To get an excellent result from your plastic surgery procedure, there some checkboxes you’ll want to tick leading up to your procedure. You need a knowledgeable and experienced surgeon, realistic expectations and overall good health. But there is another very important element – you!

The things that you do leading up to your liposuction procedure have the potential to greatly impact your surgery results. So, what is it that you should do before liposuction?

Hit your goal weight

There is no specific weight you need to achieve before getting liposuction. However, a key liposuction prep tip is to reach your target weight, or at least get close to it, several months before your surgery.

Remember that reaching your goal weight is different from achieving your ideal body. Many people still have stubborn excess fat in specific areas, even after getting within range of their target weight. This is how liposuction can help.

Build muscle

While removing exercise-resistant fat can certainly help you achieve the leaner, slimmer contour you want, it’ll be up to you to tone the underlying muscles that this procedure may reveal. If you want “six-pack” abs, for example, you’ll need to work on that muscle group. Liposuction does the heavy lifting of removing the stubborn fat that covers those muscles up.

For best results, start focusing on building muscles several months before your procedure. In addition to helping you get the look you want sooner after surgery, this can also improve your strength and position you for faster healing.

Change your diet

Eating healthy is always advisable, but when you are gearing up for liposuction, it’s even more important. There are two goals you should have with your pre-liposuction diet: boost health for better healing and increase skin elasticity. Luckily, there is a lot of overlap between the two. To follow this liposuction prep tip, target foods high in antioxidants and water, such as:

• Berries of all kinds, including blueberries, blackberries and acai
• Celery
• Cucumber
• Healthy oils, like olive and walnut oil
• Omega 3 fatty acids
• Squashes, such as pumpkin and zucchini
• Certain spices, including cinnamon and turmeric

Additionally, be sure to drink plenty of water.

Stop using nicotine

Nicotine use is well known to sabotage the results of plastic surgery. By restricting blood vessels, nicotine decreases the blood flow throughout your body. Plastic surgery is extremely delicate, and your blood vessels play a major role in the results. If they are restricted, the results are compromised.

Excellent blood flow can also greatly impact your recovery process, from how fast you heal to how great your risk of developing a blood clot is. To ensure a safe surgery and recovery, stop smoking as soon as you schedule your liposuction procedure.

Prep your home

Finally, something easy to do before liposuction is to get your home ready for your recovery period. While you are likely to bounce back fairly quickly, you will need to take a few days of downtime to rest and relax. Some things to consider when prepping your home include:

• Buying easy-to-prepare foods
• Organizing your wardrobe so comfortable clothes are easy to find
• Getting extra-long charge cords for your electronic devices
• Arranging for help with children or pets
• Putting essential items within easy reach of your bed

Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon if there are any other steps that they would suggest to help you get your home recovery ready.

A little work delivers lasting results

While it might seem annoying to have to think about so many variables leading up to your liposuction procedure, remember that their purpose is to give you the best possible starting point for recovery and lasting results. While there is nothing you can do before liposuction that will guarantee perfect results, following these liposuction prep tips will set you up for success.