Procedure Preparation

To optimize you for your forthcoming surgery, you will be provided with detailed instructions. Please read these well in advance of your procedure, as many of the instructions start two weeks prior to surgery.

We are committed to your comfort and safety. Whether you are having non-surgical treatments or surgical procedures, we use a number of techniques to keep you as comfortable as possible, including skin vibration, cold rollers, topical ice, PRO-NOX (self administered nitros oxide/ laughing gas), nerve blocks, topical anesthetics, local anesthetic infiltration, oral relaxants (Valium or Xanax) or general anesthesia, when appropriate, to make your experience stress-free.

Whether you are new to facial plastic surgery or have already benefited from one or more procedures, knowing what to expect will make you feel more comfortable about the process.

Two Weeks Before Your Procedure

Avoid / Discontinue These Medications

Two weeks before either your surgical or injectable procedure(s), avoid the following:

  • Avoid aspirin (including daily baby aspirin) and Ibuprofen/NSAIDs (e.g., Advil, Aleve, Motrin and Nuprin, Meloxicam). These medications interfere with blood clotting and will increase both your bleeding during your procedure(s) and post-operative bruising.. You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain as necessary.
  • Avoid vitamin E. Please wait at least two weeks after your procedure to take Vitamin E supplements. Please note that Vitamin E is contained in many multi-vitamins. You do not have to stop your multi-vitamin containing vitamin E.
  • Avoid herbal supplements (e.g., echinacea, ephedra, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, goldenseal, kava-kava, licorice, saw palmetto, St. John’s wort and valerian). These supplements have been shown to inhibit the clotting and healing process.

Also AVOID

  • Smoking
  • Alcohol
  • Sun exposure (especially for laser skin resurfacing procedures)

Start Doing These Things

 

  • Begin taking vitamin C. If you are not one of the few people who are sensitive to Vitamin C, please take 2,000 MG per day beginning two weeks before your scheduled procedure. If you smoke, please take 4,000 MG per day. You can divide the daily amount into one morning dose and one evening dose.
  • Begin taking Arnica Montana. Studies have show the benefits of homeopathic Arnica Montana in reducing common post-surgery bruising. This natural supplement is available for purchase in our office and at most health food stores.
  • Begin applying sunscreen. Please protect your skin from the sun by wearing a hat and/or sunscreen (at least SPF 30) before and after your surgery.

Things to Discuss with Us

  • Acne-related antibiotics. If you have acne or a tendency toward cyclical facial pimples, please tell us so we can discuss the right course of pre-operative antibiotics.
  • Allergy-related medications. If you suffer from nasal allergies, please tell us so we can discuss the right course of anti-allergic medication.
  • Diabetes or hypoglycemia. Please notify your us if you are diabetic or hypoglycemic. For your safety, we want to make sure these conditions are properly controlled prior to your surgery. We will follow your doctor’s instructions, so please be sure to discuss your scheduled procedure with your internist.
  • Blood pressure problems or heart problems. If you are experiencing any type of problem related to your blood pressure or your heart, please tell us so we can follow your doctor’s instructions. We recommend that you undergo a general physical examination at least two weeks prior to your scheduled procedure; for some procedures, this type of examination is required before we can clear you for surgery.
  • Blood Thinners (anticoagulants). If you are taking  an oral mediation such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), rivaroxaban (Xarelto) or Clopidogrel (Plavix), or are receiving injections of enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin) or fondaparinux (Arixtra) please inform us immediately.
  • Diuretics (water pills), steroids or Accutane. If you have taken diuretics, steroids or Accutane during the past year, or if you are taking any of these now, please tell us so we can plan accordingly.
  • Your routine medications. Please be sure to tell us about any medications you take regularly.
  • Your allergies. If you are allergic to any medications, please tell us so we can plan accordingly.
  • Illnesses. If you are developing a cold, chest congestion, nasal stuffiness, fever or an infection near the surgery site, please tell us immediately.
  • Pregnancy. Please tell us if you are pregnant.
  • Accommodations. You must remain in the Atlanta metropolitan area for at least 7-10 days following your surgery depending on the procedure(s) you have had. We are happy to help you make arrangements if you do not have a local residence.

Having Surgery in Our Marietta Office?

Do wash with an antibacterial soap the night prior to or the morning of your surgery. Wear comfortable clothing and a loose fitting shirt that does not pull over the head.

Please eat a light breakfast for morning procedures or a light lunch for afternoon procedures and take your prescribed antibiotics one hour prior to your scheduled procedure. If you have been prescribed Xanax or Valium, you can not drive yourself home and you must be accompanied by an adult. Bring all other medication, including your Xanax or Valium, with you to our office.

Having Surgery in an Outpatient Surgical Facility or Hospital?

Do Not

  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight prior to the morning of your surgery.
  • Do not wear makeup, lotions or perfume to surgery.
  • Do not wear fingernail polish to surgery.
  • Do not plan to drive yourself to or from the procedure.
  • Do not wear jewelry.
  • Do not bring valuables.

Do

  • Do wash with an antibacterial soap the night prior to or the morning of your surgery.
  • Do arrive at the surgical facility on time.
  • Do arrange for transportation to and from the procedure.
  • Do wear loose fitting clothes that you do not need to pull over your head in order to put on or take off.
  • Do have a parent or guardian accompany you if you are under the age of 18.
  • Do leave your valuables at home, but bring your ID and method of payment.
  • If you wear artificial fingernails, please do remove the fingernail on the index finger of your right hand so that we may attach the monitoring equipment properly.

Feel free to call our office if you have any questions or concerns before or after your surgery.