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Phone (561) 367-9101
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Once you have decided to proceed with cosmetic surgery, you will want to take some precautions to ensure a smooth, safe surgery and recovery period. Our nurses are available to walk you through the process and help you with any unexpected obstacles. With careful planning, you can reduce possible post-surgical complications and pain.
Pre-Operative Care:
- STOP SMOKING: Smoking reduces circulation to the skin and impedes healing.
- TAKE MULITVITAMINS: Start taking multivitamins twice daily to improve your general health once you have scheduled your surgery.
- TAKE VITAMIN C: Start taking 500 mg of Vitamin C twice daily to promote healing.
- DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN: Stop taking medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen 14 days prior to surgery. Review the list of drugs containing aspirin and ibuprofen carefully. Such drugs can cause bleeding problems during and after surgery. Instead, use medications containing acetaminophen (such as Tylenol).
- LIMIT VITAMIN E: Limit your intake of Vitamin E to less than 400 mg per day.
- FILL YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS: You will be given prescriptions for medications. Have them filled the day BEFORE surgery.
Post-Operative Care:
- YOUR FIRST 24 HOURS: If you are going home, a family member or friend must drive you because you have been heavily sedated. Someone should stay with you the first 24 hours after surgery. If you have any questions about these matters, please ask our nursing staff.
- ACTIVITY: Take it easy and pamper yourself. Try to avoid any straining. You may go to the bathroom, sit and watch TV, etc, but no matter how good you feel, do not clean the house, rearrange the attic, etc. We do not want you to bleed and cause any more swelling and bruising than is avoidable.
- ICE PACKS: Cold or ice packs help reduce swelling, bruising and pain. Use frozen peas, in the package or crush ice cubes and put the ice into a zip-lock bag. This should help, not hurt. If the ice feels too uncomfortable, don't use it as often.
- DIET: If you have post operative nausea, carbonated sodas and dry crackers may settle the stomach. If nausea is severe, use the suppository. If you feel normal, start with liquids and bland foods, and if those are well tolerated, progress to a regular diet.
- SMOKING: Smoking reduces capillary flow in your skin. We advise you not to smoke at all during the first 10 days after surgery.
- ALCOHOL: Alcohol dilates the blood vessels and could increase the postoperative bleeding. Please do not drink until you have stopped taking the prescription pain pills, as the combination of pain pills and alcohol can be dangerous.
- DRIVING: Please do not drive for at least 2 days after general anesthesia or intravenous sedation or while taking prescription pain pills.
- POST OPERATIVE APPOINTMENTS: it is very important that you follow the schedule of appointments we establish after surgery.
These instructions will be personalized during your pre-operative visit and will vary by patient.
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