Can My Diet Affect Plastic Surgery Outcomes?

You are what you eat, or so the old saying goes. To a certain extent, it’s true. Certain foods are better for your health than others, and they can have a major impact on your appearance. This is crucial information for plastic surgery patients, who may be better off avoiding certain foods.

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Marcus H. Crawford has helped countless patients in the Atlanta and Marietta, GA area improve their pre-op and post-op diet for optimal surgical outcomes. Let’s take a moment to consider why your diet matters. We’ll then offer tips on what you should and should not eat as a plastic surgery patient.

Healing, Wellness, and What You Eat

If you eat a healthy and well-balanced diet, you’re more likely to be in good overall health. People with good diets tend to be closer to a more ideal weight, have better blood pressure, and are less likely to suffer from medical problems that can negatively impact recovery.

This is why good eating habits and regular physical activity are considered good signs of healthy living. For body contouring patients, you may be asked to eat healthy and exercise more to help eliminate excessive e body fat, allowing you to achieve optimal surgical outcomes.

Certain Foods Are Better Than Others

Some foods are better than others when it comes to a healthy diet. Junk food, fast foods, and foods that are heavily processed are typically bad for your health. These foods are usually packed with empty calories, excessive sodium, and much more sugar than your body needs.

Whenever possible, it’s best to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, lean sources of protein, and whole grains. If you’re thirsty, avoid soda and sugary fruit juices and instead opt for a glass of water. It may be a good idea to eat whole foods (i.e., foods with as few processed ingredients as possible) and meals comprised of whole food ingredients as much as possible.

What You Should Eat Before Plastic Surgery

Before plastic surgery, you’ll typically be asked to eat healthy to prepare your body for the healing process. As noted above, it’s best to avoid heavily processed foods and fast food.

While your individual dietary needs may vary, we recommend that patients focus on having fresh fruits and vegetables and hydrating regularly with water. For healthy proteins, consider legumes, tofu, soy, fish with a low-mercury content, and lean meats.

What You Should Eat After Plastic Surgery

After plastic surgery, it’s best to continue eating clean and healthy so your body has natural sources of energy to repair itself. In the lead up to your surgery date, it may be a good idea to prepare some post-op meals ahead of time. That way you can just reheat delicious and nutritious food while you focus on rest. Having a loved one present to aid with food preparation is also a good idea.

Ideal Eating Habits for Lasting Cosmetic Surgery Results

If you want to avoid gaining weight and maintain a healthy glow for your skin, it’s important that you continue eating healthy for the foreseeable future. Many patients who undergo plastic surgery start living healthier so the benefits of their procedure can last as long as possible.

We can offer more tips or lasting surgical results when you stop by Crawford Plastic Surgery for a consultation.

Learn More About Getting Great Plastic Surgery Results

If you would like to learn more about healing after plastic surfer and looking your absolute best, be sure to contact a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Crawford and his team are here to help you look your best.