Preparing for plastic surgery starts weeks before your procedure date, not the night before. The steps you take in advance, from adjusting your diet to setting up your home for recovery, directly affect how smoothly your surgery goes and how quickly you heal. Here’s what to do and when.
Stop Certain Medications and Supplements Early
Many common over-the-counter medications interfere with your blood’s ability to clot, which raises your risk of excessive bleeding during and after surgery. The big ones to stop are aspirin (Bayer, Excedrin, Bufferin), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve). UCLA Health’s plastic surgery department lists over 20 medications in this category, including prescription options like celecoxib (Celebrex), meloxicam, and diclofenac.
Most surgeons will ask you to stop these at least two weeks before your procedure, though the exact timeline varies. Herbal supplements like fish oil, vitamin E in high doses, ginkgo biloba, and garlic supplements can also thin your blood and should be paused. Review every medication and supplement you take with your surgeon’s office, including things that seem harmless. If you need pain relief in the weeks before surgery, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally considered safe, but confirm with your surgical team first.
Quit Nicotine at Least Three Weeks Out
Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for surgical complications. Smokers undergoing procedures like tummy tucks face roughly triple the risk of infection compared to nonsmokers, nearly triple the risk of delayed wound healing, and a 54% higher chance of needing a reoperation. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, which is exactly what your body needs most while healing from surgery.
Research shows that cellular damage from smoking begins to reverse after about three weeks of abstinence. Most plastic surgeons require a minimum of three to four weeks without nicotine before and after surgery. This includes cigarettes, vapes, nicotine patches, nicotine gum, and chewing tobacco. If you’re a regular smoker, start your quit date well ahead of schedule to give yourself a buffer.
Adjust Your Diet for Faster Healing
Your body needs specific building blocks to repair tissue after surgery, and the time to stock up is before you go under. Protein is the single most important nutrient for wound healing. Aim for 1.25 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily in the weeks leading up to your procedure. For a 150-pound person, that’s roughly 85 to 100 grams of protein per day. Chicken, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt, beans, and protein shakes can all help you hit that target.
Beyond protein, certain micronutrients play specific roles at each stage of healing. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, the process that literally builds new tissue and holds your incisions together. Zinc acts as a helper molecule in collagen production and supports skin cell maturation. Iron and B vitamins fuel the rapid cell growth that happens during the proliferation phase of healing. Eating a varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains will cover most of these bases. Your surgeon may also recommend specific supplements.
Follow the Skin Cleansing Protocol
In the days before surgery, you’ll likely be asked to shower with chlorhexidine gluconate (commonly sold as Hibiclens), an antimicrobial soap that reduces bacteria on your skin and lowers infection risk. Johns Hopkins Medicine’s protocol calls for three showers: two days before surgery, the night before, and the morning of.
The technique matters. Turn off the water before applying the soap so it doesn’t rinse away immediately. Apply it from the jawline down to your entire body, spending a full five minutes washing, with extra attention to the surgical area. Avoid getting it in your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or genital area. Don’t scrub aggressively, and don’t follow up with your regular soap afterward. On the morning of surgery, skip lotions, deodorant, perfume, and powder, all of which can interfere with the antiseptic’s effectiveness. If you’re allergic to chlorhexidine, antibacterial soap like Dial is an acceptable substitute.
Know the Fasting Rules
If you’re receiving general anesthesia, your stomach needs to be empty. Food or liquid in your stomach during anesthesia can be aspirated into your lungs, a potentially life-threatening complication. The American Society of Anesthesiologists sets clear minimums: stop eating solid foods at least 6 hours before your procedure, and stop drinking clear liquids at least 2 hours before. If your last meal included fried, fatty, or heavy foods, extend that to 8 hours or more since those take longer to digest.
Clear liquids include water, black coffee, tea without milk, and apple juice. Anything with pulp, milk, cream, or alcohol does not count. Your surgeon’s office will give you a specific cutoff time. Follow it exactly. If you eat or drink outside the allowed window, your surgery will likely be postponed.
Set Up Your Recovery Space at Home
You won’t feel like organizing anything after surgery, so prepare your home beforehand. Create a recovery station within arm’s reach of wherever you’ll spend most of your time. Stock it with your prescription medications, a phone charger, water, snacks like crackers or applesauce, baby wipes (gentle and great for freshening up when you can’t shower), tissues, and a thermometer.
If your procedure requires sleeping in an elevated or specific position, get a wedge pillow or extra pillows arranged before surgery day. Slip-on shoes or slip-resistant socks are essential since bending over to tie laces may be painful or restricted. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that you can pull on without raising your arms overhead, especially for breast or upper body procedures. Button-front or zip-front tops are ideal. Place anything you’ll need frequently, including remote controls, medications, and chargers, at counter or table height so you don’t have to bend or reach.
A cozy blanket or robe, a sleep mask, and earplugs can make a real difference in comfort during the first few days. If you live in a multi-story home, consider setting up your recovery space on the main floor to avoid stairs.
Arrange Your Caregiver in Advance
You will need someone with you for at least the first 24 hours after surgery, and most surgeons recommend having help for the first three days. This isn’t optional. Surgery centers typically require you to be discharged to a responsible adult, and you won’t be allowed to drive yourself home.
During the first day, your caregiver will need to help with basic tasks: getting you to and from the bathroom, preparing meals, managing your medication schedule, assisting with bandage changes, and monitoring you as you recover from anesthesia. You may feel groggy, nauseated, or unsteady on your feet. Even simple actions like standing up from a chair or getting into bed may require assistance. If you don’t have a friend or family member available, many plastic surgery practices can arrange for a licensed nurse or caregiver to stay with you, typically for one to three days. Plan this well ahead of your surgery date so there are no last-minute scrambles.
Prepare Mentally for the Recovery Timeline
One of the most overlooked aspects of surgical preparation is understanding that results take time. In the days and weeks after surgery, swelling, bruising, and general discomfort can make it hard to see progress. Many patients experience what’s sometimes called “post-op blues,” a period of low mood, anxiety, or regret that is common and usually temporary. Research tracking psychological outcomes after cosmetic procedures found that anxiety and quality of life measures were significantly improved by four months after surgery, with continued improvement through six months.
Swelling can persist for weeks or even months depending on the procedure. Final results from surgeries like rhinoplasty may not be fully visible for a year. Knowing this in advance helps set realistic expectations. If you have a history of anxiety or depression, discuss this with your surgeon beforehand. Patients with pre-existing mood concerns benefit from closer follow-up after surgery, as symptoms can temporarily worsen during recovery before improving.
Week-by-Week Preparation Checklist
- 4+ weeks before: Stop smoking and all nicotine products. Begin increasing protein intake. Schedule your caregiver.
- 2 weeks before: Stop aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and any flagged supplements. Stock your recovery station. Arrange loose, comfortable clothing.
- 2 days before: First chlorhexidine shower. Confirm your ride home and caregiver schedule. Prepare easy meals or freeze portions in advance.
- Night before: Second chlorhexidine shower. Stop eating solid food by the time your surgeon specified. Lay out your day-of clothing and pack a bag if staying overnight.
- Morning of: Third chlorhexidine shower. No lotions, deodorant, or perfume. You can sip clear liquids up to 2 hours before your procedure. Leave jewelry, contacts, and valuables at home.