If you are planning to undergo a cosmetic procedure to improve your appearance, there are things that you can do to better prepare for your procedure. The right preparations could make the entire process easier on yourself and the surgeon and may even speed up your recovery time. Here are some of the best ways to prepare for your upcoming cosmetic surgery.

Start Consuming More Healthy Nutrients

Certain nutrients that are found in foods and in supplement form can help your body heal and prevent certain infections that could arise from the surgery. It’s best to consume plenty of foods that are loaded with vitamin C, such as oranges, peaches and bell peppers, in the days leading up to your surgery as well as after your procedure during the recovery period. As Medical News Today states, apricots, sweet potatoes and other foods that contain a lot of vitamin A are also good to eat before and after surgery. You should additionally be eating more foods that are rich in zinc, selenium and copper to give your body the most health benefits during your pre- and post-operative stages.

Make Transportation Arrangements Beforehand

You’ll want to have reliable transportation to and from your surgery so that you won’t have to worry about driving. Trying to drive after surgery can be especially dangerous if you’re still feeling the effects of anesthesia that can make you drowsy and despondent behind the wheel. Some surgeons will even refuse to perform the procedure if a patient has no reliable transportation to get to and from the surgery center.

Prepare Your Home Before Your Surgery

Following your cosmetic procedure, you may have trouble maneuvering, and this can create additional challenges if you haven’t prepared your home setting ahead of time. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends that you pre cook your meals before your procedure so that you won’t have to worry about preparing them as you’re trying to recover from surgery. It’s also best to arrange for a caretaker to help you in your first days of recovery. If you can buy or rent a hospital-style bed that you can raise to a seated position and lower yourself to an inclined position, that will also be to your advantage.

Avoid Taking Certain Medicines

Even though taking medicine is supposed to be good for you, certain medications are known to cause complications during surgery and may put your health at risk if you take them too close to the day of your procedure. It’s generally best to stop taking aspirin one week before surgery to lessen the chances of experiencing heavy bleeding, but your doctor may allow you to keep taking it if it’s at a low dose. Naprosyn, ibuprofen and coumadin should also not be taken one week prior to surgery. You may be tempted to take ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation after surgery, but Washington State Physicians advise against doing so.

Drink Enough Water

Getting enough hydration is especially important in the days leading up to your surgery. It’s best to drink six to eight glasses worth of high-quality water in the days leading up to your cosmetic procedure. However, your doctor may forbid you from drinking anything 12 to 24 hours before your surgery, depending on your exact procedure, but your body should still be well-hydrated if you’ve had enough water or other nondiuretic beverages in the immediate days beforehand.

Consider a Stool Softener

Constipation after your surgery may not be an issue depending on your specific procedure and how well your body responds to it, but using a stool softener can help keep this problem from occurring. A store-bought stool softener may work well if your doctor says that it’s safe to take, or you could also try eating some prunes shortly before and in the immediate days after your surgery. Your surgeon may even prescribe a stool softener to make bowel movements easier.

Preparing the right way for your cosmetic surgery can help you in many ways. In addition to these tips, your surgeon can provide other key pieces of information that will help you in your preparation and recovery from surgery.