General Pre-op Instructions
We are so excited you have chosen us to be a part of this life-changing journey! For patients who are considering plastic surgery in Miami, information about their surgical process is critical and helps them to have a successful preparation and recovery. Here you will find general pre-op guidelines before your cosmetic surgery procedure. Our staff will provide you with detailed pre-op instructions once you have booked your surgery date. If you have specific questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Labwork
You must have your laboratory and medical clearance results submitted to our office within 15 to 30 days prior to your surgery date. Failure to do so will result in canceling your booked date without refunding your deposit. Out-of-town patients will receive the lab orders and all the documentation required by email to have their lab tests done locally (except for patients from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Canada).
Cancellation
Please contact us to learn about our cancelation policy and fees.
Drugs to Avoid
The drug list below is a compilation of prescription and non-prescription drugs that contain elements that will seriously affect bleeding during and after surgery. This list may not be complete, we, therefore, urge you to tell us about all the medicines you are taking. These drugs must be stopped two weeks before surgery. However, we advise you not to discontinue any medication prescribed to you by another physician until you have consulted with our staff.
- Aspirin Containing Drugs
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medicines (Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn, and Anaprox,)
- Anti-inflammatory Medicines
- Anti-Gout Medicines (Lopurin, Zyloprim)
- Anticoagulants
- Vitamins & Minerals (Vitamin E, Cayenne, Ephedra, Echinacea, Feverfew, Ginger, Ginko, Ginseng, Kava-Kava, Garlic, St John’s Wort, Licorice, Saw Palmetto, Valonia)
NICOTINE
If you smoke and you’re planning to have plastic surgery, quit. Follow your surgeon’s recommendation, which may be to quit 3 to 6 weeks before surgery through 3 to 6 weeks after.
Mixing nicotine with plastic surgery can result in problems such as
- Skin elasticity problems
- Infections
- Death of fat cells (fat necrosis), causing hard lumps
- Delayed wound healing
- Thick, wide scars
- Blood clots, which can be fatal
- Increased pain
- Permanent small vessel damage adds risk even if you quit
- Loss of breast implants
- Severe complications including stroke, heart failure or attack, thrombus, and pneumonia.
You can find nicotine in different forms and products. Quit any form of nicotine, including secondary smoke, nicotine gum, patches, snuff, chewing tobacco, cigarettes, pipes, cigars, and even trendy e-cigarettes.
Alcohol
Please stop drinking alcohol 30 days before surgery. Do not ingest any alcohol or mind-altering drugs for 48 hours before the surgery
Marijuana
Like nicotine, marijuana can complicate surgery and should be avoided in the weeks and even months prior to your procedure. Much like smoking cigarettes, abstaining from marijuana in the weeks before surgery can decrease the likelihood of complications during and after surgery.
Diet
If you are a vegetarian, kindly notify our staff so that we can arrange for dietary supplements if necessary. Since protein is essential for the healing process, vegetarians may be required to take a scoop of a protein mix in a 10-ounce glass of skim milk twice daily, beginning four weeks before and continuing two weeks after the surgery to ensure proper healing.
Drinking sports drinks daily for three to four days after surgery in order to replenish the potassium levels and fluid balance in your body.
Refrain from foods that contain a high salt content for at least 48 hours before the surgery and five days after surgery. The following is a list of foods with a high salt content:
- Canned Soups
- Bullion
- Cocoa Mix
- Salted Nuts
- Pretzels
- Ham
- Relish
- Bacon
- Mustard
- Smoked Fish
- Potato Chips
- Lunch Meats
Transportation
Enlist a responsible driver, 21 years or older, to drive you to the Center and back on the day of surgery. Arrive at the surgery center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled surgery. If you live more than an hour away from the Center you should make arrangements to stay with friends or at a nearby recovery facility. Please call the office the day before your surgery to confirm your schedule, arrival times, and surgery. Be sure the office knows of your arrangements for transportation. If you are staying with friends or at a hotel, be sure the office has all the information and the phone numbers.
Personal Care
Please shower and wash your hair and body the night before surgery. Depending on the surgery you will need to shave your body areas. Repeat the shower and wash your hair on the day of surgery. Do not wear make-up or any jewelry. Remove your watch. Wear loose-fitting clothes that button or zip in the front.
Downtime
Arrange to be away from work or school for up to 10 days. Please inquire about recovery times for your particular procedure.
