the recovery process, and expected outcomes.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is very important for individuals who are preparing to undergo plastic surgery of any kind. You need to equip your body with the nutrients it’ll need to be in tip-top shape to facilitate a quick and eventless recovery. Focus on a healthy diet weeks before the date of the surgery. Stay hydrated by drinking the daily required amount of water or healthy beverages. Quit smoking because it interferes with blood flow and can increase the risk of surgical complications. You should also avoid drinking because it can thin blood and increase the risk of excessive bleeding. All plastic surgeons will put a pause on any medication or supplements you are taking that are known to thin blood.

Choose a good plastic surgeon

Plastic surgery has become much more accessible as the number of surgeons has increased and techniques have improved. Most patients are satisfied with the outcome of their procedure. However, it is important you work with a highly seasoned plastic surgeon to increase the chance of a successful procedure outcome. Start by conducting an online search to find some of the top plastic surgeons in your city. Read reviews from other patients and check out before and after photos published on the surgeon’s main websites. Once you narrow down to the professional you want to work with, schedule a consultation visit to learn more about their approach. As a rule of the thumb, you should only work with plastic surgeons who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). While at the office, ask about the surgeon’s experience in the specific procedure you are looking to have and assess your comfort level with their style and approach.

Follow preparative instructions

Once you have settled on the surgeon you want to perform your cosmetic surgery, they should provide comprehensive pre-op instructions that you should adhere to until the surgery is performed. Your surgeon’s office should be available throughout the consultative phase to answer any questions you may have regarding preparations for the surgery.

Make plans ahead

It is important that you make arrangements for recovery ahead of time. Get some time off work so you can focus entirely on recovery. Keep in mind that the recovery duration will vary from one procedure to the other. Find someone to drive you home after the surgery and help out with basic chores over the first few days. Also, make sure to purchase your recovery supplies (including prescriptions) ahead of time. The idea is to have everything you need to so have can relax and give yourself time and space to heal as quickly as possible.