How to Prepare for Any Plastic Surgery

Before your surgery is scheduled, your surgical team needs a clear, current picture of your health. Getting this part right early prevents delays later.

• Pre-op labs and testing. Your surgeon will order bloodwork and possibly an EKG or other tests based on your age and health history. Schedule these as soon as your surgery date is set — most facilities want results finalized one to two weeks before surgery, not the week of.
• Medication and supplement review. Bring a complete list of everything you take — prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements — to your pre-op visit. Certain medications and supplements thin the blood or interact with anesthesia, so your surgeon may ask you to pause specific ones in the days or weeks beforehand. Never stop a prescribed medication on your own; always confirm the plan with the prescribing doctor and your surgeon together.
• Smoking and nicotine cessation. Nicotine — from cigarettes, vaping, patches, or gum — narrows blood vessels and slows the flow of oxygen to healing tissue. That makes it one of the single biggest controllable risk factors for poor wound healing and skin loss after surgery. Most surgeons ask for a minimum of four weeks nicotine-free before surgery and through your full recovery; the longer you can extend that window beforehand, the better your tissue will tolerate the stress of surgery.
• Alcohol. Stop drinking alcohol for at least 48–72 hours before surgery, and ideally longer. Alcohol affects blood clotting and can interact with anesthesia and pain medication.
• Chronic condition management. If you manage diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, or a similar condition, your surgeon and your primary care physician will want your numbers as stable as possible heading into surgery. Keep every appointment in the weeks before your procedure, and flag any recent changes in your condition right away.
• Informed consent. You'll review and sign consent forms outlining the procedure, risks, and alternatives. Read these closely and ask questions until you fully understand them — a rushed signature is never required, and a good surgical team will always make time for your questions.

The best time to solve a logistics problem is before surgery, not during recovery when you're sore and tired.

• Consents and paperwork. Confirm all consent forms, pre-op instructions, and facility paperwork are signed and returned by the deadline your surgical office gives you.
• Financial and insurance clarity. Elective plastic surgery is typically not covered by insurance, so confirm total costs — surgeon's fee, anesthesia, facility fee, and any garments or follow-up visits — in writing before your procedure date. If you're financing the surgery, finalize that plan early so it isn't a source of stress the week of surgery.
• Transportation. Arrange a responsible adult to drive you home after surgery. You will not be able to drive yourself — anesthesia and pain medication affect your reflexes and judgment for longer than you'll feel like admitting.
• Caregiver arrangement. Line up someone to stay with you for at least the first 24 hours home, longer for more involved procedures. This person doesn't need medical training — they need to help you get up safely, remind you to take medication on schedule, and watch for anything that seems off.
• Home setup. Before surgery day, set up a comfortable recovery spot — ideally somewhere you won't need to climb stairs often. Keep water, medications, chargers, and entertainment within arm's reach. Wash sheets and towels in advance so you're not doing laundry with stitches in.
• Work and leave planning. Talk to your employer about time off well ahead of your date, and request any documentation your surgeon's office needs to provide. Plan for more recovery time than you think you'll need — it's much easier to return to work a few days early than to push through before you're ready.

• Pain management. Expect soreness, tightness, and pressure rather than sharp pain in most cases — your surgical team will give you a specific pain management plan, often combining medication with rest, ice, and positioning. Take pain medication on the schedule you're given rather than waiting until pain is severe; staying ahead of discomfort is far more effective than chasing it.
• Drains. Some procedures require a temporary surgical drain to remove excess fluid while tissue heals. If you have one, you'll be taught how to empty and measure it before you leave the facility. Keep a small notebook or your phone handy to log output — your surgeon will use this to decide when it's safe to remove.
• Garments and compression. Many procedures involve a compression garment or supportive bra to reduce swelling, support healing tissue, and improve final results. Wear it exactly as directed — this is not a "when it feels right" instruction, and skipping it can affect your outcome.
• Positioning. You may be asked to sleep elevated, avoid lying flat, or avoid certain positions for a period of time. Set up your recovery space with extra pillows or a wedge pillow in advance so this is comfortable, not a nightly struggle.
• Activity restrictions. Expect limits on lifting, bending, and raising your arms overhead in the first days to weeks, depending on your procedure. These restrictions protect your results as much as your safety — don't rush them because you feel "fine."

Shopping after surgery is the last thing you'll want to do. Stock these general categories before your procedure — visit your specific procedure page for garment and supply details unique to your surgery.

• Kitchen and food setup: pre-made freezer meals, high-protein snacks, a good water bottle you'll actually reach for, a small cooler or mini-fridge for your recovery spot, straws (helpful if reaching or tilting your head is limited).
• Comfort items: an extra-firm wedge or reading pillow for elevated sleep, a soft throw blanket, a robe that opens in front, loose button-front or zip-front tops.
• Mobility aids: a reacher/grabber tool, a sturdy stool for the shower if needed, non-slip socks or slippers.
• Wound care supplies: gentle unscented soap, extra gauze and medical tape (if not provided by your surgeon), a small mirror for checking hard-to-see incisions, silicone scar sheets or gel (for later in recovery).
• General comfort and entertainment: a phone/tablet stand, headphones, a stack of books or a streaming queue — recovery involves more downtime than most people expect.

• Days 1–3: Rest is the job. Short walks around the house to support circulation; no driving, no lifting beyond very light objects.
• Week 1: Most patients see their surgeon for a first follow-up visit to check incisions and, if applicable, remove drains. Light walking increases; screen time and desk work in short sessions may be possible depending on the procedure.
• Weeks 2–3: Many patients return to non-physical work. Swelling and bruising visibly improve. Driving typically resumes once you're off prescription pain medication and can move comfortably.
• Weeks 4–6: A common milestone for resuming light exercise — walking briskly, stationary cycling — with your surgeon's clearance. This is also typically when compression garment wear tapers.
• Weeks 6–12: Most patients are cleared for full exercise, including strength training, running, and higher-impact activity, procedure-dependent. Scars are still actively fading during this window.
• 3–12 months: Final results continue to settle and refine. Scars soften and lighten. Follow-up visits become less frequent, often shifting to a final check around the one-year mark.

Every timeline shifts based on your specific procedure, your health, and how your body responds — visit your procedure-specific page for a more detailed week-by-week breakdown, and always defer to your own surgeon's instructions over any general timeline.