Pre Operative Facial Surgery Instructions

Preparing for Surgery / Starting Now

History & Physical: A detailed History & Physical (H&P) is required for all patients receiving facial cosmetic surgery.  An H&P is a more detailed medical and family history and a physical exam.  This appointment is made 2 weeks prior to your surgery.

 Laboratory tests & EKG: Depending on your surgery, anesthesia, and medical history, certain laboratory tests are required prior to surgery.   These tests must be completed at least 7 days prior to your scheduled surgery or your surgery will be canceled.  A lab or your primary physician can perform the requested tests.   You can expect to receive a separate bill from the facility in which these services were performed.  Should the labs tests indicate that you are not a candidate for surgery, there will be no refund for these tests, but your surgical scheduling deposit can be refunded.  In addition, if you are having a procedure related to pathology (a mole, lesion or mass removed), the specimen will be sent to a pathology lab for review and you will receive a bill from that lab. 

 It is recommended you Stop Smoking and Alcohol intake 2 weeks Prior to Surgery:  Smoking and alcohol reduces circulation to the skin and impedes healing. 

Take Multivitamins and eat a balanced diet:  Start taking multivitamins containing iron and zinc daily beginning two weeks prior to surgery to improve your general health once you have scheduled your surgery.  Proper nutrition is essential for correct healing.

Please advise the surgeon of all medications you are currently taking.  Because of their potential adverse reactions: ASPIRIN (Ibuprofen, Advil, Excedrin, Aleve, etc.) VITAMIN E, BLOOD THINNERS, DIET PILLS, ST. JOHNS WORT, GINKGO BILOBA, OILS (Fish or Flaxseed etc…)  or any HERB should NOT be taken for 14 days, before surgery. With these exceptions, medications that are ordinarily taken should be taken with a sip of water the day of surgery, unless otherwise instructed by the doctor (eg. Blood pressure medication should still be taken). The only pain medication that should be used is PLAIN TYLENOL. A herbal medication known as Arnica Montana has been shown to potentially decrease bruising and  swelling after surgery. This can be purchased from most health food stores. These can be taken as directed usually starting prior to surgery.   Tablets can be taken 3x per day for one week, beginning two days prior to surgery.

If you are having skin resurfacing it is recommended you start taking your skin conditioning system for at least 3 weeks prior to surgery, and discontinue 4 days before your procedure, then continue for at least 6 weeks after your surgery.  

Fill your prescriptions:  You will be given prescriptions for medications and possible other items.  Please have them filled BEFORE the day of surgery and bring them with you.

For Female Patients: While taking antibiotics and possible other medicines, birth control pills may become ineffective, so precautions should be used during the month that you are taking antibiotics.  The pill may even predispose you to blood clots in your leg veins following surgery, therefore you may also want to consider temporary discontinuation 2 weeks prior to surgery. You may continue to take your birth control pills after surgery but the pills may be ineffective up to a month after surgery. I understand that I should consult with my family physician to initiate other forms of birth control during the period of my treatment for until my physician advises me that I can return to the exclusive use of birth control pills.

Please keep in mind we are estimating the amount of time we need for your surgery and recovery.  You may be at our office longer then anticipated.  Keep this in mind while arranging your ride to our office.

The day before surgery

Confirm Surgery Time:  We will call you to confirm the time of your surgery.  If you are not going to be at home or at your office, please call us.

Prescriptions:  Make sure that you have filled the prescriptions you were given and set the medications out to bring with you tomorrow.

Cleansing: Patients are instructed to wash their entire body thoroughly with Soapthe night before and the morning of scheduled surgery. Please DO NOT apply any deodorant or perfume as this

may interfere with your surgical preparation.

Eating and Drinking: The patient CANNOT have anything to eat or to drink including mints/candy or chewing gum after midnight before surgery.  The patient may have small sips of water for necessary medications prior to surgery.

The Morning of Surgery

Eating and Drinking: The patient CANNOT have anything to eat or to drink including mints/candy or chewing gum after midnight before surgery. The patient may have small sips of water for necessary daily medications prior to surgery.

Contacts should not be worn on the day of surgery.

Oral Hygiene:  You may brush your teeth but do not swallow the water.

Cleansing:  Shower and wash the surgical areas again with soap.

Make-Up:  Please do not wear moisturizers, creams, lotions, or make-up.

Clothing:  For IV Sedation and General Anesthesia-Please wear loose clothing. Something casual that buttons up the front and/or can be slipped over your head easily, jogging outfits, or robe-type dresses are ideal. Flat comfortable shoes should also be worn (no slip-on shoes).

 No Jewelry should be worn the day of surgery. Please inform us if you are unable to remove a ring or other jewelry. All valuables should be left at home. We will not be held responsible for lost personal items.

 Please remove nail polish off both index fingers prior to surgery. Anesthesia

cannot be administered if you have a severe cold or sinus infection with

excessive drainage. If you develop any of these problems prior to your

appointment, please call the office so that we can reschedule your surgery.

You should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes earlier than your scheduled surgery time.  A responsible adult must accompany the patient  to the planned surgical procedure.  A responsible person must also  be able to drive and accompany the patient home since the patient will for at least be at least 24 hours after the anesthesia or sedation.

The Operating Suite

Going to the operating room is not a normal experience for most of us.  Dr. Caldemeyer and all of the professional staff caring for you recognize the natural anxiety with which most patients approach this step in the process of achieving their goals.  We believe a description of the surgery experience will help.

When you arrive at our office, you will be escorted to the surgery suite.  You will be asked to change into a gown and robe and will be given foot covers.  Dr. Caldemeyer will meet with you after you enter the operating suite.  This is the time for final surgical planning;  it is also when we will do basic preparation or draw on your skin as needed.  There will be time for last minute questions.

Once you enter the operating room, the staff will do everything they can to make you feel secure.  To ensure your safety, our staff will connect you to monitoring devices.  We will then start an intravenous drip in your arm and start your sedation.  Medicines that will make you drowsy will flow through the tubing into a vein in your arm. 

The Recovery Room

When your surgery has been completed and your dressings are in place, you will be moved to the recovery room.  You will be connected to monitoring equipment constantly.   During this period, a fully trained recovery room  assistant  will take care of you and remain with you at all times.  The recovery room  is equipped just like one in a hospital.

Your stay in the recovery room will last from 1 to 4 hours, depending on how soon you are ready to leave.  Most patients are fully awake within 30-60 minutes after surgery but may not remember much about their stay in the recovery room.

Post Surgery Arrangements

At Home:  You must arrange for someone to bring you to and drive you home from the surgery center.  Either a family member, a friend, or a nurse must remain with you the first night after surgery because you will have been sedation.