Preparing for Your Surgery

You may have reached the point where you're thinking “So many things to do, so little time!” Surgery day will be here before you know it, so it's best to complete your preparation well in advance to lessen your preoperative anxiety. Your surgeon may give you an information packet that explains everything you should do and know before your surgery date. The packet should include all the medications you should not take for up to 2 weeks before and after your surgery.

These medications will include, but are not limited to, aspirin and products containing aspirin, alcohol and herbal supplements. Also, your surgeon may advise you of the benefits of Arnica montana, Bromelain or vitamins A or K for swelling, bruising and general healing properties. Remember: only take a supplement or herbal remedy if your surgeon advises it!

It is quite possible that you will have a CBC, or complete blood count, performed. This is normally an out-of-pocket expense to check your white and red blood cell count and screen for any diseases or disorders.

Medications and Supplements to Avoid Before Surgery

There are many medications and supplements that you should not ingest prior to or after your surgery. They are included on our Medications and Supplements to Avoid Before Surgery list.

Aspirin and products that contain aspirin may inhibit blood clotting and cause difficulties during and after surgery. If you need an aspirin-free fever reducer and pain reliever, take Tylenol (acetaminophen).

If you smoke (tobacco or marijuana), you should refrain for at least 2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks after your surgery date. Smoking significantly reduces your body's superficial circulation and vascularity, which makes it more difficult to bring much needed oxygen to your tissues for proper healing.

You will also be given a list of things to buy or have around you in your "healing room". These include bags of frozen peas, raspberries or blueberries for icing down any swelling or bruising. You will be asked to buy an antibacterial soap and use it for a few days prior to surgery to kill staph and other surface bacteria. You will usually get gauze and other types of dressings to tend to your incision area. We have provided a list for your review below, or you may click here for a printable version to have on hand.

Preparing Your Home for Your Recovery

Please use the following tips to better prepare yourself for a more comfortable recovery:

• Clean your house, or have it cleaned.

• Unless you are fortunate to have a significant other who will grocery shop and cook while you're laid up, pick up some recovery food and treats like pudding, Jell-O and frozen dinners. Or, cook your own and freeze it.

• Take out the trash and recyclables so you don't have to deal with it during your recovery.

• Catch up on your laundry so it'll be one less activity to occupy your mind. 

• Make an activity list (bills, thermostat settings, errands, etc.) and take care of as much as possible before your surgery.

• Purchase all of your medications and dressings ahead of time.

• Place all medications in either a weekly pill case or in labeled containers marked with the times they are to be taken.

• Have a stack of movies, books, magazines or videogames on hand as a diversion.

• A laptop is an awesome thing to have during recovery. Be sure to have extra computer batteries or an AC adaptor available.

• If you enjoy video games, set up a Gameboy, Playstation or Nintendo nearby to ward off boredom.

• Arrange to have someone watch your pets or children during the initial recovery phase.

• If you can't fine a caregiver for them, tend to their needs beforehand. Put cans of food on the counter along with a can opener so you don't have to reach for it. Change the cat's litter box, since you won't be able to bend over during early recovery and you don't want to expose yourself to additional germs. Investing in a pet food dispenser that can be prestocked might also be a good idea.

• Have a lot of fluffy pillows on hand in your healing room to prop yourself up and make things more comfortable in general.

• A comfortable recliner may work better for you than a bed in the early days of recovery, and it'll make it easier to keep your upper body elevated.

• Keep a container with a lid next to you on the ride home and at your bedside in case you need to vomit. Plain crackers and bottled water can take the edge off any nausea you may have, particularly on the ride home. 

• Stock your nightstand with all of your medications, ample light, bottled water, a few packages of crackers, a remote control (with new batteries) and a fully-charged phone for your convenience.

• Install a nightlight so you can easily and safely find your way during late night trips to the bathroom.

• Keep extra blankets handy, since anesthesia can give you the chills after surgery.

• A heating pad, hot water bottle or microwaveable pack is great for a sore back, which is often a side effect of sleeping in an elevated position.

• Have your significant other or an older child help you with activities you cannot or should not perform yourself.

• Place anything you may need at hip level so there's no need to reach or bend down. This includes canned and dry goods in the kitchen and toiletries in the bathroom. Bending over for something is just as bad as reaching over your head!

• Have a robe and slippers (or several pair of thick socks) nearby for when you feel chilly.

• Oversized shirts that open from the front, sweat pants or pajama bottoms make comfortable recovery attire.

• Keep a hand mirror nearby so you don't have to get up to preen.

• If you have long hair, a few "scrunchies" are a terrific way to keep it out of your face.

• Have a good moisturizer on hand - a must for soothing dry skin!

• A box of tissues is indispensable, especially when you get all emotional from your meds or the anesthesia.

• Make time for yourself before your surgery. Fill the tub with warm water, pour in some bath salts or oils, light some candles, listen to music and relax. Try to gather your thoughts and soothe your mind. Afterwards, be sure to wash off any residue with antibacterial soap in the shower.

• Follow your surgeon's directions when it comes to washing with antibacterial soap before surgery. Some instruct you to use it for 3 days before, others say just the night before is fine.

• Wash your hair the night before surgery - it may be a long time before you get to do that again.

• Remove all fingernail and toenail polish.

• Talk to your spouse or significant other about any concerns you may have. They may be able to offer some insights or questions you haven't thought of, and they may be experiencing some pre-op anxiety of their own as well.

• Ask your surgeon for a prescription for something like Valium, or ask if you may take an over-the-counter sleeping medication to help you relax the night before surgery, if you think you might need it.

• Black out your windows so that when you do get to sleep, regardless of the hour, you won't be awakened by light from outside.

• If you think television, video games and reading are eventually going to bore you or stress your eyes, have a CD player nearby so you can relax with your favorite tunes or audiobooks.

• Keep fresh film or a disposable camera handy for post-op photos, especially if you are planning to document your procedure on a personal website or this one.

• Have your journal and a few new pens ready if you plan on keeping a written record of your postoperative thoughts. Or, if you are like me, it may be easier to type into a laptop or talk into a cassette recorder.

• A body pillow is quite helpful, especially when you are allowed to sleep without elevation.

• A special neck pillow is a good investment to have so you don't sleep on your face or roll to the side.

• Have a flashlight on your nightstand in case the power goes out.

• If you don't have a laptop and you have online friends who are dying to hear from you, have your significant other email them with your recovery news.

• Have an answering machine connected to the phone next to your recovery area. Don't forget to turn down the volume and turn off the ringer when you want to sleep.

• Last but not least, RELAX. Stress can really adversely affect your recovery. Try to remember that you will heal, you will be less sore and that you are going to look great! Just be patient.

Preoperative Shopping

Shopping for recovery may be overwhelming, so we've provided a print out of our suggestions:

Pharmacy

1. Medications

          ___ pain medications __________________________________

          ___ antibiotics __________________________________

          ___ anti-inflammatory ____________________________

          ___ blood pressure (if applicable)  __________________

          ___ other  ______________________________________   

2.  ___ pill case

3.  ___ time chart of when to take your meds

4.  ___ birth control (If you are taking birth control pills, don't forget that some antibiotics can interfere with their effectiveness. Use another form of contraception as backup.)

5. ___ dressings, gauze, antibiotic ointment

6. ___ Antibacterial soap

7. ___ over-the-counter (OTC) sleep medications (or ask surgeon for prescription)

8. ___ thermometer

9. ___ mild stool softeners (like Colace)

10. ___ silicone sheeting, Steri-strips, Mederma (if applicable) for incisions

11. ___ moist towelettes, make-up remover towelettes

12. ___ topical or oral arnica 

13. ___ oral vitamin C, unless otherwise specified

14. ___ elastic bandage, support garments, chin straps, etc.  (if applicable).

15. ___ OTC muscle relaxants (ask your surgeon first!)

16. ___ hot water bottles/heating pads for your back

17. ___ hand moisturizer

18. ___ boxes of tissues

Grocery Store

1. ___ frozen bags of berries or peas (if applicable)

2. ___ Ritz crackers, Vanilla Wafers, Cheez-Its, or Goldfish crackers to ease your stomach and to take with medications

3. ___ bottled water, electrolyte or energy drinks (ask surgeon if these are okay)

4. ___ daikon (root vegetable for cleansing the bowels, best used after you've finished all your medications)

5. ___ frozen dinners

6. ___ pudding and Jell-O

7. ___ fruit

8. ___ cookies

9. ___ __________________________________________________

Department Store or Other

1. ___ lots of fluffy pillows

2. ___ whistle, walkie-talkie or an intercom system

3. ___ camera

4. ___ film/disposable or digital camera

5. ___ journal

6. ___ ink pens

7. ___ support garments, neck straps, etc.

8. ___ Gameboy, Playstation, or Nintendo

9. ___ bucket or pail with lid (for nausea)

10. ___ fresh batteries for remote, Gameboy, MP3 player, booklight, phone, etc.

11. ___ pajamas, robe, or oversized comfortable shirts that button in the front

12. ___ slippers (or several pairs of thick socks)

13. ___ hand mirror

14. ___ hair "scrunchies" for long hair

15. ___ CDs of music or audiobooks

16. ___ body pillow(s)

17. ___ flashlight or nightlight for late night bathroom trips

18. ___ answering machine (or borrow a friend's)

19. ___ laptop with long phone cord (or borrow a friend's)

 

Swelling and Bruising Recommendations

You will bruise and or have swelling and tenderness – it's a normal part of the healing process. Keep this in mind and prepare yourself emotionally. 

Discuss swelling and bruising with your surgeon and ask for some suggestions for dealing with both. Medications, supplements, and herbal remedies may be helpful, but only if your surgeon approves of them. You may wish to ask him or her about bromelain, arnica, vitamins A and K, and pineapple juice. You may also visit the Cosmetic Surgery Shop for more products targeted for facial plastic surgery patients.

Depression After Surgery

Periods of sadness and emotional fluctuations can be an issue for many patients after their surgery. It is very important to know this in advance so that you are not cast into a deep lull that can affect your healing. Please see our section on Postoperative Depression. This information will remind you that you knew feeling “blue” was a possibility and that this, too, shall pass.