At Visage Clinic, we aim to make your cosmetic plastic surgery process in Toronto as smooth and convenient as possible. Please review these general instructions for before and after surgery.
If you have any questions, please immediately contact us online or call our office at (416) 929-9800.
General Pre-Surgery Instructions
- Most of our patients have a minimum of 2 visits with Royal College-certified plastic surgeon Dr. DuPéré prior to their surgery. Spouses and partners are always welcome to attend. Patients will also meet our patient coordinator, who will be a key resource throughout their surgical process. Dr. DuPéré will take a thorough history and perform a focused physical examination. Options will be discussed, including their benefits, risks, and limitations. Pictures will be taken for your file records and will never be shared unless we have your written approval.
- Because patients visit Visage from all corners of the country, Dr. DuPéré often offers a first encounter via a Skype video chat. This conversation serves as a good introduction and an opportunity to discuss a procedure. Physical examinations must be performed in person at the clinic, however.
- Prior to surgery, most patients see their family physician for a physical examination. We give patients a form to take to their family doctor to fill out. We also have a few affiliated family physicians if you do not have a family doctor. You may also need to undergo some routine blood or heart tests depending on your planned procedure and your health history.
- Dr. DuPéré will give you a prescription, which he can fax directly to your pharmacy. A few days prior to your surgery, you should pick up your medications at the pharmacy. Patients can be prescribed analgesics, antibiotics, and anti-nausea and anti-constipation medications depending on their procedures. Please note that analgesics can give you nausea and constipation. Make sure you have some Gravol® and anti-constipation agents (lots of fiber, Metamucil®, Senokot®, or Colace®) on hand.
- To minimize bruising and bleeding for your procedure:
- The following items are prone to cause bleeding; please avoid them for 10 days prior to treatment: aspirin (if you take this regularly, ask your doctor if it is OK to stop for a short time), Advil®, any anti-inflammatory medications, Motrin®, Aleve®, fish oil supplements, vitamin E supplements, omega-3 oil supplements, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, chamomile tea or candies, green tea, garlic pills, or any other osteopathic or naturopathic over-the-counter medicines. If you take blood thinners such as Plavix®, Coumadin®, or warfarin, please tell Dr. DuPéré at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. Also, inform Dr. DuPéré if you suffer from diabetes, as your medications may need to be modified. When in doubt about any medication, ask Dr. DuPéré or his staff.
- Avoid alcohol for a minimum of 72 hours prior to your procedure to minimize bleeding and bruising
- Eating pineapple and its core 3 days before and 7 days after the procedure helps reduce bruising. Pineapple contains bromelain, which seems to minimize bruising. You can either eat it or make a juice out of it with your home blender.
- Tylenol® (acetaminophen) is safe should you require a mild painkiller.
- Prepare some light meals for your recovery period:
- Protein drinks, soup, yogurt, cottage cheese, juice, etc.
- Make sure you have enough protein. Your body needs it for proper healing.
- 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, gel packs, etc.
- Prepare the room in the house where you will be recovering. Set up your bedside with all of your essentials nearby: 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 closures if possible, which will be easier to put on and take off after the operation).
- Remove fingernail and toenail polish prior to surgery.
- You are NOT allowed any food nor liquid AFTER MIDNIGHT the day before your surgery.
- No coffee, no water, no tea, no breakfast, etc.
- 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, talk to Dr. DuPéré in advance.
- Our office will give you the precise time to arrive at the surgical center. Leave all jewelry at home. Do not wear any makeup or nail polish. Keep in mind that we ask patients to arrive early and that surgical time is not always predictable, so bring some good books or your computer, iPod, or 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 for 2 weeks prior to surgery and for 2 additional weeks post-surgery. Smoking has a negative effect on your procedure, results, complication rate, and recovery.
- Do not undergo elective cosmetic surgery if you are pregnant.
- Your surgery will be performed in a fully accredited surgical center with certified operating room nurses and Royal College-certified anesthesiologists.
- Most patients go home on the day of their surgery. Most stay at our surgical center for a few hours for recovery, after which 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 hours after general anesthesia or IV sedation. If necessary, we have nurses who can accompany you and stay with you after your procedure. We offer different levels of caregivers, depending on your procedure and the level of care required. You can discuss fees with our team. We can also arrange a supervised overnight stay at our surgical center if needed.
- Most patients cannot shower or bathe immediately after surgery, so take a shower and wash your hair as close before your surgery as possible.
- Patients should refrain from physical activities for a period of 4 to 6 weeks after most plastic surgery procedures, so be sure to make any necessary arrangements ahead of time (for example, cancel exercise plans, or set up child care).
General Post-Surgery Instructions
- Dr. DuPéré will give you his cellphone number for any questions you may have after normal working hours. During working hours, call our office first. Our patient coordinator will also be in touch on a regular basis.
- You will receive procedure-specific post-op instructions after your surgery, such as:
- Instructions for showering
- Instructions for drain care if drains were inserted
- Instructions for return to normal activities
- Information on follow-up dates
- One of the most effective aids for a quick recovery is a positive attitude.
- Ice packs or compresses can be applied to minimize swelling.
- Periodically walking around your house is good for leg circulation and helps prevent blood clots. Staying bedridden is not recommended.
- Do not smoke during recovery. Smoking can increase the risk of complications.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. The nutrients and vitamins will help speed up your recovery and will help alleviate post-op constipation, which is common for 2 to 4 days after a procedure. Make sure you eat lots of fiber and have access to over-the-counter products such as Metamucil, Senokot, and Colace.
- Low energy is common following any surgery, so adjust to a slower schedule. Several contributing factors include:
- Stress and fear
- Refraining from your regular exercise, which can make you feel tired
- The medications, anesthesia, and trauma of the surgery
- Downtime is normal. Take this time to relax and care for yourself.
- Support from others is important.
- The Visage Clinic staff and Dr. DuPéré are always available to answer your questions during the recovery period.
Nurse Next Door™ Home Care Services
Visage Clinic is proud to offer the Nurse Next Door service to all our plastic surgery patients in Toronto. Nurse Next Door is a service of personal support workers, college RPN nurses, and full registered nurses who can accompany you in your post-surgical journey, helping with your daily activities while you are recovering. The nurses can pick you up at the surgical center and drive you home, get you organized in your comfortable bed or chair, and make sure you have food, water, pills, books, or your iPad close by your side, and so on.
Having an adult at home for the first 24 hours is mandatory after being under general anesthesia. Having a nurse at home for the first 12 to 48 hours may be recommended by Dr. DuPéré for medical supervision purposes and for patients undergoing longer surgeries. Some patients may decide to have someone at home for a few hours every day for a short time to help with the recovery, dressings, and drains. For patients who prefer to keep their procedure private, the Nurse Next Door service is perfect. The nurses can also accompany patients to a hotel if they are visiting from out of town for their procedure.
The Visage Clinic staff will be happy to go over the different levels of care offered and required depending on your situation and cost for each option.
