Dr. Babak Azizzadeh is a globally recognized facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and he wants to help his patients prepare for all aspects of plastic surgery. That way, Dr. Azizzadeh’s patients can put themselves in position to enjoy exceptional treatment results.
As part of his commitment to patient care, Dr. Azizzadeh provides the following recommendations to those who are preparing for plastic surgery:
Undergo a Medical Evaluation
Meet with a doctor to receive a physical exam before undergoing plastic surgery. A doctor can identify any medical conditions that can disqualify a patient from certain plastic surgeries. Or, a doctor can determine if any preexisting conditions can put a patient’s health and safety in danger during a cosmetic procedure.
Dr. Azizzadeh won’t perform plastic surgery if he believes the procedure is too risky. Instead, he may offer non-surgical alternatives, since they won’t require a patient to go under the knife.
Furthermore, Dr. Azizzadeh discusses the potential risks of a cosmetic procedure before treatment. He ensures that a patient knows the pros and cons of plastic surgery and can make an informed decision regarding treatment.
Plan Your Plastic Surgery at a Date and Time That Works for You
If a patient requires immediate plastic surgery to correct a defect that impacts their ability to breathe or puts their health in danger, the procedure should be scheduled as soon as possible. Otherwise, if a patient is planning to undergo an elective plastic surgery, the procedure can be set up at a date and time that falls in line with their everyday schedule.
Keep in mind that it may take several weeks or months before a plastic surgery can be set up. As soon as a patient decides to undergo plastic surgery, consult with Dr. Azizzadeh. Together, Dr. Azizzadeh and his patient can schedule a date and time to perform a plastic surgery procedure.
Patients may want to consider scheduling plastic surgery during summer or winter breaks, too. Summertime is a popular period for college students to receive plastic surgery, as they may undergo a procedure at the beginning of summer and achieve their desired results by the end of the season. Meanwhile, the holiday season can provide opportunities to get additional time off from work or school, making it a great option for those who want to undergo a plastic surgery without disrupting their day-to-day schedule.
Know What to Expect During Plastic Surgery
Since Dr. Azizzadeh tailors a plastic surgery to his patient, each procedure is unique. As such, Dr. Azizzadeh educates his patient about plastic surgery, which allows him or her to plan for all stages of treatment.
If a patient has concerns or questions about plastic surgery at any point during treatment, notify Dr. Azizzadeh. Remember, plastic surgery can be complex, and concerns and questions can arise at any time. Dr. Azizzadeh can address patients’ concerns and questions, and he is ready to respond to them. In doing so, Dr. Azizzadeh helps his patients feel confident and comfortable with plastic surgery.
Along with addressing concerns and questions about plastic surgery, patients should find out if there are any instructions they need to follow to get ready for treatment. Dr. Azizzadeh provides his patients with pre- and post-plastic surgery instructions, and a patient is responsible for following them.
Pre- and post-plastic surgery instructions vary based on the procedure. For example, patients who take certain medications that can thin the blood may need to stop taking these medications temporarily leading up to plastic surgery, due in part to the recovery process associated with different treatments. He may also recommend a patient avoid eating or drinking after midnight prior to the morning of their plastic surgery if general anesthesia is required during treatment.
Dr. Azizzadeh helps a patient plan for plastic surgery and ensures that he or she can enjoy a seamless recovery process. He encourages a patient to ask questions in the time leading up to surgery. If a patient has concerns or questions during the recovery process, Dr. Azizzadeh is available to provide assistance.
Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking hinders the skin’s ability to absorb oxygen, which can lengthen the healing process after a plastic surgery. It also increases a patient’s risk of complications during various plastic surgeries. Therefore, smoking should be avoided for at least two weeks before plastic surgery.
Alcohol can have negative effects relative to the plastic surgery recovery process as well. Since alcohol can suppress the immune system, it should be avoided for at least 72 hours prior to plastic surgery.
Establish Realistic Expectations
The time it takes to recover from plastic surgery can be challenging, particularly for patients who are unsure about what to expect throughout the recovery period. However, with realistic expectations for plastic surgery, a patient will understand the side effects of surgery and when the results of treatment will become visible.
Plastic surgery recovery time differs based on the procedure, the surgical technique used, and other factors. Dr. Azizzadeh outlines the recovery timeline for a patient before he performs a plastic surgery. This helps a patient set realistic expectations for plastic surgery, as well as prepare for the recovery process.
Patients should not expect immediate facial rejuvenation after a plastic surgery, either. The results of a plastic surgery can become visible weeks, months, or years after treatment. But, with the right approach to plastic surgery recovery, a patient can boost the likelihood of achieving the best results of a procedure.
Prepare for the Trip Home from Surgery
An eyelid lift and other plastic surgeries can cause blurred vision and other problems that hamper a patient’s ability to drive home after treatment. Patients who undergo any of these surgeries should arrange for someone else to drive them home following their procedure.
In addition to following Dr. Azizzadeh’s instructions for plastic surgery recovery, patients should set up accommodations to streamline the recovery cycle. For instance, patients may need to take time off from work or school for a few weeks after a plastic surgery. Patients may also need to keep a bandaged area around an infection site clean, avoid strenuous activities, or follow other instructions to limit the risk of complications during the recovery process.
Aftercare facilities are available to accommodate plastic surgery patients as well. These facilities can be used by out-of-town and local patients alike, and they allow patients to get professional support throughout surgery recovery.
Get Your Home Ready for the Days and Weeks After Surgery
Patients may be required to keep the head elevated as much as possible, take showers instead of baths, and perform other activities during plastic surgery recovery. By preparing for plastic surgery recovery at home, patients can avoid the rush to transform their homes at the last moment to accommodate their recovery.
Setting up a comfortable space where a patient can rest at home is usually beneficial as part of the process of preparing for plastic surgery. Here, a patient can relax and focus exclusively on recovering from a plastic surgery procedure.
It can be helpful to prepare meals in advance of a plastic surgery as well. Patients who prepare meals before they undergo plastic surgery won’t have to worry about cooking in the days after treatment.
Plastic surgery patients can also benefit from having a caretaker at home after treatment. A caretaker is committed to helping a patient make a complete recovery from plastic surgery. Thus, a caretaker can provide valuable assistance to a plastic surgery patient that can lead to full treatment recovery.
Get Emotional Support
Plastic surgery can help rejuvenate the facial appearance, but the process of undergoing a surgical procedure and recovering from it can be overwhelming. By preparing for plastic surgery, a patient can plan ahead for challenges that can arise during treatment, as well as arrange to receive emotional support throughout the treatment process.
Getting emotional support is crucial for plastic surgery patients. It is common to feel anxious and overwhelmed as a surgery date approaches. Patients may have second thoughts about plastic surgery during this time. They may worry about their ability to properly prepare for surgery and the recovery period associated with it, too.
And, there may be times when a patient feels self-conscious about their facial appearance after surgery. This can contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression, due to the fact that patients have not yet achieved the full results of treatment. It can also cause patients to increasingly forgo social events and isolate from others until their recovery is complete.
Patients can benefit from scheduling phone calls and video chats with family members and friends before and after a plastic surgery. Although patients may be unable to engage in certain in-person activities while recovering from a plastic surgery, phone calls and video chats allow them to stay connected to loved ones. Phone calls and video chats enable patients to get emotional support any time they encounter plastic surgery recovery challenges, too.
Meeting with a mental health counselor can also be helpful before and after plastic surgery. Discussing plastic surgery challenges with a mental health counselor can help a patient develop techniques and strategies to cope with these challenges. Then, with these techniques and strategies in place, a patient is well-equipped to remain emotionally stable throughout plastic surgery recovery.
Plastic surgery is a process that extends beyond the procedure itself. The process requires a patient to consider the short- and long-term ramifications of surgery. Because, if a patient knows how a procedure will impact their facial appearance, he or she can plan ahead for emotional challenges during treatment. As a result, this patient can ensure that he or she can receive plenty of emotional support from family members, friends, and others throughout this period.
Use Relaxation Techniques
Plastic surgery recovery can be a stressful time. Fortunately, there are many things that patients can do to relax during the recovery cycle.
Some patients enjoy listening to soothing music or reading a book to alleviate post-plastic surgery stress. It can be helpful to perform deep breathing or meditation, both of which promote mindfulness and relaxation. Patients can also engage in yoga classes, as long as they do not interfere with plastic surgery recovery.
Take advantage of safe, healthy relaxation techniques whenever possible. Deep breathing and other relaxation techniques require only a few seconds to complete, and they can be performed virtually anywhere. These techniques can help patients stay calm, cool, and collected during their recovery. When used regularly, the techniques can help patients keep their stress levels in check throughout this period, too.
Remain Patient
The full results of plastic surgery won’t become visible overnight. Those who remain patient in the days and weeks after surgery can ensure their recovery process stays on track.
Dr. Azizzadeh is available to provide assistance to patients who are concerned about the results of plastic surgery. So, if a patient is worried that their surgery results, get in touch with Dr. Azizzadeh. At this time, Dr. Azizzadeh can meet with a patient to review their post-surgery progress. Dr. Azizzadeh can then determine if additional treatments are needed to help his patient revitalize their facial appearance.
Finally, it is important to note that there are risks associated with every plastic surgery. Dr. Azizzadeh takes measures to avoid surgery complications. But, if a patient believes he or she is dealing with surgery complications, be prepared to reach out to Dr. Azizzadeh right away. Dr. Azizzadeh can meet with a patient to correct any post-surgery problems in their early stages.
Get Help Preparing for Plastic Surgery from Dr. Azizzadeh
When it comes to plastic surgery, Dr. Azizzadeh goes above and beyond to prepare his patients. Dr. Azizzadeh recognizes that plastic surgery can raise many concerns and questions, and he addresses them before treatment. Also, Dr. Azizzadeh works diligently to help a plastic surgery patient achieve a balanced, natural-looking facial appearance. Dr. Azizzadeh monitors his patient’s progress after a plastic surgery to ensure that his patient achieves the best results as well.
Dr. Azizzadeh is available to discuss plastic surgery and help a patient determine if a surgical procedure can be used to enhance the facial appearance. To learn more or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh, please contact us online or call us today at 310-657-2203.