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- A good, well balanced diet will help your body to heal properly.
- Give up the simple carbs/sugars and start eating complex carbs and adequate amounts of protein rich foods.
- Spinach salads provide vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron.
- It is very important to mellow out your glucose levels. High glucose levels slow healing.
- I discontinued all herbs and supplements and took one multi-vitamin, twice daily, and one vitamin C tab (500mg), once per day, starting one month prior to surgery.
- Do not ingest COX2 inhibitors, at least 3-4 weeks prior to surgery. They will extend bleed time and slow healing. Foods, such as garlic, onion, ginger, green teas, turmeric, and more, are natural COX2 inhibitors. No flax oil, vitamin E (okay within your multivitamin), fish oils or too much omega 3. No aspirin, aspirin compounds, ibuprophen, herbs, etc. Consult your Plastic Surgeon for specifics.
- Drink plenty of water to ensure that your body is kept adequately hydrated.
- Exercise helps to prepare you for the surgical marathon. I started climbing 4 flights of stairs 2-3 times per day, about 6-7 months, prior to surgery. However, even one month of exercise would be helpful.
- Take good, deep breaths and slowly exhale to exercise your lungs.
- If you smoke...stop, preferably for good, but at least a minimum of 3 weeks, prior to surgery. 3-4 months or more would be ideal...otherwise, you are jeopardizing the success of the surgery, where the vessels and healing are concerned. The longer the abstinence, the greater potential for success. You will not be able to resume smoking for at least 2-3 weeks post surgery.
- Three (3) days prior to surgery and on the morning of surgery, wash with Hibiclens soap...from neck to thighs. You can generally find it in drug stores, such as Walgreens. The skin on our bodies carry staph bacteria, naturally. Hibiclens is a strong antibacterial soap. If you cannot get the Hibiclens, some docs recommend Dial soap.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have done the best that you can to make your body as healthy as you can get it, prior to surgery. It is a team effort. You do the best you can for yourself, and the docs will do the rest.
Disclaimer: Information presented within the pages of this website is, for the most part, that of my opinion and for informational purposes only and not to be used in place of the advice of your medical provider. You are strongly encouraged to seek the advice of your medical provider and to conduct your own research on any topic of interest, for fact finding.
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