Elective surgery is unique in that you choose it to feel more confident in your body and give yourself a fresh outlook on life. Even when the decision is entirely your own, the effort you invest beforehand can profoundly affect how smoothly you heal and your satisfaction with your results.
With advanced training in aesthetic medicine, board-certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Stephanie Farber has seen this truth hold steady throughout her career. Elective surgery may be optional, but the work you put in to prepare is essential.
This guide breaks down what you should do before your procedure to feel confident, informed, and ready.
What Every Patient Should Know Before the Operating Room
Unlike a medically urgent procedure, elective surgery gives you time to prepare physically and mentally. You can find a surgeon whose aesthetic philosophy matches yours, research what is realistically possible, and build the foundation you need to make educated decisions about your well-being.
Though elective procedures are safe and highly predictable when performed by a skilled surgeon like Dr. Farber, they still place stress on your body. Your healing capacity, metabolic health, and physical strength all influence how quickly you can bounce back.
Are You Physically Ready for Surgery?
Being a good candidate for surgery is not the same as being ready for surgery. Even if you already lead a healthy lifestyle, you’ll benefit from focusing on fitness before an elective procedure. Prehabilitation, or training your body for the postsurgical phase, is an underused tool, yet research consistently shows its benefits.
If Dr. Farber recommends improving any of these areas before surgery, take her advice seriously. A few weeks of focused preparation can dramatically change your recovery experience.
- Cardiovascular fitness: Better aerobic capacity helps your body tolerate anesthesia and heal more efficiently. A combination of weight-bearing activities and cardio workouts will improve your musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health. Balance and mobility work are also vital – try incorporating activities like yoga or tai chi into your routine.
- Stable medical conditions: Controlled blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammation reduce surgical risk. Issues such as low iron levels and elevated inflammatory markers can prolong your recovery.
- Nutrient optimization: It’s wise to intentionally increase your protein intake during prehabilitation. Dr. Farber may also suggest incorporating supplements such as iron, vitamin D, and collagen into your diet in the weeks leading up to your surgery.
- Healthy body composition: Excess visceral fat increases inflammation and slows healing. You should get within range of your target weight and maintain it for several months before your procedure.
- Smoking cessation: Smoking significantly increases your risk of wound complications and infection. Cigarettes and vape pen pods contain hundreds of toxic chemicals that you’re far better off not putting into your system.
Consult With Your Anesthesiologist
Administering anesthesia is far more nuanced than you might realize. An anesthesiologist is a highly trained medical professional who evaluates your entire health profile to tailor your care and minimize risks such as nausea, breathing issues, or delayed recovery.
Prepare to discuss your entire medical history during your consultation, including:
- Any previous anesthesia reactions
- The medications and supplements you take regularly – some can make bleeding more likely, interact with anesthesia, or affect your metabolic stability
- Your cardiovascular fitness
- Your sleep patterns, especially if you snore or have sleep apnea
- Your alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drug use
Dr. Farber and her team will give you detailed, personalized instructions well before your procedure. Always follow these directions – not generic advice found online.
How Should You Prepare Mentally for Elective Surgery?
Many people dream of getting procedures like breast augmentation or Mommy Makeover for years before finally taking the plunge. That emotional investment is one of the reasons elective surgery can feel so exciting. However, recovery requires patience, consistency, and realistic expectations. You should mentally prepare for the swelling, bruising, and fatigue that are natural parts of healing.
Your mindset influences your experience from start to finish. Patients who are ready for the emotional roller coaster that can accompany the immediate postsurgical period tend to be happier with their results.
Set yourself up for success by:
- Understanding the full recovery timeline
- Setting achievable milestones
- Avoiding comparisons to other patients’ recoveries
- Sticking to a consistent fitness and nutrition routine
Your Pre-Surgery Checklist
The weeks leading up to surgery can feel busy and emotional, but following a plan helps everything feel more manageable. Here’s what to take care of so you feel more confident and prepared on the day of your procedure.
Two weeks before surgery:
- Complete all preoperative labs
- Fill your prescriptions for postoperative medications, such as painkillers and antibiotics, and confirm you understand how and when to take them correctly
- Request time off work
- Arrange for a responsible family member or friend to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours of your recovery
One week before surgery:
- Prepare a recovery space with entertainment options, snacks, medications, water, and soft blankets and pillows
- If necessary, buy loose-fitting, comfortable clothes that are easy to put on and take off
- Stock your kitchen with prepared, high-protein meals
- Remove tripping hazards from your home
The night before surgery:
- Follow fasting instructions
- Lay out the outfit you’ll wear to and from surgery
- Charge your phone
- Get a full night of restful sleep
The day of surgery:
- Arrive on time
- Bring your medication list
- Have someone accompany you to drive you, as you’ll still be groggy from anesthesia
Why Choose Dr. Stephanie Farber for Your Elective Procedure?
Plastic surgery is a partnership between you and a board-certified surgeon. You should choose someone who puts you at ease, listens to your concerns, and understands what you hope to accomplish.
Dr. Stephanie Farber combines world-class training with a personalized approach to patient care. Her artistic eye, education, and commitment to patient education make her Alpharetta’s most trusted choice for elective procedures.
Patients choose Dr. Farber because:
- Board-Certified Expertise: Trained at one of the top 3 plastic surgery programs in the country at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- Artistic Precision: A fine arts background combined with surgical skill delivers natural, harmonious results tailored to each patient’s unique vision
- A Female Perspective: As a woman and a mother, Dr. Farber brings genuine empathy and understanding to every patient’s journey
- Nationally Recognized: Repeatedly named a Castle Connolly Top Plastic Surgeon and featured as a medical contributor for ABC News and Good Morning America
- Personalized Care: No one-size-fits-all approach; every surgical plan is built around your individual goals, anatomy, and aesthetic vision
- A Safe, Judgment-Free Space: Consultations are warm, honest, and compassionate, so patients feel heard, supported, and confident from day one
Are You Ready to Prepare for Your Elective Surgery?
Whether you’re considering a breast procedure, body contouring, or another aesthetic treatment, preparation is the foundation of a smooth recovery and beautiful results.
Dr. Farber and her team are here to guide you from your first consultation to your final follow-up. Explore our before-and-after gallery to see examples of her work and learn more about what’s possible, then schedule your consultation today.
