Pre-Surgery Checklist
Before you go in for your cosmetic surgery, be it weight loss surgery or breast augmentation, all surgical procedures have a pre-surgery checklist which should be followed. These rules and guidelines make sure that your surgery goes well. Any procedure on the body will be an ordeal, and your body needs to be in the best state to ensure that everything goes without a hitch. So whether you are looking for breast enhancement or rhinoplasty, your plastic surgery will go well if you follow the pre-surgery checklist. Be sure to note that this advice will vary with your cosmetic plastic surgery procedure ad your plastic surgeon, so what is listed here is just a guideline.
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When you meet you doctor for the first time, you should have a list of your current medications that are prescribed to you, along with any other drugs you are taking over the counter, and any herbal supplements. Your medical history will also be needed. This information is important, because during the plastic surgery, anesthesia will be administered, and any interaction with that and other medications has to be known and accounted for. You should also be prepared to ask your plastic surgeon for his or her pre-surgery checklist, including such information as which medications you should put a hold on; how you should shower before the operation; which medications you have to take; meal recommendations for the day before and day of the surgery, what you should prepare for after the surgery; and any other information your plastic surgeon will need to convey and instructions you need to follow.
Medications are an important concern before, during and after the procedure. Medication interaction is the one largest risk when all of the information is not present, so you have to tell the doctor all of the medications you are taking and those that you are allergic to. These include vitamins, minerals and herbs that you consuming.
The day of the surgery, you will need to be sure to purchase those items that your surgeon has told you to purchase. Also be sure to follow all medication instructions to the letter. You should also have arranged for a ride home from someone, who should also be willing to stay with you to tend to your recovery. Postoperative prescriptions should also be filled. Related to the medications is that you should stop smoking at least a day before the surgery. Smoking will slow down recovery and cause nausea.
The night before, you should pack your bag with those items you may need. Some procedures will require an overnight stay, so you should have a change of clothing. You should not need any valuables, such as cash, credit cards, jewelry or such, so leave those items at home. All of the paperwork should be taken care of, so an id and your insurance card should be the only real thing in your wallet or purse. Your eyeglass or contact case should also be brought along with a comfortable set of clothes for after the procedure. You should also bring a living will or form indicating power of attorney so long as you have these documents. It is a precaution for every surgery, because despite the fact the nothing may happen, you should be prepared for it anyway.
It is important that before your cosmetic plastic surgery that you obtain and follow your pre-surgery checklist. Any procedure is a matter of going through the motions, and if all of the instructions your plastic surgeon provides are followed, then nothing will happen, except your rhinoplasty, breast augmentation or other cosmetic surgery.
