Plastic Surgery Patient Guide

A consultation with your surgeon is required prior to your plastic surgery. During this appointment, you will discuss your operational goals and expectations, as well as your medical history and any medications you are currently taking. In addition, your surgeon will do a physical examination and may take pictures of the area to be treated.

Following your surgeon's instructions before surgery is essential. This could involve avoiding some medications or supplements that may raise your risk of bleeding, among other things.

• A week before the procedure, stop taking aspirin and other blood-thinning medications.
• Inform your doctor of any drug allergies.
• Adjust your current medications according to the prescription schedule provided by your doctor.
• Eat and drink anything at least 12 hours before your procedure to make blood sampling easier.
• Try to be at your ideal weight before you are having a breast operation because changes in weight can impact the final cup size.
• You can consider taking a comfy pillow to help you sleep during the first several weeks after surgery.
• Get a complete wax before surgery to avoid shaving after.
• If you are having a breast procedure, one surgical bra will be provided but you are welcome to bring a tight sports bra with you as a secondary option if you do not want to purchase a second one.
• Stop drinking and smoking two weeks before your surgery to reduce bleeding and promote healing.
• Avoid using fake tan 7 days before surgery.
• Ensure your nails are transparent upon arrival at the hospital - no fake nails or nail polish.

Also, there is something that needs to avoid before (except as otherwise noted, 10 days earlier) surgery:

• Aspirin
• Green tea
• Garlic
• Sour cherry
• Pomegranate
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Tebokan forte
• Coenzyme Q
• Birth control pills (Stop 1 month before surgery)
• Herbal remedies
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Blood thinning medication
• Hormones (Stop 1 month before surgery)

Plastic surgery is often done under general anesthesia. However, the type of anesthesia used will be determined by the sort of surgery and your overall condition. The length of the operation will vary depending on the type of surgery, but most operations take several hours to complete.

• Bring your night dress and slippers.
• Bring your laptop, magazines, or books to make your waiting time funnier.
• Remove any piercings or switch them out for synthetic replicas.
• On the day of the procedure, avoid fake eyelashes, (metal) hair extensions, nail polish, and fake nails. Do not apply moisturizer or deodorant.
• Bring your phone charger and camera to take before pictures.
• If you experience nausea after general anesthesia, ask your nurses for anti-sickness medication.
• Please do not swallow any water while brushing your teeth the morning of your procedure.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing with front buttons or zippers. A warm-up or jogging outfit is advised. Another smart move is to wear relaxed, flat shoes.
• Wear no pantyhose or girdles.
• If you wear contact lenses, glasses, or dentures, bring cases and remove them before the treatment.

Effective post-operative care is important to ensure a good recovery and the best possible results following your surgery. The anesthesia may cause you to feel tired or disoriented, and you might also experience pain or discomfort.

Your surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions on how to take care of the surgical wound and manage any pain. Treatment may include taking pain medication as prescribed, applying cold packs to reduce swelling, and keeping the area clean and dry. Depending on the type of operation, medical staff can give a compression band or splint to help support and protect the surgical area.

• Buy antibacterial baby wipes to keep yourself clean, because you won't be allowed to shower for several days following surgery. Do not apply to wounds, or stitches and only to other areas.
• After removing your dressings, clean the pen markings with a non-irritant cleanser and water.
• Cover your scars completely with sunscreen that has a minimum SPF of 30 to protect them from the sun for a year.
• It is important to drink enough fluids after surgery to prevent dehydration.
• Eat protein-rich meals because protein improves wound and muscle repair.
• Drinking and smoking are delaying the healing process. You should avoid these for at least two weeks following surgery because drinking thins the blood and smoking lowers oxygen levels in your cells.
• Ensure you wear your compression garment for the recommended length of time because it will affect your results if you do not wear this garment
• Remember that everyone heals differently, so give yourself and your body time.

• It is normal to feel excessively thirsty for a few days after surgery. It is advised to keep some liquids accessible. 

• If you have a sore throat after anesthesia, try warm decaffeinated tea with honey or non-citrus fruit juices such as apple, pear, or peach juice. Throat tablets or ice cream can also help. 
• It is typical to have a limited appetite for a few days after surgery. Soups, low-fat ice cream, low-calorie milkshakes, pudding, yogurt, soft meals, or baby food can help your appetite. 
• It is best to avoid foods high in fat, salt, caffeine, spices, or dairy products with a lot of fat.