Surgical optimization

Timing optimization

When is a good time to have surgery? Just like having a baby, you can try to plan for it, but life gets in the way, and with our busy Bay Area lives, there is no “ideal” time.

What are things you should consider?

• Are you at a stable weight? Do you plan on losing weight? Weight fluctuations affect final results and surgical risk and healing. If your goal is to lose weight, DO THAT FIRST.
• Work schedule. Is there a time of year that is easier? Do you get time off at the holidays? Surgery is a stressor- I tell my patients that it is like running a marathon. You need to have true downtime so your body can heal. Going back too early can make you go two steps back, creating swelling, pain, or not let the bruising resolve that now takes longer to resolve.
• Kid schedule. Got kids? You need to plan this at a time where they are busy or you have help available. If you are a super involved parent who likes to hike, swim, and play with your kids, you won’t be able to do that for 3-4 weeks after a surgery. So summer or near a family vacation is not the best time.
• Are you close to menopause? The five years of perimenopause going into menopause are a time of immense change. Make sure your weight is stable, strongly consider hormone support during this time (I am an advisor for Midi Health and Biohackr Health- both of which focus on hormonal support), and if you feel like your body is changing- WAIT. I am not going anywhere. You should do surgery when things feel settled.

Generally speaking, for the first week after surgery you are out- no work, no grocery shopping, no taking care of the kids. The second week is a slow week. You may be driving and back to work at a desk job, but you should make it light duty. Any more vigorous activity is usually around 3-4 weeks out. Your body will let us know when it is healed by the swelling and bruising being gone and the pain is better.