Preparing For Surgery

CHATTAHOOCHEE PLASTIC SURGERY

To make your cosmetic surgery experience a pleasant one, follow these tips.

Choosing to have plastic surgery is a major decision. At Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery, we make it a priority to prepare our patients both physically and mentally to ensure their surgery and recovery are as calm and comfortable as possible.

While all our patients get individualized pre-treatment care and instructions, there are some rules that universally apply before undergoing surgery. Here are things to consider before your scheduled operation at our ambulatory center.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this page is meant for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Please discuss the details of your treatment with your surgeon during one of your consultations.

Talking to Your Surgeon

During your first consultation with our board-certified surgeon Dr. Naman, voice your expectations and concerns openly! Look at the initial consultation as an opportunity to gain insight into the plastic surgery process and what it can and cannot achieve. We will always be honest and upfront with you.

Ideally, good candidates for plastic surgery must have a positive outlook, realistic expectations and patience for the surgical process to go smoothly. Our doctors want to make sure you meet all of these requirements before selecting you for surgery.

Preoperative Testing

After the initial consultation, you will need to have some preoperative testing so we can make sure you are healthy enough to undergo anesthesia and surgery. This is usually done about three to four weeks before surgery and starts with a preoperative visit.

During your preoperative visit, our staff will go over your medical history, pre-op and post-op instructions. If necessary, they will order lab tests, an X-ray, an electrocardiogram, mammogram and/or medical clearance, all of which you can have done at a clinic of your choice. You will also sign consent forms and other paperwork during your preoperative visits.

Medications to Avoid

It is important to inform your team about any prescription medications and/or supplements you currently take. While some medications simply need to be adjusted before your procedure, others need to be avoided completely because they can interfere with blood clotting. Poor blood clotting can put you at risk of bleeding and bruising during and after surgery.

Here is the full list of medications we tell our patients to discontinue a week or two prior to surgery:

Aspirin (Anacin, Ascriptin, Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin, Excedrin)
Choline and magnesium salicylates (CMT, Tricosal, Trilisate)
Choline salicylate (Arthropan)
Celecoxib (Celebrex)
Diclofenac potassium (Cataflam)
Diclofenac sodium with misoprostol (Arthrotec)
Diflunisal (Dolobid)
Etodolac (Lodine, Lodine XL)
Fenoprofen calcium (Nalfon)
Flurbiprofen (Ansaid)
Diclofenac sodium (Voltaren, Voltaren XR)
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Motrin IB, Nuprin)
Indomethacin (Indocin, Indocin SR)
Magnesium salicylate (Arthritab, Bayer Select, Doan’s Pills, Magan, Mobidin, Mobogesic)
Meclofenamate sodium (Meclomen)
Mefenamic acid (Ponstel)
Meloxicam (Mobic)
Nabumetone (Relafen)
Naproxen (Naprosyn, Naprelan)
Ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail)
Naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox)
Oxaprozin (Daypro)
Piroxicam (Feldene)
Rofecoxib (Vioxx)
Valdecoxib (Bextra)
Salsalate (Amigesic, Anaflex 750, Disalcid, Marthritic, Mono-Gesic, Salflex, Salsitab)
Sodium salicylate (various generics)
Sulindac (Clinoril)
Tolmetin sodium (Tolectin)Herbal Supplements
St. John’s Wort
Echinacea
Green Tea
Ephedra
Valerian
Fish Oil
Garlic
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginger
Kava Kava
Feverfew
Vitamin EBlood Thinners
Clopidogrel
Coumadin
Plavix
Ximelagatran
Warfarin sodium

Personal Hygiene

Good pre-procedure hygiene is of immense importance before surgery as it helps prevent infections.

Remove piercings, hair extensions, nail extensions, lash extensions and spray-on tan before your showers and before surgery.
Take a shower the day before surgery using chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) soap like Hibiclens, which is an antiseptic.
Wash your hair with your usual shampoo first, making sure to rinse well before washing your body.
With the water off, apply CHG soap all over your skin, starting from the jaw to your toes. Scrub thoroughly for five minutes, paying special attention to areas that will be treated. Rinse well and DO NOT use regular soap after using CHG soap.
Pat yourself dry with a clean towel and put on clean clothes. Do not apply creams, lotions, deodorant, nail polish, makeup or other cosmetic products after your pre-treatment showers.
If you are having facial surgery, wash your face with warm water and apply an undiluted chlorhexidine skin cleanser. Avoid the eye, ear and mouth area. Pat dry with a clean towel and do not apply any cosmetics.
DO NOT shave, wax or have dermabrasion treatments in the week leading up to your surgery.

Proper Attire

Comfortable and loose-fitting clothing is best before and after surgery. Loose clothing that is easy to take off and on will help you feel more comfortable and prevent injuring the surgical site.

Some examples of proper attire for surgery are:

Loose-fitting sweatpants or shorts
Button-down or zipper-front shirts and blouses
Cotton undergarments and socks
Comfortable slip-on shoes (avoid sandals and flip-flops)

We also advise leaving all your jewelry, watches and other accessories at home.

Diet & Lifestyle

A nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle can speed up your recovery process and minimize the risk of complications like infections.

In the three to four weeks leading up to surgery, eat a balanced diet by sticking to five portions of varied fruits and vegetables, opting for fiber-rich grains, getting at least 50g of lean or plant-based proteins, and choosing unsaturated fats.
In the three days preceding surgery, stick to light and liquid meals like soups, vegetable stews and smoothies. This will prevent nausea and constipation after your surgery.
Some patients are given an NPO instruction, which is short for nothing per oral and means “nothing by mouth.” This means no food or water after midnight before surgery. Having food or water in your stomach increases risks during anesthesia.
We also encourage patients to stop smoking and to abstain from alcohol and recreational drugs. These habits can interfere with your anesthesia and slow down healing.

Preparing Mentally

While not as invasive as, say, open heart surgery, plastic surgery is surgery nonetheless. Going under the knife can make you feel anxious, as can the anticipation about your results.

At Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery, we make it a priority to help our patients feel safe and at peace before and after their procedures. From the carefully chosen décor in our office to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, to our education-focused consultation and prayers offered before surgery, all our efforts are aimed at enabling you to rest in a peaceful state of mind.

To learn more about how you could prepare mentally for your procedure, see what Dr. Naman suggests in the following video:

Making Arrangements

All plastic surgery procedures require downtime, so you will need to take time off work, exercise and social activities. Your surgeon will let you know how much downtime is necessary after your procedure.

Because you will be given anesthesia and because surgery will likely prevent you from doing your usual daily routines, you want to make post-procedure arrangements.

Get your usual medications filled ahead.

Have a responsible adult ready to drive you back home on the day of your surgery. All our surgeries are performed in an outpatient setting at our Brookstone Ambulatory Surgery Center (BASC), so overnight stays are rarely necessary.

Arrange for help during at least the day of your surgery, but ideally longer until you can manage comfortably on your own.

To learn more about preoperative preparations, contact Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery at (706) 494-7700 or fill out our online appointment form.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

CHATTAHOOCHEE PLASTIC SURGERY