MIAMI Vice: the "Drivethrough" experience

Cosmetic surgery "drive-throughs", especially in Miami, have been the craze for a few years. The idea of getting the desired cosmetic results at a fraction of the cost of your local providers seems very appealing. But what is the real cost of cosmetic surgery? What is the real story behind liposuction, tummy tucks, breast lifts, Brazilian butt lifts, and revisions of any kind? What do physicians not tell you about the real needs and affects? Here are some of the issues you need to know before undergoing surgery.

PRE-OP NEEDS:

If you are planning a cosmetic surgery you need to have a post-op shopping list. This list will cover your comfort, diet, recovery, and mental health for the 6 months+ recovering from whatever you undergo.

1. Surgical pads: Pads that are safe for open wounds and will not pull any scabs off. This will not only protect from burning and avoidable scarring but it will also add additional compression to your wound.

2. Arnica: whether tea, tablets, or gel, arnica is anti-inflammatory and helps with pain, fluid retention, bruising, and fat expelling. Start arnica several days before surgery.

3. Sleep: You're going to need a ton. If you are getting a BBL you will probably need to make special arrangements. Some fat transfer does not require the patient to stay off of it. If you are looking for the big peach type, you will most likely need to sleep in something that avoids putting pressure on the butt. A massage table and breast pillow from Amazon may be your best bet. As much as I LOVE supporting l9cal, Amazon also offers convenient cushions that provide the much-needed incline after stomach surgery.

4. Compression: Compression is the key. Know what you want to have done before you get there and then have the next-smaller size compression garment BEFORE you need it. This may also include foams and ab board. If you are getting muscle etching be careful of burns from rubbing. Tummy tucks do not usually use an ab board for this reason. If you do not compress adequately you run a high risk of seromas, fibroids, cording (a hardened backed-up vessel, and crystalization.

5. Protein-rich, low sodium, low sugar diet: protein drinks low in preservatives; smoothies; tuna salad; quinoa; and cottage cheese are among some of the best choices. They are easier to process and will give the necessary nutrients. One such protein to look for is albumin, which helps the lymph vessels to reabsort the fluid and heal more quickly. If you are usually vegetarian, introduce new foods gradually.

6. Sugar-free gummy goodness: yes, Im telling you to eat friggin candy. With proper serving size, sugar free gummy foods like worms and twizzlers have sugar alcohol, a huge stool helper for those who struggle in that area. For all else...

7. Hydrate!!!!: Don't drink so much water that you are vomiting, but please stay hydrated with pineapple juice, arnica, water, elecrolytes, beet juice, elderberry, and whatever is pure. Avoid anything that has a list of incredients bigger than your pinkie. If one of the first ingredients is "natural flavors" it is probably going to make you more thirsty. Fluids are what your body uses to flush out waste byproducts including anesthetic and tissue breakdown. Think of post op as like feeding a jaundiced baby. The more goodness you give it the less crap it keeps inside.

There are still so many things to address, but it is time to make hamburgers and I think one of my kids is planning to take over the world, so I will have to put this down for another time.

Just remember-YOU deserve to be happy and healthy, so stay positive and trust the process. Preserve the body you were given with clean fuel (most of the time) and a steady supply of attention to its care.