Exercise

Overview

If you are considering any type of plastic surgery to improve a certain part of your appearance, Dr. Sayah would begin by recommending exercise. It is through a team approach that excellent results can be achieved in plastic surgery and the team includes you, Dr. Sayah, a certified dietician, and a fitness trainer.

Exercise will not only improve your appearance, it will also benefit your general health. The risks for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity are all reduced by exercise. It also serves to reduce stress, helps with depression, and improves overall well being.

In preparation for exercising, it is best to set short-term and long-term goals. Your short-term goal should focus on what you hope to gain or lose in preparation for your surgery. If you are considering liposuction, you may even find that you have surpassed your expectations and lost more weight than could ever be removed with liposuction! Our staff will guide you through your exercise routine based on your current level of fitness and they will motivate you to safely achieve your goal prior to surgery. A few weeks after your surgery you can gradually resume your exercise program and work toward achieving your beautiful look. They will also assist you in setting safe and practical long-term goals which will keep your exercise routine interesting and varied while you get your entire body into shape. Exercise should be nothing but an enjoyable experience. The key is to start slowly and safely. Patients over 30 years of age should consult with their primary physicians prior to undertaking a new workout routine.

Pre-Surgery Plan

Stretching is imperative before and after training. Your goal should include aerobic exercise which strengthens the heart and improves overall fitness by increasing the body’s ability to use oxygen. Aerobic workouts can include bicycling, running, using the elliptical machine, climbing stairs or power walking. For those who are resuming exercise after several years, we recommend beginning with “power walking” for 40 minutes at least 3 times per week. The best method to power walk is walking as fast as possible without sprinting into a jog. Your heart rate should remain elevated in the range of 120 – 140 beats per minute depending on your age.

Weight training, or anaerobic exercise, is the next integral part of a complete exercise regimen. This type of training focuses on muscular strength and endurance. Many people are concerned that their body will become too "bulky" if they weight train, but in fact the opposite is true. Weight training will help your body become more compact, less bulky while it improves your definition. Your strengthened and developed muscles will replace the "saggy look" at your arms, legs and buttocks. We also pay proper attention to your posture which is often underemphasized in daily routines.

If you are doing cardiovascular and strength training, you should integrate proper stretching into your routine. Yoga can be the perfect simultaneous form of stretching and strength training for all levels of physical fitness.

Rest, the last element of training, ensures your safety and success. Resting every third to fourth day allows your body to recuperate while it builds even stronger muscles. Proper amounts of sleep also play a role in resting patterns. You should sleep for 6-8 hours per night in order to rest your mind as well as your body. With an active exercise regimen established, you will find that your sleep is deeper and more restful.

All of the above routines will not only improve how you look and feel prior to surgery, they will also improve your surgical results by increasing your metabolic rate and preparing your body for the physical changes it will undergo after plastic surgery.

Post-Surgery Plan

Most surgeries require at least a 2-6-week healing period before you start exercising. We will be coaching you through your recovery and will make sure that you are physically ready to resume exercise safely. It is strongly recommended that you discuss with our staff any independent plans to initiate exercise.

Based on your type of surgery and the appropriate recovery period, a few weeks after surgery you will begin walking for 30-40 minutes. Your trainer will gradually begin weight training and more intensive cardiovascular exercises based on your progress and the limitations of your surgery. In 4-6 months after surgery, most patients resume an active exercise regimen similar to their routine prior to surgery. Until then, you are just warming-up!

Once you have resumed your fully intensive workout routine, your trainer will slowly vary the exercises such that you remain interested in the regimen. Our staff will help you accomplish your long-term goals of a healthy body, and the most beautiful face and figure.

Other health related pages: Nutrition – Exercise – Clothing – Makeup