General Recommendations for plastic surgery |
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Before surgery
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Once you have decided undergoing plastic surgery, it is vital you feel all your doubts about the procedure have been completely resolved. In this way, you may feel comfortable and less anxious about the surgery. Honestly communicate to your surgeon all your doubts and goals for surgery. Dr. Nieto and his experienced medical team are ready and willing to help you with your needs. |
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If possible, try to schedule surgery in such way this does not coincide with your menstrual period. |
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Evaluate your general health status. Any active disease or preexisting medical condition must be treated before undergoing plastic surgery. |
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Strictly follow all physician`s recommendations and have all required preoperative lab tests. |
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Avoid taking any medication that has not been prescribed by your doctor, especially aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid) or aspirin-like products (Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin or Aleve). These medicines have anticoagulant adverse effects and may increase the risk of bleeding or scarring complications. |
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Patients who generally take vitamin supplements must stop taking vitamin E during the perioperative period. |
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Please, make sure you have the prescribed surgeon´s medications for your post-operative care. |
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It is vitally important to have a caregiver you can trust to help you every day after surgery. |
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Give your body enough time to recover after surgery. Arrange to have someone to watch your children, if any. This may help you to rest without worries during your convalescence. |
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Do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages of any kind. Smoking significantly reduces the body´s superficial circulation since diminish blood´s capacity to bring needed oxygen to tissues, and also interferes with proper healing and scarring process. In the same way, phlegm production in smokers causes difficulty in breathing and makes difficult intubation, if needed. Also, alcohol diminishes capacity of blood coagulation and increases probability of bleeding complications during surgery. If you have smoked or drunk before the procedure, please inform your surgeon and anesthesiologist. |
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Get enough rest. This will provide the energy your body needs for surgery and convalescence. |
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Your doctor will give you specific written and oral instructions on how to prepare and proceed for the day of surgery, including date and scheduled time, place and all information required for your surgery. |
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More... |
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Corporal Surgery |
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Facial Surgery |
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Costs |
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Day of surgery
You should arrive for surgery 45 minutes prior to the scheduled time, so you have extra time to register and change from your regular clothes to your hospital gown. Early arrival provides time for you to calmly prepare to go to the operating room. Please bring your insurance information, ID card and passport. A nursing staff member will help you to complete the admission details with you.
The nurse will review your medical history and jewelry removing, and will ask you to take out any removable dental prosthesis. Also, the nurse will ask you questions such as if you had anything to eat or drink in the last hours or before arriving at the medical center. Then you will be taken to a room where you will find a hospital gown, booties and a hat to put on before going into surgery. Then, you will be asked to use the bathroom.
After your admission process, your surgeon and anesthesiologist will visit you prior to surgery. In this moment your doctor will review all lab test results and other reports. Then your doctor or a nurse will take your vital signs and ask some questions regarding your health or feelings about surgery. Please inform your doctor about any discomfort (nausea, fever, cold) or changes in your health before surgery. If you still have any doubts or questions, this is the moment to resolve them.
Dr. Nieto will give you a list of specific instructions to prepare for surgery. Here you will find some of those general recommendations:
1. Bath
On the morning of surgery, you may wash your hair as usual. Remember, it is possible your doctor ask you not to bath or shower for some days after surgery.
2. Diet
Your doctor will give you specific instructions about your diet before surgery. Usually, you will be asked not to eat or drink anything for 8 to 12 hours before your operation. This alimentary abstinence will avoid the risk of aspirating fluids (bronchoaspiration) during surgery. This includes liquids of any kind, water, candies, mints, or chewing gum. These recommendations may vary depending on the kind of surgery you have.
3. Urinary elimination
You will receive instructions from the nurse in order to void (to empty the bladder) before surgery. Urine catheterization may be used during surgery to keep the bladder empty.
4. Medication
Follow your physician´s instructions. It is possible you may also receive medications to help you relax. And please, do not forget to bring and take your usual medication.
5. Antibiotic prophylaxis
In some cases, antimicrobial prophylaxis is used to reduce the incidence of postoperative wound infections.
6. Bring your test results and other reports
Please bring your test results or other reports you may have. The lab test required for surgery include: complete blood count, blood type, electrolytes, and urea; also, glucose in blood, as well as, sediment and glucose in urine. Have at hand ECG or X-ray tests or any other report you consider important for medical criteria.
7. Allergies
Please inform both your surgeon and anesthesiologist if you suffer from allergy to some medication or previous adverse reactions to anesthesia.
8. Depilation
Your doctor may ask you to use a depilatory cream in some area of your body depending on your surgery. Only use depilatory creams. The use of razors prior to surgery increases the incidence of wound infection.
9. Intravenous therapy
In the operating room the intravenous therapy or IV will be initiated. The IV is the giving of liquid substances directly into a vein. Through a needle you will receive saline solution, anesthesia, and other medications you may need during surgery.
10. Asepsis
Once in the operating room, the medical staff will clean, and shave, if necessary, the area of your body that will be operated. Your body will be covered with a sheet. Inform the nurse about any discomfort you may feel.
11. Jewelry and makeup
Avoid wearing jewelry or makeup on the day of surgery. Jewelry could interfere with anesthesia or the placement of monitoring equipment. If you are wearing jewelry, you can give it to the person who accompanies you the day of surgery. Makeup and nail polish may interfere with vital signs monitoring. Do not use perfumes, lotions, deodorants or shaving creams the day of surgery.
12. Lens and prosthesis
If you are wearing glasses, contact lenses or prosthesis, please remove them before going into surgery. Do not forget bring your contact lenses case and solution. The nurse will receive these objects from you, put them into a bag with your name on it, and give them to the person who comes with you.
13. Clothing
You should wear comfortable clothing that fastens either in the front of back so you can take off easily. Make sure to wear pants and shoes that are comfortable. Remember to wear loose clothing since you might use some kind of bandage when you leave the medical center.
14. Accompaniment
You must have a responsible adult to accompany and stay with you the day of surgery. This person will register as your companion, friend, or family member, and he/she must drive you home after surgery. Your companion will stay in the waiting area while you are in the operating room. You will not be permitted to drive yourself home so you should arrange for that person who accompanies you to be available to drive you home, and take care of you at home.
If you do not count on someone to be with you the day of surgery, your surgeon may consider postponing the procedure.
We request that only two relatives/friends accompany you the day of your surgery. For more than two visitors, please speak to the nurse/doctor to discuss your needs. It is best if children do not attend.
What to expect after surgery
After surgery, you will be taken to the post-anesthesia care unit where your anesthesiologist will monitor your vital signs. When you wake up, you will find a bandage over the operated area. Also, you may find you have a surgical drainage, which allows fluids to release to prevent that may accumulate and become a focus of infection. You will stay at the post-anesthesia care unit until your surgeon and anesthesiologist consider you may be transferred to the recovery room.
One of the members or our nursing staff will stay with you during your recovery from anesthesia. The nurse will observe your temperature and will give you a blanket, if needed. Also, the nurse will register the advance of your recovery, details of your surgery, events occurred during the procedure, incision and drain conditions, and type of anesthesia employed during surgery.
Postoperatively, your pain levels will be assessed so the adequate pain reliever may be prescribed. You will be given a prescription with antibiotics to prevent complications. Once you have recovered from anesthesia you will be transferred to a recovery room where you may rest.
Discharge from medical center
You will be stay in the hospital for the time required for your recovery. Your surgeon will not discharge you until he is assured you are in stable condition. Dr. Nieto will observe your physical mobility, vital signs, temperature, incisions, consciousness, and general health condition before discharging.
Post-operative care
Proper post-operative care is essential to maintain the best possible results and avoid complications after surgery. Instructions may vary from patient to patient depending on type of procedure. Though, it is extremely important to follow the general instructions.
Post-operative general instructions
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Avoid smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages of any kind. Smoking significantly reduces the body´s superficial circulation since diminish blood´s capacity to bring needed oxygen to tissues, and also interferes with proper healing and scarring process. |
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Avoid strenuous activity. |
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Avoid rapid movements. Move slowly to prevent dizziness and nausea. |
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Your body will take some time to recover from surgery. Give your body enough time to recovery. Because of the stress from surgery, it is vital you give your body time to recover and accept the changes. |
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You will be discharged with post-operative analgesia. |
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Avoid taking aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid) or anti-inflammatory medications such as Motrin, Advil or Aleve. Aspirin affects blood coagulation and may increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery.
Tampoco tome Motrín, Advil o Aleve. |
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The remaining sutures are usually removed some days after surgery. Your physician will inform you the date of this procedure. |
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Drinking enough water may help your body to recover from surgery. |
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In the days following surgery, you may experience bruising and swelling. But, the majority of the bruising and swelling usually resolve days after surgery. |
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Make sure you have a light diet for your stay at home. Your physician will give you specific instructions about your diet. |
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Your doctor may suggest start with clear liquids and progress as tolerated to a light meal. Then progress to more substantial well-balanced meal plan for your recovery phase and for the days and weeks after surgery to help you stay strong. |
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Because of the prescribed pain and antibiotic medications patients receive, constipation is a frequent symptom. It is very important increasing your intake of fluids, especially water. When possible, try to eat high-fiber foods. Your physician may prescribe a mild stool softener, if required. |
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Many patients experience feelings of sadness or anxiety during recovery after surgery. This may occur for many reasons, such as the use of some medications that may cause this effect on you, and the fact that for now bruising and swelling do not let you see the results. In fact, this is quite normal. Your feelings of sadness and depression will subside as you heal. Please, speak with your physician, who is willing to listen to you. |
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Your surgeon will give you advice about when you can resume your usual activities. Light physical activity after surgery may help to the healing process. |
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Your post-operative emotions may affect your healing. Maintaining a positive attitude is very important. |
Dr. Nieto will closely observe your convalescence and healing. Please do not hesitate to contact her if you have questions or concerns. You may call Dr. Nieto´s mobile phone or to her office anytime. You will always find a member of Dr. Nieto´s staff who is willing to address your questions and concerns and maximize your comfort before, during and after treatment. As a rule, Dr. Nieto supervises your recovery from the procedure to ensure that you will be as comfortable as possible. In case of emergency, please try to get in touch with the surgeon, and follow her instructions, or go to the local hospital nearer to you.
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