Making the choice to get a cosmetic procedure can be difficult, but now, you’re ready to take action to get the body you’ve dreamed of having so you can live life with confidence. If this is you, the stay-at-home orders may be especially frustrating because you’re ready to move forward into a more confident life. Fortunately, you can use this time to get ready for your cosmetic procedure so you can improve your results, decrease your recovery time, and get the habits in place that ensure you have long-lasting success, and our plastic surgeon in Raleigh is going to walk you through how to do it.
Reducing Your Body Mass Index Below 30
Virtually all of the cosmetic surgeries we perform, including a tummy tuck, liposuction, and getting breast implants, are more successful when the patient has a body mass index (BMI) of below 30 (an example of a BMI of 30 is a patient who is 64 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds). Not only are the results better for patients, but it’s much healthier, safer, and leads to a better recovery time. If you’re not sure what your BMI is, visit the CDC’s BMI calculator.
To reduce your body mass while in quarantine, focus on simple steps:
- Drinking water instead of high-calorie beverages like wine, soda, or sweetened coffees;
- Switch to whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and oats, rather than enriched grains like white bread, white rice, and pasta;
- Focus on getting 60 minutes of light to moderate exercise a day. This could be taking a 30 minute walk in the morning and doing 30 minutes of an exercise video on YouTube in the evening;
- Swap out sweet and salty snacks with healthier, more filling options like fresh vegetables with hummus, sliced fruit, light yogurt, and string cheese.
Getting Healthy Habits in Place
If you are planning a tummy tuck or a mommy makeover, you want to keep your toned, trim figure for as long as possible. Because a tummy tuck is about removing excess skin and tightening the muscles, it’s important to avoid gaining large amounts of weight, eating foods that consistently cause bloat, and living a sedentary lifestyle that causes your muscles to loosen.
Being under stay-at-home orders gives you an opportunity to get healthy habits in place, like the ones listed above for reducing your BMI. Also, you will want to factor in:
- Avoiding foods and drinks that cause bloating, like carbonated beverages, foods high in gluten and salt, or large amounts of beans, lentils, and cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli.
- Watch portion sizes and choose small meals throughout the day, rather than large meals. You want to avoid eating to a point that it distends your stomach, which can cause you to lose the results of a tummy tuck more quickly.
- Maintain an exercise regimen including 60 minutes of activity a day. Like above, this can include low impact movement like yoga and walking, but you will also want to get in the routine of working on exercises that help you maintain your tone.
- Stop smoking!
Prepare Freezer Meals
If you plan on having your procedure in the next three to four months, now is a great time to stock your freezer with healthy, easy-to-prepare meals. After your surgery, you won’t be able to get up and cook but you’ll want to eat healthy, nourishing meals. Having them on hand to slide into the oven will make your recovery much more convenient and enjoyable. For a good source of freezer meal ideas, check out Pinterest or look for a cookbook on Amazon.
Prepare for Your Consultation
If you haven’t scheduled your plastic surgery consultation yet, you can get ready for it so you can make the most out of your face-to-face time. Write down a list of questions to ask to avoid that blank mind moment during your appointment only to remember everything you wanted to know three days later (don’t worry – it happens to everyone!).
Schedule a Consultation for Plastic Surgery in Raleigh Today
Our plastic surgery center in Raleigh is open and board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Ortiz is scheduling consultations with new patients, both in-person and via telehealth appointments. We are following strict safety precautions and guidelines to keep our patients safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, but are also making it possible for you to get the care and surgical treatment you want to get done. To make an appointment, reach out today at (919) 532-2270 or fill out our easy-to-use online contact form below to schedule a consultation!