General Instructions For Surgical Cases - All Patients

Please read all these instructions carefully and ask if you have any questions.

BEFORE YOUR OPERATION

In the interests of good medical care you should be in the best possible mental and physical heath before elective surgery for a non- urgent condition. Medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias should be stabilized prior to surgery. If you have a personal crisis or physical upset such a cold, flu, boil, active skin infection, recent injury with or without skin involvement, please let us know as soon as possible before the date of surgery.

If you have to cancel your surgery for any reason, please give as much notice a possible so that my office can reschedule you.

You must ensure that your medical clearance, and pre-operative blood tests and EKG (if ordered) are done 14-20 days before surgery.

NO ASPIRIN OR ASPIRIN CONTAINING PRODUCTS should be taken for 2 weeks BEFORE or AFTER surgery since it interferes with normal blood clotting and WILL CAUSE INCREASED BLEEDING DURING SURGERY.

Please refer to the list of medications attached. If in doubt, ask.

If you are taking an oral contraceptives discontinue for four weeks prior surgery. This will interfere with normal blood clotting and make you more likely to form blood clots in the legs. Breast surgery is best performed in mid-menstrual cycle to reduce bleeding. Make sure that your physician and your nursing staff are aware that you are taking any of the following medications:

Are you allergic to tape drugs or anything else?

Stop drinking alcohol 2 weeks before surgery and abstain until two weeks after. Alcohol interferes with blood clotting. We recommend that smokers should stop smoking 2 weeks before surgery, but we can oblige you to do that. Smoking slows wound healing. All complications occur four times more frequently in smokers.

DAY OF SURGERY

Do not eat or drink ANYTHING 5 hour before surgery. If you have routine medications to take in the morning, discuss with me before day of surgery.
In general, these can be taken with a SIP of water, the morning before surgery. Pills for high blood pressure, sleeping pills and most medications for anxiety should be taken as scheduled but please check first with surgery or anesthetists.

General Instructions for Surgical Cases - All Patients

Do not wear makeup or apply any creams or lotions to your skin. If you wear contact lenses, you may have to remove them so bring a pair of glasses and your lens case. Bring dark glasses if you are having eyelid surgery. Wear comfortable loose fitting clothes. Avoid anything that must be put over your head if you’re having facial, breast, or abdominal surgery. If you are having hand surgery, wear a short sleeved shirt with wide sleeves. Please do not wear high heels or tight jeans. Do not wear rings, jewelers or nail polish. Leave valuables at home. If you are having surgery requiring anesthesia, purchase a pair of thigh high TED stockings and apply while lying flat. (This does not apply if you are having surgery on the lower extremity such as liposuction). The stocking will be prescribed prior to surgery. After breast surgery you have to use aftercare bra and after liposuction "support pants". These are usually supplied from our own inventory in the office 26-34 €.

AFTER YOUR OPERATION DURING THE FIRST WEEK AFTER SURGERY Rest quietly -Restrict physical activity to a minimum.

Reduce conversation to a minimum if you are having facial or neck surgery.
You may go to the bathroom with assistance as needed. Do not use hot or warm compresses. COLD compresses are recommended. Most dressings will become blood stained. This is normal. It is common to feel nauseated and run down after surgery and anesthesia.

DURING THE SECOND WEEK AFTER SURGERY-Restrict physical activity to a Minimum.