Advance Preparation
Common Drugs to Avoid
No Aspirin or Ibuprofen: Do not take aspirin, aspirin-containing drugs, or ibuprofen for two weeks before and two weeks after the surgery. Both of these drugs increase bleeding and bruising during and after the surgery. There is a list of drugs to avoid at the back of these instructions.
Tylenol® or other non-aspirin drugs containing acetaminophen can be taken if needed.
No Vitamin E: Do not take high doses of vitamin E for two weeks before surgery.
No Diuretics: Do not take diuretics (water pills) for two weeks before the surgery unless so directed by your physician.
Employment or School
Arrange to be away from work or school for 10 days.
Diet
If your dietary habits are unusual, or if you are a vegetarian, tell our staff so we can plan for dietary supplements if necessary. Protein is essential for the healing process. We may require that you take one scoop of a protein mix in a 10-ounce glass of skim milk, twice a day, at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. You should take the supplement for four weeks before the surgery and two weeks after the surgery to assure proper healing.
If you feel weak after surgery, drink one quart of Gatorade daily for three or four days. This drink will replace your low potassium
Transportation and Aftercare Arrangements
You will need a responsible driver, 21 years or older, to drive you to the Center and home on the day of surgery. We must have the name and contact telephone number before the day of surgery.
You will need a responsible adult to stay with you for the first 24 to 48 hours after the surgery. This adult can provide the clear liquids and the first soft foods as well as assist you to and from the bathroom to avoid falls if you become dizzy. This adult can drive you to the Center for your first post-operative visit, usually 24 to 48 hours after the surgery. Most patients can drive to the office on the fifth to seventh day after surgery.
Patients who live more than 60 minutes from the Center must make arrangements to stay with friends or in our recovery facility for the first 5 to 7 days, depending on individual progress. Arrangements must be made before surgery and the name, address and telephone number where you will be staying must be provided before the surgery.
Visitors
During the first two weeks after surgery, visitors should be kept to a minimum to reduce the possibility of infection. People outside the family or household can be silent carriers of organisms that can cause serious illness and/or scarring.
In cosmetic surgery, we are especially concerned about exposure to chickenpox, herpes zoster (shingles), herpes simplex (fever blisters or cold sores) and impetigo. If a fever blister develops after surgery, contact the office immediately so the antiviral drug can be started immediately.
During the second week, activity may be more liberal but avoid crowds and large groups that can harbor dangerous viral or bacterial infections.
