Essentials on How to Get Ready for Your Plastic Surgery

• Always schedule your procedure for a time when your head and mind are at rest. It’s best not to have multiple stressors at once, so avoid scheduling your surgery during times of serious marital issues, work issues, a house move, or when you’re feeling sad, depressed, or dealing with other stressful situations.
• Mention all your medical conditions and medicines (prescribed and over-the-counter) to your doctors.
• A few days prior to your surgery, you should get your post-op medications at the pharmacy. If you’re having your surgery through VISAGE Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, your prescriptions will be given to you by Dr. DuPéré or faxed to your pharmacy. Patients can be prescribed analgesics, antibiotics, anti-nausea, and anti-constipation medications, depending on the type of procedure scheduled. Please note that narcotics can cause nausea and constipation, so make sure you have some Gravol and anti-constipation agents such as fiber, Metamucil, Senokot, or Colace on hand.
• To minimize bruising and bleeding for your procedure, avoid ALL blood thinners – medical and herbal, including alcohol. See our blog on herbal medicine and blood thinners.
• In advance, shop for groceries and prepare some light meals for your post-op recovery period. For light meals, we suggest soft proteins such as cooked chicken, fish, and lentils; soup; yogurt; cottage cheese; juice; fruit, and vegetables. Make sure you have enough protein, as your body needs it for proper healing. Also, a low-salt diet can help reduce swelling.
• If you are undergoing facial procedures, prepare ice packs to reduce post-op swelling. You can also use packs of frozen vegetables and gel packs; frozen green peas work beautifully.
• Prepare the room in the house where you will be recovering. Consider using a ground-level room so you won’t have to climb stairs after tummy-tuck, thigh or calf surgery, if possible. Set up your bedside with all of your essentials nearby, including bottled water, TV remote, reading material, iPad, iPod, telephone, tissues, snacks, medications, and your doctor’s contact numbers.
• On the day of surgery, wear loose clothing (front-closing, if possible) and safe footwear so you can undress and re-dress easily after the operation.
• Do not wear jewelry or make-up on the day of surgery; it’s a good idea to leave your valuables at home.
• Please remove fingernail and toenail polish prior to surgery so we can accurately monitor your oxygen during the procedure.
• You are NOT allowed any food or liquid AFTER MIDNIGHT the day before your surgery. So, do not drink coffee, water, or tea, and do not eat breakfast.
• If you are taking heart pills or hypertension pills, you are allowed to take them with a tiny sip of water. If you are taking blood thinners (aspirin, Advil, Plavix, Coumadin, etc.), talk to Dr. DuPéré at least 10 days in advance. It’s best to ask your own doctor if it is safe to suspend those medications.
• Our office will give you a precise time to arrive at the surgical center. Keep in mind that we ask patients to come early and that surgical time is not always predictable, so bring some good books, a computer, an iPod, or an iPad.
• If you were provided with a garment, bring it with you on the surgery day. For breast surgery, bring a comfortable sports bra that will fit your new breasts.
• Refrain completely from smoking 3 weeks pre-surgery and for 3 additional weeks post-surgery. Smoking negatively affects your procedure, your results, your complication rate, and your recovery.
• You cannot undergo elective cosmetic surgery if you are pregnant.
• Your major surgery will be performed in a fully accredited surgical center with certified OR nurses and Royal College-certified anesthesiologists.
• Most patients go home on the same day as the surgery. Immediately after the surgery, most patients stay at the accredited surgical center for a few hours for recovery, and then they are discharged. An adult must accompany you home, even if you are taking a taxi. You will be asked to provide the name and number of the person who will pick you up. An adult also has to be with you for the first 24-hour period after you’ve had general anesthesia or IV sedation. We also have a service of nurses who can accompany you and stay with you after your procedure. Different levels of caregivers are offered depending on your procedure and the level of care required.
• It is common to be prohibited from showering and bathing immediately after surgery, so shower and wash your hair just prior to your surgery.
• Patients should refrain from physical activities for a period of 4-8 weeks after most plastic surgery procedures; discuss this with Dr. DuPéré as each procedure is different.
• All surgical patients are provided with Dr. DuPéré’s cell number for questions or concerns outside office hours. The VISAGE Clinic staff and Dr. DuPéré are always available to answer any questions you may have during the recovery period. Do not hesitate to call us.

I look forward to having you as a patient and client, and I invite you to browse through our before-and-after photos to see the type of results you can expect.

If you would like to schedule a cosmetic surgery consultation at VISAGE Clinic in Toronto, you can contact us online or call us at (416) 929-9800.

by Dr. Marc DuPéré, Toronto plastic surgeon