Surgery Preparation Process

How Should You Prepare for Aesthetic Surgery?

Aesthetic surgery operations are surgical interventions performed to improve a person’s appearance, increase self-confidence and eliminate some health problems. However, for these operations to be successful, not only the surgery itself but also the preoperative preparation process is extremely important. Preoperative considerations not only ensure that the operation takes place safely, but also accelerate the healing process and minimize the risks of postoperative complications.

In this article, we will cover all the important details you need to know when preparing for plastic surgery. We will discuss in detail topics such as nutrition, medication, lifestyle changes, preoperative tests and hospital preparation. If you are planning a plastic surgery, you can manage the process in a more conscious and healthy way thanks to this guide.

Why is the Preoperative Process Important?

Preoperative preparation is a critical period both to ensure the safety of the surgical procedure and to accelerate postoperative recovery. Mistakes made during this process can lead to unwanted complications during and after surgery. For example, consuming blood-thinning drugs or foods before surgery can cause excessive bleeding during the operation. Similarly, smoking can negatively affect tissue healing and increase the risk of infection.

The preoperative process requires physical, biological and psychological preparation. This preparation may vary according to the type of surgery, the general health status of the person and the doctor’s recommendations. However, there are some basic rules that generally apply to most plastic surgery operations.

Preoperative Nutrition and Fasting Period

Your eating habits are of great importance before surgery. The right nutrition plan should be applied to ensure that the body recovers faster during and after surgery.

Fasting Time and Considerations

During any surgical operation, the patient’s stomach and intestines must be empty. Therefore, nothing should be eaten or drunk for 6 to 8 hours before surgery. The purpose of this period is to prevent stomach contents from escaping into the lungs (aspiration) during anesthesia.

If the operation is to be performed in the morning, eating and drinking should be completely stopped after 24.00 at night.
For operations to be performed in the afternoon, a light breakfast can be eaten until 06.00 in the morning at the latest, but nothing should be consumed afterwards.
Even drinking water is forbidden. Liquids such as water, tea, coffee and milk should not be consumed during fasting.
In some special cases, certain medicines can be taken on the advice of a doctor. For example, people with chronic diseases (blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) can take certain medications with minimal amounts of water under the supervision of a doctor.

Blood Thinning Foods and Their Effects

One of the most important issues to be considered before surgery is to limit the consumption of foods that may increase the risk of bleeding. In particular, foods that have a blood-thinning effect can lead to unwanted complications during and after surgery. Foods that directly affect blood clotting can cause excessive bleeding during surgery or delay the postoperative healing process.

In this section, we will provide detailed information about blood-thinning foods, their effects on the surgical process and the duration of consumption.

Blood Thinning Foods and Their Effects

Blood-thinning foods contain ingredients that delay blood clotting or have a direct anticoagulant (blood-thinning) effect. These foods should be stopped at least 10 days before surgery to avoid excessive blood loss during surgery and to avoid adversely affecting the healing process.

Spices and Herbal Supplements

Some spices and herbal supplements have a direct blood-thinning effect. Especially herbal supplements consumed regularly may adversely affect the surgical process.

Blood Thinning Spices:

Turmeric: Contains curcumin, which is a powerful blood thinner and delays clotting.
Ginger: It accelerates blood flow and causes the blood to become more liquid.
Cinnamon: Contains a substance called coumarin, which can thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding.
Red Pepper: The substance called capsaicin increases the fluidity of the blood and delays clotting.

These spices should be removed from the preoperative diet, especially if consumed regularly.

Fruits and Vegetables

Some fruits and vegetables have a natural blood-thinning effect due to the vitamins and minerals they contain.

Blood Thinning Fruits:

Grapefruit: By thinning the blood, it may interact with medicines.
Pomegranate: Rich in antioxidants and may delay blood clotting.
Cranberries May increase the risk of bleeding by speeding up blood circulation.
Cherry Consumption should be limited before surgery as it has a blood-thinning effect.
Strawberry May have aspirin-like effects and cause blood thinning.
Plum It is one of the fruits that accelerate blood circulation.

Blood Thinning Vegetables:

Tomatoes: Contains lycopene, which can increase blood viscosity.
Spinach Rich in vitamin K, which regulates blood clotting. Excessive consumption may cause blood thinning.
Onions and garlic: They act as natural antibiotics and cause blood thinning at the same time.

Although these fruits and vegetables are healthy, they should be consumed in a controlled manner in the preoperative period.

Oils and Liquids

Some oils and drinks can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery by acting as blood thinners.

Blood Thinning Oils and Fluids:

Olive oil: Although it is heart-friendly, it can cause blood thinning when consumed in excess.
Fish Oil: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil is a natural blood thinner.
Green Tea: The polyphenols it contains can delay clotting by accelerating blood circulation.
Tomato juice: May increase blood viscosity.
Lemon Juice: While regulating blood pressure, it may also have a blood-thinning effect.

If you regularly consume these oils and drinks, it is important to consult your doctor before surgery.

Blood-thinning Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds can have a blood-thinning effect due to their healthy fats.

Blood Thinning Nuts:

Walnuts: May delay clotting by speeding up blood circulation.
Almonds: Its natural oils can increase the fluidity of the blood.
Hazelnuts: Since they are rich in vitamin K, consumption should be limited before surgery.

Blood Thinning Seeds:

Black cumin seed: Contains components that thin the blood.
Flaxseed: Rich in omega-3 and may have blood-thinning properties.

These nuts and seeds should not be consumed before surgery to maintain normal blood clotting levels.

When to Avoid Blood-thinning Foods?

Blood-thinning foods should be removed from the diet at least 10 days before surgery. Because the effect of these foods may remain in the body for several days and may increase the risk of excessive bleeding during surgery.

In the postoperative period, some blood-thinning foods can be started to be consumed again according to the doctor’s recommendation. However, the stitches must heal completely and the bleeding must stop completely.

What Should People Consuming Blood-thinning Foods Do?

If you regularly consume blood-thinning foods and are planning a plastic surgery operation, you should take the following precautions:

Review your eating habits. Take note of the spices, fruits and herbal supplements you consume regularly and consult your doctor.
Stop taking herbal supplements. Some ingredients in herbal teas and supplements can cause blood thinning.
Continue to eat a balanced diet. When stopping blood-thinning foods, focus on consuming foods that support healing after surgery. Foods high in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals will support healing.
Act under the supervision of a doctor. Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

Consumption of blood-thinning foods is an important factor that directly affects the operation process. These foods should be avoided for at least 10 days before surgery. Especially if natural blood thinners such as turmeric, ginger, pomegranate, pomegranate, cherry, green tea and fish oil are consumed, stopping these foods before surgery is critical for a safe operation process.

People planning aesthetic surgery should organize their diet under the supervision of a doctor and take the necessary precautions to prepare for the surgery process in the best way.

Preoperative Medication Use

Medications used before surgery can affect the surgical process. In particular, blood thinners, hormone medications and some painkillers can cause complications during surgery.

Medicines to be discontinued

Aspirin and blood thinners (should be stopped 10 days before surgery)
Medicines and supplements containing vitamin E (may increase the risk of bleeding)
Birth control pills (in some cases it may be necessary to take a break under the supervision of a doctor)
Steroid and hormone medications
Sexual function drugs (Viagra, Cialis, etc.)
Some antidepressants and tranquilizers (you should consult your doctor)

Some medicines should continue to be taken under the supervision of a doctor. In particular, blood pressure medications, diabetes medications and thyroid medications should be used according to the doctor’s recommendation.

Preoperative Lifestyle Changes

One of the factors that directly affect the success of the surgery and the healing process is the lifestyle of the person. Changing some habits before surgery helps you to have a faster recovery process after surgery.

Smoking and Alcohol Use

Smoking should be stopped at least 2 weeks before surgery. Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, delaying tissue healing and increasing the risk of infection.
Alcohol consumption should be stopped at least 1 week before surgery. Alcohol can weaken the body’s immune system and increase the risk of bleeding.

Stress Management and Psychological Preparedness

It is important to reduce stress and anxiety before surgery. Having a detailed conversation with your doctor before the operation and being informed about the process can reduce the anxiety of surgery.
Sleep patterns are important. Getting enough sleep before surgery allows the body to recover better after the operation.
If exercising regularly, overly strenuous activities should be avoided. Especially in the last days before surgery, heavy sports activities should be stopped and the body should be allowed to rest.

The preparation process before aesthetic surgery is very important. Factors such as proper nutrition, paying attention to medication, quitting smoking and alcohol consumption directly affect the success rate of the surgery. Following the doctor’s recommendations and acting consciously before the operation ensures that the operation is safer and more successful.