General Pre-Operative Care Instructions

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons Serving Denver & Lone Tree, Colorado

In an effort to prepare you for your upcoming procedure, we've created a list of general pre-operative and post-operative guidelines for you. You will receive a very specific set of pre-operative guidelines at your pre-operative visit with us, but we provide these just to help you adequately prepare ahead of time. Your nurse will go over all the instructions with you and your loved ones, and you'll receive a copy to have at home, too.

Filling your prescriptions

We have partnered with Capsule Pharmacy to make filling your prescriptions as easy as possible.  Capsule is a pharmacy that delivers your prescriptions, the same day, for free—all from your phone. We will prescribe you necessary prescriptions and then you can arrange the date/time that they will be delivered to your home! If you love it, you can use this pharmacy for all of your prescriptions, and manage it all from your phone.

Pre-Operative Guidelines for Plastic Surgery Patients

At Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery, we recommend that you adhere to the following pre-operative guidelines:

  • STOP SMOKING AT LEAST 1 MONTH PRIOR TO SURGERY and at least 2 weeks AFTER surgery. Smoking reduces circulation to the skin, impedes healing, and can lead to major postoperative complications.
  • DISCONTINUE MEDICATIONS CONTAINING aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, blood-thinners, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, fish oil, omega 3, and ALL herbal supplements at least 1-2 weeks prior to and 1 week after surgery. These medications can cause prolonged bleeding. TYLENOL is safe to take just before and after surgery, if needed, because it is not blood thinning.
  • REPORT ANY SIGN OF A COLD OR INFECTION that appear the week prior to your surgery. You may need to postpone your procedure to avoid unnecessary complications.
  • FILL YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS BEFORE YOUR DAY OF SURGERY and keep them at your bedside at home along with a notepad to help keep track of the medications you have taken. Expect some forgetfulness up to 36 hours post-op and during narcotic use. Also, have food in your stomach before you take your medications to minimize any nausea. DO NOT drive or drink alcohol when taking narcotic pain medication.
  • BRING YOUR PAIN MEDICATION WITH YOU on the day of surgery so that the nurse can verify your medications and administer them, if needed.
  • IF YOU ARE PRONE TO NAUSEA OR MOTION SICKNESS, let your physician know. Routine anti-nausea medications will be given through your IV in the operating room to prevent nausea. Antibiotics, steroids for swelling, and pain medications may be administered as well before you wake up from surgery. If necessary, medications can also be prescribed to prevent nausea at home.
  • CONSTIPATION IS NORMAL FOLLOWING SURGERY. General anesthesia slows down the gastrointestinal tract and narcotic pain medication increases the likelihood of constipation. It is okay to take a stool softener (such as over-the-counter Colace) or fiber bulkers (such as Metamucil or Fibercon) following surgery. Drink lots of water and be sure to eat a well-balanced diet including fruits and vegetables the days before and after surgery.
  • WOMEN MAY EXPERIENCE A CHANGE IN THEIR FIRST MENSTRUAL CYCLE FOLLOWING SURGERY. It may be lighter and shorter. Menstrual irregularity usually lasts just one cycle.
  • DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED SURGERY.You may have clear liquids (7-up, Gatorade, apple juice or water) up to 4 hours prior to your arrival time to help prevent post-op nausea and vomiting. The only other exception is that you may take your blood pressure and/or heart medications as directed.
  • ARRANGE FOR A RESPONSIBLE ADULT TO TAKE YOU HOME AND STAY WITH YOU FOR 24 HOURS after surgery. Although everyone heals differently and has varied pain thresholds, expect some soreness, fatigue, mood swings and some fogginess for a minimum of 1 week post-op. Swelling and bruising typically peak at day 4-5 post-op during the normal healing process. Arrange childcare if possible, and plan to be off work until you are feeling better and your doctor says it is safe to resume your activities.
  • PLEASE HAVE ANY NECESSARY PRE-OP BLOOD TESTS OR EKG RESULTS FAXED TO OUR OFFICE AT 303-790-7322 ASAP. We should receive your test results at least 1-2 days before surgery.
  • PLEASE CALL IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. We are all here to make your surgical experience as comfortable as possible.

Warning About Blood Thinning Medications

Blood-thinning products can cause excessive bleeding during and after surgery. Both prescription and over the counter medications can have blood-thinning properties. If you currently take any of the medications or herbal preparations listed below, make sure you discontinue use 1 to 2 weeks prior to your procedure. Remember this is only a partial list. If you have any questions, please contact your local pharmacist.

If you were told by a doctor to take a blood-thinning medicine on a regular basis for stroke or heart attack prevention, severe arthritis, atrial fibrillation, or a prosthetic heart valve, ask your surgeon when this medicine should be discontinued.

Read the labels on all the medications that you take on a regular basis. Many products contain Aspirin (ASA or acetylsalicylic acid) and must be stopped 7 to 14 days prior to surgery.

Read the label on any new medications you take during the 14 days prior to your surgery. Many headache, cough, and cold remedies contain Aspirin (ASA or acetylsalicylic acid) and should not be used.

Below is a list of medications that must be stopped for the 7 to 14 days before surgery:

  • Aspirin (ASA or Acetylsalicylic Acid)
  • Ticlid
  • Coumadin
  • Garlic
  • Gingko
  • Ginseng
  • Heparin
  • Ibuprofen
  • Lovenox
  • Naproxen
  • Plavix
  • St. John's Wort
  • Vitamin E

If you need pain, headache, cough, or cold medicine during the 7 to 14 days prior to surgery, you may take products containing Acetaminophen (Tylenol).

The Day of Your Surgery

Keep the following tips in mind for the day of your procedure:

  • PLAN TO WEAR LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING (such as a jogging suit) and easy on/off shoes. A top with front zipper closure or buttons works well if you are having upper body surgery. Pants with an elastic waistband also work well, as you will be drowsy following surgery.
  • DO NOT WEAR ANY MAKE-UP, JEWELRY, OR BRING VALUABLES on the day of surgery. You may wear socks in the operating room and wear underwear IF it does not interfere with your surgical site and your physician approves. Please remove all JEWELRY prior to your surgery, including, but not limited to rings, watches, earrings, nose piercings, tongue piercings, and naval piercings. If this is not possible, you must discuss with your surgeon.
  • BRING YOUR PAIN MEDICATION WITH YOU on the day of surgery, so that the nurse can verify your medications and administer, if needed.
  • YOU WILL BE ASKED TO CHANGE INTO A GOWN. Your surgeon will mark the surgical site and your anesthesiologist will have you sign a consent form for anesthesia. You will have the opportunity to ask any last minute requests.
  • AN IV WILL BE STARTED IN YOUR HAND OR FOREARM in the pre-op area and a nurse will accompany you in the operating room throughout your surgery.
  • ONCE YOU'RE IN THE OPERATING ROOM you will be asked to lie on the table. The anesthesiologist will give you medication through your I.V. to relax you as soon as you are lying down. These medications also help you to forget being in the operating room.
  • MONITORS AND EQUIPMENT will be applied to your body. This may include a blood pressure cuff on your arm, a pulse oximeter on your finger, 3 EKG pads on your torso, SCD pressure stockings to your calves (to reduce blood clots), and a grounding pad to your thigh (for surgical electro-cautery machine).
  • YOU WILL DRIFT OFF TO SLEEP VERY COMFORTABLY. A tube will be placed in your throat AFTER you are asleep and will be removed BEFORE you wake up. The only awareness you may have of the tube could be a sore, scratchy throat following surgery. If your surgery is planned for more than 3 hours, you may also have a FOLEY CATHETER in your bladder. This will also be inserted AFTER you are asleep and removed before you wake up. You should be able to urinate normally after its removal.
  • YOU WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE RECOVERY ROOM ON A BED and can expect to stay for another 1-1.5 hours. Most patients are fully awake with 15-60 minutes after surgery, but may not remember much due to the anesthetic drugs. You will be released when your vital signs are stable and your nausea, bleeding, and pain are minimal. A nurse will be with you while you are recovering.
  • YOU AND A RESPONSIBLE ADULT WILL BE GIVEN SPECIFIC DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS, necessary supplies, and a 1 week post-op appointment. Ask questions anytime.
  • MOST IMPORTANTLY, REMEMBER TO LISTEN TO YOUR BODY…Rest when you feel pain or fatigue. BE PATIENT with the healing process, and remember you may have good and bad days.

Complimentary Cosmetic Consultation

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Office Hours

Monday-Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm
Saturday-Sunday: Closed

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