Prehabilitation for Aesthetic Surgery: An Evidence-based Guide

Despite the growing number of aesthetic plastic surgery procedures performed annually and increasing emphasis placed on surgical prehabilitation to improve postoperative outcomes, there is not yet a standardized guide for patients undergoing these aesthetic procedures. The aim of this review is to identify the major components of prehabilitation for aesthetic surgery to decrease the risk of perioperative complications and facilitate a smooth recovery process.

A narrative literature review was conducted for common aesthetic surgery topics, including medical management, nutrition and diet, substance use cessation, weight management, and psychological factors surrounding aesthetic surgery. Additional information was included for specific procedures with existing robust evidence, including rhytidectomy and rhinoplasty.

There are strong existing ties between established risk factors such as malnutrition, diabetes, and tobacco use with adverse surgical outcomes, though these topics lack aesthetic surgery-specific recommendations. Hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea should be addressed and managed for patients seeking rhytidectomy or rhinoplasty, respectively. Psychological concerns are pervasive among aesthetic surgery patients and should be kept in consideration beginning at the initial consultation. Emerging players, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, have shifted the aesthetic landscape, and patients should be counseled on their use with the latest evidence-based recommendations.

Prehabilitation in aesthetic surgery should address known risk factors early on in surgical planning to prevent poor outcomes and should be tailored to each patient. There are certain measures, outlined here, that patients undergoing aesthetic surgery can take to prepare themselves for improved surgical outcomes and recovery.