STARTING NOW
• STOP SMOKING: Smoking reduces circulation to the skin
and impedes healing.
• DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN: Stop taking medications
containing aspirin or ibuprofen. 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. Please have them filled BEFORE the day
of surgery and bring them with you.
THE DAY BEFORE
• PRESCRIPTIONS: Make sure that you have filled the prescriptions
you were given and set the medications out to bring with
you tomorrow.
• CLEANSING: The night before surgery, shower and wash the
surgical areas with regular soap.
• EATING AND DRINKING: Do not eat or drink anything after
12:00 midnight. This includes water.
THE MORNING OF SURGERY
• SPECIAL INFORMATION: Do not eat or drink anything! If
you take a daily medication, you may take it with a sip
of water in the early morning.
• ORAL HYGIENE: You may brush your teeth but do not swallow
the water.
• MAKE-UP: Please do not wear moisturizers, creams, lotions,
or makeup.
• CLOTHING: Wear only comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
that does not go over your head (garment that button or
zip in the front are best). Remove hairpins and jewelry.
Please do not bring valuables with you.
• CHECK IN/PREPARATION: Surgery Time:
You should plan to arrive 15 minutes earlier
than your scheduled surgery time.
COMMON RISKS
• THICK, WIDE, OR DEPRESSED SCARS: Abnormal scars may occur
even though we have used the most modem plastic surgery
techniques. Injection of steroids into the scars, placement
of silicone sheeting onto the scars, Mederma, or further
surgery to correct the scars is occasionally necessary.
Some areas on the body scar more than others, and some people
scar more than others do. Your own history of scarring should
give you some indication of what you can expect.
• WOUND SEPARATION OR DELAYED HEALING: Any incision, during
the healing phase, may separate or heal unusually slow for
a number of reasons. These include inflammation, infection,
wound tension, decreased circulation, smoking or excess
external pressure. If delayed healing occurs, the final
outcome is usually not significantly affected, but secondary
revision of the scar may be indicated.
• SENSITIVITY OR ALLERGY TO DRESSINGS OR TAPE: Occasionally,
allergic or sensitivity reactions may occur from soaps,
ointments, tape or sutures used during or after surgery.
Such problems are unusual and are usually mild and easily
treated. In extremely rare circumstances, allergic reactions
can be severe and require aggressive treatment or even hospitalization.
• INCREASED RISKS FOR SMOKERS: Smokers have a greater
chance of skin loss and poor healing because of decreased
skin circulation. (See
Preparing for Surgery)
• INJURY TO DEEPER STRUCTURES: Blood vessels, nerves
and muscles may be injured during surgery. The incidence
of such injuries is rare.
