How to prepare for surgery

Before you read this, and especially if you have only incipient signs of aging, I recommend to learn to know about home made microneedling. If I had got to know microneedling at an earlier stage, I think that I could have postponed the surgical operations for a couple of years ahead.

I have prepared for my operations well in advance. Especially if you have to go back to work and be social as soon as possible after the surgery, it's a good idea to make a strategic plan.

The best time of the year for surgery is, I think, with recovery in mind, autumn or winter, when it's more natural to stay at home and indoors. In summer you might want to spend more outdoor life, sunbath and so on, which is limited if you have visible scars or have to use a lot of make-up. If the sugery is done in autumn or in the beginning of winter, you'll have months to recover in peace.

If surgery will be done to your face 

• Make sure that your hairdo makes it possible for you to partly hide your face. Long hair is of course an advantage.
• Because of the chemicals, you shouldn't dye your hair for a couple of weeks after the surgery. So if you use to dye your hair, do it about one week before the surgery, so you will also wash your hair at least once before the surgery, after dying your hair.
• It's also good to visit the hairdresser just before the surgery, so your scars will heal before your next visit. In this way, you will not have to explain to your hairdresser why you have scars in your scalp. 
• If you normally don't use make-up, it is a good idea to start using it a couple of weeks or so before the surgery. This is, because you don't want to draw attention after the surgery, because of rich use of make-up.It is guaranteed that you will have to use make-up to cover your bruises, so it's better to make people used to it at a stage when you don't have those bruises yet. 
• So, use in advance concealer, dark (lilac) and reddish eyeshadow; these colors will camouflage your bruises. I have even done such a manner, that a few days after the operation, I used eye shadow on one eyelid, and nothing at the other, since on the other eyelid I already had natural eye shadow: ie a bruise!
• These are the products with which I have fixed myself into representation shape 7-9 days after the surgery: 
• Bare minerals ready eyeshadow 4.0. A collection of four tones of eye shadows. Good covering and does not drain. 
• Laval powder blusher rouge, Damson tone. The rouge will sink in into your pores and give a light pink tone to your skin, which at this moment probably is either dark or yellowy. 
• Vichy Dermablend concealer (stick). 
• Vichy Dermablend sticking powder (colorless)
• If you don't have eyeglasses from before, you could get fake glasses, also this in advance. The glasses will hide any kind of marks very effectively, even swelling. 

If the operation is done somewhere else than in your own hometown 

• Find out about possibilities for accomodation. Generally the clinics offer the possibility, but it's usually quite expensive. 
• If you plan to accomodate somewhere else than at the clinic, remember that for example an ordinary hotel is not the best choice, since it's possible that you won't be able to appear to people during the first days after your operation. 
• If you choose to stay at a hotel, choose a hotel which offers some kind of possibilities for cooking. Bring the food needed in advance, which makes it possible for you to stay alone at your room until the worst swelling is gone. 
• Hire a furnished apartment for a week or so. This is quite expensive too, but it's very useful. At least in bigger cities there are firms that hire furnished apartments also for short periods. And don't forget about Airbnb! 
• If possible, go by car. For example travelling with train may be a bit difficult after the operation, if you have bruises and swelling. Especially if you happen to see acquaints! Of course, in bigger cities, also the possibilities for parking must be payed attention when considering using your own car. 

Nourishment

• Eat in advance and immediately after the operation food with K-vitamin. K-vitamin makes your blood coagulate better, so it will prevent bruises. Good K-vitamin sources are broccoli, kale, spinash and other green leaf vegetable, as well as vegetable oil and liver. 
• Anti-inflammatory medicines should not be used within two weeks before the operation, since they might cause haemorrhage and bruising. Also fish oil capsules, omega 3-6 and garlic may cause propensity for haemorrhage, and it's recommended to pause them for several weeks before the operation. 

Lymphatic drainage

• Lymphatic drainage somewhat reduces swelling. You could go once or twice in advance, and also after the surgery. Tell the therapist the reason why you're coming, so that he/she will be able to give you the right kind of lymphatic drainage. I haven't gone to lymphatic drainage every time, and I havnen't noteced any big differences. However, I don't specifically have propensity for swelling. 
• If you know that you swell easily, lymphatic drainage may be good in advance and afterwards.