FIRST, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE A HEALTHY IMC BEFORE UNDERGOING PLASTIC SURGERY?
It is important that you are able to maintain a stable and healthy weight (and BMI) before surgery, because weight gain after plastic surgery will negatively affect your results.
Being overweight is also detrimental to your surgical experience, as it can increase the risk of complications and excessive swelling as your body tries to heal.
WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO LOSE WEIGHT BEFORE SURGERY?
Your BMI, an estimate of your body fat percentage, affects the results of cosmetic surgery in many ways.
Your BMI will have an impact on the results of reconstructive plastic surgery as well as purely cosmetic surgery procedures, including how long the results of your surgery and your cosmetic appearance will last.
Your weight may also affect the risks of complications from plastic surgery.
The healthier your BMI is prior to surgery, the less likely you are to experience potential complications or end up with a result you are not as happy with.
Your BMI is a relevant measure of your body fat content; however, there may be other factors about your body composition that can affect your surgical experience.
But it’s not just your body weight that will affect the results of your surgery.
Your overall health, your daily habits, the condition of your skin and your body fat content versus lean muscle tissues also have an impact.
IF YOU HAVE FROM 5 TO 10 EXTRA KILOS:
Having only 5 to 10 kilos may not seem like much to lose, but these last few kilos can also be the hardest to shift.
Try to take 3 to 6 months to lose 5 to 10 kilos, respectively.
Do nothing drastic and avoid fad diet regimens, which rarely last.
Instead, use scientifically validated meal plans.
THE BEST WAYS TO LOSE UP TO 10 KILOS
Drink enough water: at least 10 to 15 large glasses a day (and no, soft drinks and coffee don’t count).
Keep track of what you eat, with a food consumption diary; as what is measured can be monitored, and vice versa (keeping track of what you are consuming helps keep you “calorie aware” rather than mindlessly eating).
Avoid alcohol and packaged products, as they often contain high calories and excess sugar.
Read labels and AVOID hidden sugars in foods such as cereal muesli or protein bars (there is a lot of hidden sugar).
Exercise regularly but add more cardio and muscle building activities (muscle mass burns more calories per day than body fat), ideally under the guidance of a qualified personal trainer or physical therapist (and listen to your body/honor any previous injuries – don’t overdo where it hurts or tense muscles).
Eat healthy every 4 to 5 hours while awake.
Consider limiting carbohydrates and focusing on lean proteins, but under the guidance of a weight loss expert or a general practitioner or medical professional.
Eat more vegetables and fruits instead of carbohydrates
Using olive oil and balsamic vinegar, for flavor, but avoiding margarine and fried foods.
Most importantly, be patient and know that slow weight loss, over time, is often more sustainable than rapid weight loss and fad dieting.
