Before Your Surgery

We want to make your surgical experience as convenient and comfortable as possible. Following these guidelines and DO’s and DON’Ts will help make the transition easier. You will also be given post-operative instructions to follow for your particular surgical procedure.

• Your surgery will be performed on an outpatient basis at our surgery center unless otherwise arranged.
• If you are spending the night at the surgery center, your discharge time the following day is prior to 7:00 a.m. Visiting hours for family members end at 8:00 pm. the night of your surgery.
• You may be asked to have lab work done prior to your surgery. If this is necessary, please have the tests completed two weeks prior to your surgery date unless we tell you otherwise. If you use a “water pill” such as Lasix, Maxzide, or HCTZ, we will need to draw a Potassium level 7-10 days prior to surgery. Contact our nursing staff so an order can be sent to the facility of your choice.
• In order to diminish swelling and discoloration after surgery, you will need to purchase the following prior to your surgery: Multivitamins (take twice daily) and Vitamin C 400Mg (take twice daily) should be taken beginning one week prior to surgery. If you were prescribed any antibiotic, begin this 24 hours prior to surgery.
• Be sure to stop any anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofens. Do not restart these until one week after your surgery. A list of medications to avoid will also be given to you. If you are taking Coumadin, be sure to discuss this with your physician.
• You will need to purchase an antibacterial soap, such as Lever 2000 or Dial antibacterial for a pre-operative scrub if you are having surgery from the neck down. Allow the soap lather to cover the skin of the surgical area for 5 minutes twice per day (morning, and evening) for three days prior to your surgery.
• Wash your hair thoroughly before surgery. Do not apply any hair care products afterwards washing your hair.
• If you take insulin or oral medication for diabetes, discuss this with your physician. Most of your usual prescribed medications should be taken the morning of surgery with a small sip of water (most notably blood pressure and heart medications). Discontinue use of any blood thinner medications.
• Be sure to contact us immediately if you develop a cold, sore throat, fever blisters, or any skin eruption of the face. None of these mean your surgery needs to be cancelled but we may want to give you some additional instructions.
• If a narcotic pain medication has been prescribed, be aware these can cause constipation. To avoid constipation, begin taking stool softeners before surgery, drink plenty of water, add high fiber foods to your diet, or use a laxative as needed.
• Please contact us immediately if you need to postpone your surgery to enable us to fit another patient into the surgery schedule.

DO

• Bring all prescribed medications with you the day of surgery, especially if you have an overnight stay. Inhalers for asthma, blood pressure medications, and heart medications are especially important.
• Have someone drive you to the surgery center the morning of your surgery and arrange for someone to pick you up and stay with you that night. It is imperative you are not alone following surgery.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing the day of surgery. Plan to wear clothing that buttons or zips up the front. All outer clothing will be removed and you will be given a surgical gown to wear during surgery.
• Remove all make-up, false eyelashes, wigs, hairpieces, and jewelry prior to coming to the surgery center.
• Remove contact lenses.
• Bring a scarf or sunglasses to cover your dressings after surgery if you are having facial surgery.
• Bring a blanket and pillow for your comfort during the ride home after you are discharged.

DON'T

• Do not take herbal supplements for 14 days before surgery (other than the multivitamin and Vitamin C); this includes weight loss preparations, St. John’s Wort, Ginko Biloba, Evening Primrose Oil, Omega 3 fish oils, and herbal teas.
• Do not eat or drink anything after 12:00 midnight the night before surgery unless otherwise directed by the physician or nurse.
• Do not take Vitamin E in large doses, and do not take aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or products containing aspirin (i.e., Bufferin, Anacini, Empirin, Fiorinal, Darvon Compound, etc.) two weeks prior to your surgery. We will be happy to prescribe a pain remedy should you need one.
• If you are having a facelift or skin flap, do not smoke for five days prior to surgery. If you are having breast or abdominal surgery, do not smoke for three weeks prior to your procedure. Continue to refrain from smoking for two weeks after surgery as it affects the healing process – this includes avoiding nicotine gum and the nicotine patch.
• Do not have a permanent or hair coloring within seven days prior to surgery. It is best to wait four weeks after surgery to have these done.