Pre-Surgery Patient Care
Schedule A ConsultationYou have an important mission to accomplish before surgery: prepare your life to be as simple as possible for six weeks. Recovery takes strength and patience, so treat yourself during this time. The following guidelines contain suggestions on how to do that, as well as crucial details to ensure your recovery is safe, smooth, and speedy.
Review Patient Resources
As you prepare your mind, body, and space for your surgery, it’s a good idea to review our patient education resources. Knowing what to expect will make recovery that much easier. Recommended materials include:
- Pre-Operative Instructions
- Post-Operative Instructions
- Healing Body and Mind
- How to Minimize Scars
- Homeopathic Medicine
Medications
Be sure to review our page on medications to avoid. Fill any prescriptions your surgeon has provided prior to surgery.
A note on Ozempic: If you are using Ozempic, semaglutide medication, tirzepatide medication, or any similar medicine, you MUST stop taking it at least one week before surgery. These medications are dangerous for surgery patients. Let Dr. Hochstein know if you are on this medication so he can give you specific instructions tailored to your procedure.
Personal Needs
Take care of as many errands as possible before surgery day so that you can rest and relax when you get home. Some suggestions:
- Pay bills
- Pick up prescriptions
- Pick up dry cleaning
- Buy pet food
- Fill your car’s gas tank
- Get your hair and nails done (though acrylics and colored nail polish are unadvised)
Prepare Your Space
Gather Supplies
Bring things you’ll need down from shelves so you won’t strain yourself after surgery (this is especially important if you are having a breast augmentation). Some items you may want to purchase to have on hand include:
- Lip balm, eye drops, throat lozenges, or throat spray
- Skin moisturizer
- Sunblock
- Shower cap and baby shampoo (for face or scalp surgery)
- Heating pad
- No-spill cups
- Extra pillows
Meal Preparation
Purchase groceries and household supplies in advance. Prepare single-serving meals and freeze them for easy use. Also, consider stocking up on microwave dinners and juice boxes. This will be extremely helpful while you are healing and unable to cook.
Another popular option among patients is meal delivery services. Sign up in advance to have ready-made meals delivered to your door.
Clean
Clean the house so you won’t have to contend with it when you’re feeling down. Most people feel better with pain medication, which can bring out the cleaning bug in all of us. Remember, this is your time to heal and is not a good time to clean. It is best if done beforehand.
Complete outstanding chores, like laundry and dishes. Clean your bathroom, change your sheets, mop and vacuum floors, and clear the trash bins. Don’t forget to water the plants. You deserve to come home to a clean house post-surgery.
Create a Recovery Space
Prepare your home by creating a cozy and comfortable recovery zone. You may want this space to be located on the main floor of your home. Make your lounge area extra comfy with lots of pillows. Have surfaces nearby for easy access to water, lotion, lip balm, and the TV remote.
Entertainment
Plan to binge a show you’ve been saving. Or, get a new book to read or make a list of movies you’ve been meaning to watch. Stock up with entertainment to keep you busy and help you pass the time.
Treat Yourself
If you are having a cosmetic procedure such as a tummy tuck or a full Mommy Makeover, you should be well-informed and well-prepared for the post-operative period. Careful planning can make a huge difference in your recovery.
Pillows
Have plenty of pillows on hand, as you will need to sleep in an elevated position for the first few days to avoid swelling. This is also important if you’ve just had a breast augmentation. You want the implants to stay in a perfect position during the initial healing process.
Adjustable Bed
To maximize your comfort during your recovery, why not treat yourself by purchasing an adjustable bed? This will make it easier to get in and out of bed, and you can adjust the bed to the optimum angle of elevation.
Recliner Rental
You could also consider renting a recliner for extra comfort and support as you rest during the day. Dr. Hochstein and his team can recommend specific models for you to consider.
Form a Support System
Transportation
You will need to arrange for transportation for the day of surgery and your follow-up appointment. Anticipate that you will not be able to drive for 4-5 days or while you are on pain medication.
Friend or Caregiver
You must have a friend or family member watch you during your first night after surgery (this is mandatory). This person should be able to refresh your ice packs as needed, give you fluids, prepare your food, check on you throughout the night, and most importantly, recognize if there are any problems and contact your doctor in case of an emergency.
If you don’t have anyone available, you can always arrange for a nurse or tech to take care of you. Call our office, and we will arrange for a caregiver to care for you at your house or hotel.
Child and Pet Care
If you have children, it would be a good idea to arrange for someone to take care of them for at least 24–48 hours. You will not be able to pick them up and care for them in the way they’ve become accustomed to.
This goes for pets as well. Additionally, it may be a good idea to keep pets separate from your recovery area.
Emotional Support
It is normal to be afraid, nervous, or concerned about having surgery. Here at Dr. Hochstein’s office, we encourage our patients to ask a lot of questions until they feel confident not only in Dr. Hochstein but his staff as well.
Emotional support is essential when having plastic surgery, and oftentimes, family and friends have a hard time providing the support that’s needed due to a lack of understanding. Often, people don’t understand how important this surgery is to you, nor do they know how to deal with your feelings about your upcoming surgery. Because plastic surgery is elective and it is cosmetic, friends and family can become complacent, not realizing how important it is that you have their support at this time. Also, friends and family may have your best interest at heart but may not have the right information to help you along your journey.
Remember, this may be the only surgery you ever have, but here at Dr. Hochstein’s office, we go through this with patients every day, so it is imperative to us that you feel comfortable and supported every step of the way. With this in mind, we will do our very best to make sure your journey is not only a success but that you receive all the emotional support you need.
Day Before Surgery
Model
In the days before surgery, you’ll want to ensure you have everything packed and ready to go. Take a nice shower the night before or the morning of surgery since you won’t be able to shower for a while after surgery.
Expect a Phone Call
Our office will be calling you between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to go over your surgery times and remind you of all the Dos and Don’ts. Also, our Anesthesiologist will be calling to go over a few things to prepare you for anesthesia.
Jewelry
Don’t bring your valuables or wear any jewelry (no rings, earrings, chains, toe rings, watches, or other metal piercings, such as tongue and nose rings). This can interfere with anesthesia.
If you have a body piercing that cannot be removed, please contact the office to find out what your options are; it may be able to be taped.
What to Bring
If you wear contacts, remove them on the morning of surgery. Wear your glasses instead. It’s also a good idea to bring the eyeglass case to store them while you’re in surgery.
Wear comfortable clothing. We suggest dark, loose-fitting clothes that you do not need to put over your head. The best clothes are button-up or zip-up tops and pull-on pants. The velour pants and hooded sports suits from Victoria’s Secret or Juicy Couture are perfect. Also, slip-on shoes are ideal.
Warm socks are also nice because the operating room is cold, and most people feel chilly after the anesthesia.
If you have long hair, bring a hair clip or scrunchie for after surgery. Scrunchies work the best because they are soft, easy to use, and tend to be more comfortable than elastic hair ties.
Sunglasses and a big, soft, floppy hat are a good idea for patients who are having a facelift or eyelid surgery. Just make sure that the hat is loose-fitting and made of soft materials (not straw). This is your chance to feel like a movie star.
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For the First Few Days
Stay away from foods that contain a lot of salt and MSG. This could upset your stomach and cause you to retain water.
Focus on rest. Don’t exert yourself. Let someone else you trust keep track of your medication schedule.
Drink plenty of water and get bed rest!