How to Get Ready for Cosmetic Surgery
Choosing a procedure and scheduling a date are only two parts of cosmetic surgery preparation. Your health, expectations, home environment, and recovery plan can all influence your safety and results. The risk of infection, bleeding, blood clots, poor wound healing, and anesthesia complications may be reduced through proper preparation.
Patients can use this guide to learn how cosmetic surgery preparation generally works in Canada. Common procedures covered include breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift, eyelid surgery, and rhinoplasty. General advice cannot replace your plastic surgeon’s directions, which will be tailored to your procedure and health.
How to Select a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
Clinic titles and advertising terms can sometimes cause confusion. In Canada, the term “cosmetic surgeon” may be used even when a physician is not certified as a specialist in plastic surgery. Before you agree to surgery, verify the doctor’s training, licence, experience, and professional standing.
In Canada, qualified plastic surgeons may be certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and use the designation FRCSC. Patients in Quebec can confirm specialist certification with the Collège des médecins du Québec. Your provincial or territorial College of Physicians and Surgeons can confirm whether a doctor is licensed and disclose available information about restrictions or discipline.
Use your consultation to ask the following questions:
Are you certified as a specialist in plastic surgery?
How frequently do you complete this specific procedure?
In what clinic will the operation be performed?
Is the surgical facility inspected or accredited under provincial requirements?
What qualified professional will administer and monitor my anesthesia?
What complication rate and revision rate do you have for this procedure?
Do you have hospital admitting privileges or an emergency transfer plan?
What after-hours care is available if I experience a problem?
Treat guarantees, short-term offers, and pressure to book extra procedures as warning signs. No ethical surgeon can promise a perfect result or a risk-free recovery.
Decide Whether Cosmetic Surgery Is Suitable for You
In general, a good candidate has stable physical health, realistic knowledge of the risks, and personal reasons for choosing surgery. A procedure can change appearance, but it cannot guarantee better self-esteem, a stronger relationship, happiness, or career success.
Describe the specific change you want and ask what the procedure can realistically achieve. Your anatomy, skin quality, age, scars, health history, and healing response will influence the final result. While before-and-after photographs may help explain possible results, they cannot predict your exact outcome.
Consider Your Emotional Readiness
Avoid making a rushed surgical decision during a crisis or in response to pressure from another person. Your surgeon should know about any history of depression, anxiety, body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders, or related mental health concerns. These details are important for safe care, and there is no reason to feel embarrassed about sharing them.
Additional time or professional support may help if you are highly focused on a small or imagined flaw, expect surgery to fix your life, or remain unhappy after several procedures. If your expectations are not consistent with the likely outcome, a responsible surgeon may advise you to wait.
Share Your Full Medical History
Accurate health information helps your plastic surgeon and anesthesia provider evaluate surgical risk. Do not hide a condition or substance use because you fear the operation will be cancelled. When important information is missing, anesthesia, pain management, and recovery may become less safe.
Disclose the following to your surgeon:
Heart, lung, kidney, liver, or bleeding conditions
A history of hypertension, diabetes, anemia, or sleep apnea
Previous blood clots, pulmonary embolism, or clotting disorders
Allergies to medication, adhesives, latex, or skin preparations
Past problems with anesthesia, severe nausea, or difficult intubation
Your surgical history, implanted devices, and tendency to develop raised or abnormal scars
Current infections, dental infections, rashes, or open wounds
Pregnancy, possible pregnancy, breastfeeding, or plans for pregnancy
Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and natural health products
Any current or recent nicotine, cannabis, alcohol, opioid, or recreational drug use
Some patients require blood tests, an electrocardiogram, medical imaging, a pregnancy test, or clearance from a family doctor or specialist. The tests ordered will depend on factors such as your age, health, operation, and planned anesthesia. Do not delay requested tests, because your surgeon must receive and assess the results before the operation.
Discuss Every Medication and Supplement
Write down every prescription, non-prescription medicine, vitamin, and supplement you take. Your list should state each product’s name, dosage, purpose, and usual schedule. Take the completed list to both your consultation and pre-operative visit.
Some medicines and supplements can affect bleeding, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood clots, sedation, or wound healing. Examples include blood thinners, aspirin, anti-inflammatory medicine, diabetes drugs, hormones, birth control, copyrights, weight-loss treatments, and some natural health products.
GLP-1 drugs used to manage diabetes or body weight should be specifically reviewed before surgery. Because GLP-1 medications may slow stomach emptying, they can affect fasting instructions and anesthesia planning. Instructions can vary based on the medication, dose, symptoms, and type of procedure.
Do not discontinue any prescription medication without medical instructions. Abruptly discontinuing anticoagulants, seizure treatments, copyrights, antidepressants, or cardiac drugs may cause serious harm. Any decision to hold or adjust a medicine should be coordinated among your surgeon, anesthesia provider, and prescribing clinician.
Avoid Smoking, Vaping, and Nicotine
Healing tissues receive less oxygen when nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict. This increases the risk of skin loss, infection, wound separation, delayed healing, and noticeable scars. Nicotine is a particular concern for tissue-tightening or tissue-moving procedures such as facelifts, breast lifts, breast reductions, and tummy tucks.
Nicotine exposure can come from cigarettes, cigars, vapes, chewing tobacco, pouches, gum, or patches. Do not assume that vaping is safe before surgery. Discuss the required nicotine-free period and the safety of nicotine replacement with your surgeon. A surgeon may require several nicotine-free weeks on both sides of the procedure and may test for nicotine exposure.
Limit your exposure to second-hand smoke as much as you can. If quitting is difficult, speak with your family doctor, pharmacist, or provincial smoking cessation service well before your surgery date.
Talk Honestly About Cannabis, Alcohol, and Drugs
Although cannabis is legal in Canada, it can still create risks before and after an operation. Smoking or vaping cannabis can irritate the airway. Anesthesia, heart rate, nausea management, and pain medication needs may be different in regular cannabis users. You should also disclose cannabis edibles and medically prescribed cannabis.
Tell the anesthesia provider what form you use, how often you use it, and when you last used it. Follow the clinic’s instructions about when to stop. Do not arrive for surgery impaired.
Alcohol may interact with pain drugs and sedatives while also affecting bleeding, hydration, and withdrawal risk. If you drink heavily or frequently, disclose it because withdrawal may need to be medically managed. Serious anesthesia complications can result from copyright, methamphetamine, non-prescribed opioids, and other drugs. Honest disclosure allows the team to protect your health rather than make assumptions about your substance use.
Support Your Body Before Surgery
Keep Your Weight Stable Before Surgery
Losing a large amount of weight after body-contouring surgery may alter the outcome. Weight gain can also stretch tissue and affect scars. If you are planning to lose a large amount of weight, it may be better to reach a stable, maintainable weight before surgery.
Do not start a crash diet. Healing may be affected when extreme dieting limits essential nutrients such as protein and iron. Additional nutritional assessment may be needed if you have anemia or a history of bariatric surgery.
Build a Nutritious Pre-Surgery Diet
Choose regular meals with protein, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and enough fluids. Foods such as fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, tofu, beans, and lentils provide protein needed for tissue repair. Patients with dietary restrictions related to diabetes, kidney disease, allergies, or other conditions should use their medical team’s guidance.
Do not take high-dose vitamins or “healing” supplements unless the surgical team approves them. A product labelled natural may still affect bleeding or interact with anesthesia.
Maintain Safe Physical Activity
Appropriate exercise, including regular walking, may improve physical readiness and support heart and lung function. Developing a safe activity habit before surgery can make post-operative walking easier and may help limit stiffness and clot risk. If exercise is affected by chest pain, shortness of breath, reduced mobility, or illness, ask a clinician what activity is safe.
Understand the Procedure and Recovery
A signed form alone does not complete the informed consent process. Before proceeding, learn about the operation, anesthesia, incisions, scarring, alternatives, likely benefits, and potential complications.
Depending on the procedure, possible risks may include:
Post-operative bleeding, hematoma formation, or an unplanned urgent operation
Infection or delayed wound healing
Deep vein thrombosis or a clot that travels to the lungs
Fluid collection, also called a seroma
Temporary or lasting numbness, altered nerves, or ongoing pain
Poor scar quality, including thickening, widening, darkening, or raised scars
Asymmetry, contour changes, or an unsatisfactory result
Implant-related complications such as rupture or capsular contracture
Respiratory problems or complications related to anesthesia
The possibility of additional corrective or revision surgery
Your surgeon should explain the expected duration of swelling and bruising and when results become meaningful. During early healing, swelling may temporarily create asymmetry or make an area appear too large. It can take weeks or months for tissues to settle after facial, breast, or body-contouring surgery.
Plan Ahead for a Safe Recovery
Most patients need more help than they expect during the first few days. Before surgery, organize suitable support, particularly when you have caregiving duties, mobility issues, or no one else at home.
Choose a responsible adult to drive or accompany you home. Driving is not permitted after general anesthesia or sedation.
Arrange for an adult to remain with you as long as the clinic requires, which is often through the first night.
Arrange help with children, pets, groceries, laundry, and household tasks.
Confirm how much time you need away from work, school, exercise, and driving.
Stock simple food and position essential items where you will not need to bend or reach.
Fill approved prescriptions and obtain dressings or garments before the procedure.
Keep the clinic’s daytime and after-hours contact information easy to find.
Patients travelling to another Canadian community for surgery should stay close enough to attend scheduled follow-up care. Long car trips and flights may increase blood clot risk after certain procedures. Before leaving, confirm when travel is permitted and who will treat a problem after you go home.
Set Up a Practical Recovery Area
Your recovery area should be comfortable and contain water, medication, a thermometer, communication access, and clinic-approved supplies. A wedge pillow or extra pillows may help if you must sleep with your head or upper body raised.
Confirm the correct size and type before purchasing a compression garment. Excessive compression may lead to discomfort, skin damage, or reduced circulation.
Understand the Total Cost of Cosmetic Surgery
Provincial and territorial health plans generally do not pay for surgery performed only for cosmetic reasons. Different coverage rules may apply to reconstructive or medically necessary procedures, sometimes with prior authorization.
Request a written quote that explains:
Surgeon, anesthesia, and operating facility fees
Implant, garment, medication, and laboratory costs
Any taxes, deposits, financing conditions, and payment deadlines
Follow-up care included in the fee
Rules for cancelling, rescheduling, or receiving a refund
Who pays if complications require treatment or a later revision procedure
Your total budget should account for missed income, childcare, travel, lodging, medicine, and assistance at home. Private benefits may vary, so confirm coverage and never assume every advanced cosmetic plastic surgery complication related to cosmetic surgery will be insured.
Follow Your Pre-Operative Instructions
Preparing During the Two Weeks Before Surgery
Review your medicine plan, complete all tests, and confirm transportation and home support. Avoid sunburn, cuts, rashes, and hair removal that could irritate the surgical area. Use your surgeon’s specific directions for bathing products, shaving, nail polish, artificial nails, and cosmetic services.
Contact the clinic if you develop a fever, cough, cold, flu symptoms, COVID-19, a urinary infection, a dental infection, vomiting, diarrhea, or a new skin problem. It may be safer to postpone an elective operation than to proceed while you are ill.
The Day Before Surgery
Confirm your arrival time and the clinic’s fasting instructions. The correct fasting period is based on your operation and type of anesthesia. Online fasting advice should not be used in place of your surgical team’s instructions. If fasting directions are not followed, stomach contents could enter the lungs under anesthesia and the procedure might be postponed or cancelled.
Shower as directed and use any prescribed antiseptic cleanser correctly. Do not scrub, shave, or mark the surgical area unless instructed. Get a good night’s sleep and avoid alcohol or recreational drugs.
The Morning of Surgery
Take only the medicines approved by your surgical team, using the amount of water they allow. Gum, sweets, and coffee may break fasting rules, so use them only when the surgical team has clearly approved them.
Choose clean, comfortable clothes that can be taken off without difficulty. After facial or breast surgery, a shirt that fastens at the front can be easier to wear. Valuables, jewellery, contacts, and personal body products are best left at home. Follow any instruction to avoid makeup, creams, perfume, deodorant, or similar products.
Take the requested identification, provincial health card, medicine list, completed paperwork, and approved surgical garment. Before the procedure, confirm the operation and the area being treated with the surgical team.
Understand the Early Recovery Period
Pain, bruising, tightness, swelling, fatigue, and temporary numbness are common after many operations. Use the clinic’s written directions for medicine, wound dressings, surgical drains, compression, bathing, sleep, and movement.
Use each medicine exactly according to the instructions. Opioids should not be combined with alcohol, cannabis, sleep medication, or sedating substances without medical direction. Opioids can cause constipation, nausea, impaired judgment, and slowed breathing. Unused opioid drugs should be stored safely and returned to a participating pharmacy rather than kept or shared.
Short, gentle walks may help circulation, but heavy lifting and intense exercise can increase bleeding and swelling. Do not drive until you are off impairing medication, can move comfortably, and can make an emergency stop safely.
Recognize Warning Signs
Contact your surgeon promptly if you have worsening redness, warmth, pus, bad-smelling drainage, increasing pain, a high or persistent fever, sudden swelling, an opening incision, uncontrolled vomiting, or a drain problem.
Call 911 or seek emergency care for trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, confusion, blue lips, uncontrolled bleeding, or signs of a serious allergic reaction. A blood clot may cause sudden pain in a leg or swelling that affects one calf. Urgent symptoms should never be left until the next scheduled clinic visit.
Cosmetic Surgery Readiness Checklist
I verified my surgeon’s licence, specialist training, and procedure experience.
I confirmed that the operating facility meets provincial requirements.
I disclosed my complete health history, medications, supplements, and substance use.
The surgical team has explained all restrictions involving fasting, medicine, nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis.
I understand the procedure, scars, recovery, risks, alternatives, and possible need for revision.
I completed all requested medical tests and reported any recent illness.
Transportation, home assistance, child or pet care, and recovery time away from work have been planned.
I have written recovery instructions and daytime and after-hours contact numbers.
I understand when to contact my surgeon and when to call 911 or seek emergency help.
Take Time to Prepare and Get Clear Answers
A safe surgical plan should reflect your health, personal goals, and realistic medical advice. Give yourself enough time to choose a qualified plastic surgeon, improve modifiable health risks, and organize proper support at home. Before surgery day, confirm anything you do not fully understand with your care team. Never guess when you are uncertain about medicines, fasting, incision care, or warning signs.
This page provides general education and does not replace advice from your plastic surgeon, anesthesiologist, family doctor, pharmacist, or other regulated health professional.