PRE-SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS

THREE WEEKS OR MORE BEFORE SURGERY There may be several weeks between your decision to have surgery and your actual surgical date. During this time there are several important considerations: Practice proper fitness: You need not engage in an aggressive or new fitness routine; however practicing good fitness habits is an important factor in your overall health and well-being. Stretching exercises and low-weight strength training now, can help to enhance your posture and your strength in the weeks following surgery. Good nutrition. Eat well during the weeks prior to surgery. Crash dieting, over-eating or high alcohol intake can greatly affect your overall health and well-being. A healthy, balanced diet is essential. Stop smoking. Smoking can greatly impair your ability to heal. You must be nicotine and smoke-free for at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. You must also be free of any nicotine patch or nicotine-based products for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to surgery. Lead a healthy lifestyle. In the weeks prior to surgery maintain the best of health and hygiene. A lingering cold, virus or other illness can result in your surgery being rescheduled. Make certain to address any illness immediately, and advise our office of any serious illness or change in your health. Prepare and plan. Schedule any time off of work, and any support you will need at home in the days following surgery, including housework, childcare, shopping and driving. Make certain a responsible adult is enlisted and confirmed to drive you to and from surgery, and that someone is confirmed available to stay with you around the clock for at 24 hours, following surgery. Pre-operative testing. Make certain to schedule all of the pre-operative testing and clearance you have been given. Medical clearance and pertinent lab data should be faxed by your physician to our office. Relax and enjoy life. Stress and anxiety over life's daily events, and even your planned surgery can affect you. While some anxiety is common, any serious stress, or distress over the thought of surgery is something you must discuss with our office. We are here to support you and answer all of your questions. We want your decision to be one made with confidence. TWO to THREE WEEKS BEFORE SURGERY This is an important planning and preparation time. Follow all of the skincare and health habits you have begun in addition to the following: Prepare and plan: Put your schedule together for the day before, day of and first few days following the procedure. Share this with all of your key support people. Fill your prescriptions: Some pain medication prescriptions may need to be filled ON THE DAY these prescriptions are written. Our office will advise you accordingly STOP taking the following for the duration before your surgery. Taking any of the following can increase your risk of bleeding and other complications: Aspirin and medications containing aspirin Garlic Supplements Ibuprofen and anti-inflammatory agents Green Tea or green tea extracts Vitamin E Estrogen supplements St. John's Wort All other medications indicated Pre-operative clearance and information: If they have not been completed and results filed with our office make certain to undergo ALL pre-operative testing. Vital information: A pre-operative visit or call is essential to review your health, your goals, and any vital information including allergies and health considerations. Fitness: Don't over-do it. Avoid anything strenuous or that could potentially cause injury. Good nutrition: Continue taking your supplements as directed. NO SMOKING: Stay away from second-hand smoke, too. Your healing and health depend heavily on this. Lead a healthy lifestyle: Practice good hand-washing and avoid large crowds, or individuals who are ill. Do not risk catching a virus or cold: no kissing on the mouth, sharing beverages or other high risk opportunities for contacting viral or other illnesses. Avoid sun exposure: Sun damaged skin can more readily produce irregular scars. ONE WEEK BEFORE SURGERY Confirm your day of surgery plans. This includes your transportation and after-care (a responsible adult for the first 24 hours, around the clock). Review your prescription orders and instructions. Purchase Polysporin or other ointment as recommended and 4x4 inch gauze squares. Purchase any compression garments required. You may wish to purchase more than one garment for laundering purposes. Confirm all lab results and paperwork have been received by our office if you have not already done so. Continue to practice healthy habits , nutrition and fitness. No strenuous exercise. No saunas, hot tubs, steam baths or mud wraps. No smoking or alcohol . Find your comfort zone . Locate the most comfortable place where you can gently recline and recover. You don't want to be testing locations or pillows the day of surgery. Shop for magazines, books and other things to keep you busy and entertained in the day or two following surgery. Wax or shave your bikini area and legs . It may be uncomfortable to do so in the days immediately after surgery. Relax. Call our office with any unusual anxiety or concerns. Get plenty of rest. If you have trouble sleeping, call our office. ONE DAY BEFORE SURGERY Pack your bag for the day of surgery. This should include: All paperwork Reading Glasses Your identification Warm, clean cotton socks All prescription medications Saltines or other crackers in case of nausea during You post-surgical compression garment your ride home Expect a pre-anesthesia call to review your state of health for surgery Confirm your route to and from surgery or the recovery center, with the responsible adult who will drive you. Also confirm plans with your 24-hour support person and make certain he or she has all of your post-operative instructions. Shower as directed. Use an anti-bacterial, fragrance-free soap. Shampoo your hair. Do not use any hair gel or other styling products, scented skin creams or moisturizers. Do not use any deodorant, hair spray, perfume or cosmetics. Remove all finger nail and toe nail polish. Do not eat or drink anything after 12 midnight. No candy, gum or mints. Anything more than a small amount of water as needed for brushing teeth or swallowing medication may result in the need to cancel surgery RELAX! Get plenty of rest and avoid unnecessary stress. THE DAY OF SURGERY NOTHING by mouth. Anything more than a small amount of water as needed for brushing teeth or swallowing medication may result in the need to cancel surgery. This includes candy, gum, mints. Dress appropriately. Do not wear cosmetics, jewelry of any kind, contact lenses, hair clips, body piercing : (If there is something you cannot remove, let the admitting nurse know right away.) Wear comfortable, clean, loose-fitting clothing: Do not wear jeans or any tight-fitting bottom; rather have a pair of loose, drawstring sweatpants to wear home. Wear slip on, flat shoes with a slip proof sole; no heels. Wear clean cotton socks, as the operating room can feel cool. For your comfort, wear a zip or button front top. No turtlenecks. MEDICATIONS TO STOP BEFORE SURGERY  MEDICATIONS THAT MAY INTERFERE WITH YOUR SURGERY OR ANESTHESIA   The following is a list of medications that might interfere with your surgery and/or anesthesia.  Please advise the doctor if you are taking any of these medications so that the necessary adjustments are made prior to your surgery date. Allylgesic Colrex Forbutol Percobarb Van-Trol #1 Alprin Congesprin Four Way tabs Percodan Viagra Amsodyne Coumadin Furadantin Persantine Viro-Med Anacin Croicidin 4-Way Codeine Persistin Warfarin Anexia Covangesic Gelcoid Phenergan Zactirin Anodynos CP2 Gemisyn Phenotron Zomax Anti-Ten Damason-P Gold/Gold Salts Phenylbutazone Zomepirac Any Antihistamine Darvon-Aspirin Goody's Powder Presalin   Anturane Darvon Compound Haysma Propoxyphene   APAC Dasicon Capsules Heparin Protension   A.P.C. Decojen Histadyl-Aspirin Pyrroxate   Arthritis Formula Dedache Hypan Quinidine   Arthritis Buffrin Defencin Ibuprofen Quinine   ASA Compound Depto Indocin Quiet World   Asalco DeWitts Pills Indomethicin Rhinate   Ascriptin Dicumerol I-PAC Rhinex   Ascodeen Dipyridamole Isobarb Rhino   Aspadine Disalcid Isollyl Rhinocapa   Aspergum Dover 's Powders Lanorinal Roboxisal   Asphac-G Dovosal Macrodantin Ru-Lor-N   Aspirin Drinophen Marval Salatin   Atoka Dristamead Measurin Saleto   Axotol Dristan Mepro Salphenin   Bayer Products Duradyne Meprogesic Salaprin   BC Tablets Duragesic Merida Sine-Aid   BiAct Dynosal Midol Sine-Off   Bitrin Easprin Mobigesic Sinex   Buff-A Ecotrin Momentum Soltice   Bufferin Emagrin Monacet Sulfinpyrazone   Buffadyne Empirin Motrin Supac   BUF Emprazil Nalfon Synalogo   Butazolidin Entab-650 Naprosyn Tabloid APC   Cafacetin Equagesic Naproxen Talwin   Cama Inlay Excedrin Nitrofurantoin Ten-Shun   Carpon Febrinette Norgesic Tolectin   Cheracol Feldene Opasal Tolmetin   Crhistodyne Fendol Os-Cal-Gesic Triaminicin   Chlortrimetron Fiorinal Pabirin Trigesic   Castalgesic Fiogesic PAC Compound Ursinus   Cadasa Tap Flagyl Pan-Pac Vanquish   Coldate Flexaril Pasibar Vantrin   The following medications might have a significant effect on your anesthesia. It is imperative that they be discontinued preoperatively: Asendin Nardil Tofranil Aventyl Norpramin Triavil Elavil Pamelor Vivactil Etrafon Parvate   Limbitrol Sinequan    Herbs and supplements to stop prior to surgery:  Aloe Ephedra Ma Huang Vitamin B-6 Bilberry Fish Magnesium Wine Bioflavenoids Fish Oil Oils  (Safflower, Omega-6) Yohimbe Cayenne CAG's Omega Fats   Cellasene Garlic Pantethine   Cellustrop Ginger Selenium   Celluthin Ginko Bilboa St. John's Wort   Chamomile Tea Ginseng Sweet Clover   Chondroitin Glucosamine Taurine   Echinacea Licorice Root Valerian Root   The information provided above is for educational purposes only.  Individual results may vary.  A personal consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to gain information about your particular complaint, and about potential treatment options to address the same.