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Timing
Finances
Social Support
Pre-Operative Appointment
Medical Clearance
Medical Tests
Medications
Consents
Photographs
Instructions
Recovery Aids
Pre-Operative Appointment
When you do schedule your surgery date, you may also
be scheduled for a preoperative appointment to take
place a week or two before surgery. The pre-op appointment
is an important time for you and your surgeon to clarify
your expectations and review the surgical plan, including
incision placement, anesthesia method, and potential
risks and complications.
If you have any hesitations or are unsure about whether
you truly wish to proceed with surgery, the preoperative
appointment is an excellent opportunity to discuss those
concerns.
Medical Clearance
Fortunately, most people considering cosmetic surgery
are in good health, with few medical problems. A medical
review will nonetheless be performed to verify your
health status, allergies and medications, and past medical
and surgical history. (If you are having local anesthesia,
a medical exam may not be necessary).
Some doctors will perform a physical exam themselves;
others will require you to go to your regular doctor
for an examination and medical clearance. Your physical
exam may include checking your blood pressure, looking
in your ears and throat for signs of infection, listening
to your heart for murmurs or irregular heartbeats, and
checking your legs to see if you have good blood circulation.
Medical Tests
Sometimes you will be required to have blood tests,
an EKG, chest x-ray, and/or a urine test. These tests
can show signs of various disorders; the most commonly
discovered conditions are described below.
When requested, a blood test (CBC or Complete Blood
Count) is done primarily to check for signs of anemia
(low red blood cell count) or infection (high blood
cell count). An EKG screens for irregularities in the
heart rhythm or for evidence of damage to the heart.
Chest X-rays can show lung problems, such as pneumonia
or bronchitis, or an enlarged heart. Urine tests screen
for bladder infections or sugar in the urine, which
is seen with Diabetes.
Even if your medical or laboratory test results are
abnormal, you are not automatically prevented from having
cosmetic surgery, although you may need to treat a condition
before safely proceeding with your planned plastic surgery.
Medications
Your doctor will likely give you prescriptions for medication.
Be sure to have these filled right away so that they
are ready for you after surgery.
Sometimes medication even needs to be taken before
surgery, such as anti-viral medication to prevent cold
sores if you are planning a laser or chemical peel.
Some drugs interfere with anesthesia or promote bleeding.
You will be given a long list of medications to avoid
before surgery.
Anything containing or related to aspirin will increase
bleeding. (See aspirin list). This includes anti-inflammatory
drugs such as ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn, etc.
If you need something to relieve pain, TYLENOL IS SAFE
TO TAKE SINCE IT DOES NOT PROMOTE BLEEDING.
To Next Section - Consents,
Photographs, Instructions, and Recovery Aids
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