The following pre-operative instructions are given for your benefit. It is necessary that you follow these instructions closely in order to ensure that you derive the best possible result from your surgery. If for some reason you are unable to follow the instructions, please call our office as soon as possible. Feel free to call us with any questions you may have regarding these instructions for your upcoming surgery.
1. You may be required to see your primary care physician for a pre-operative History and Physical.
2. You may be given a prescription for an antibiotic. Begin taking this the day before surgery, and continue this until all the medication has been taken. Do not take these the morning of your surgery.
3. Do not take any blood thinning products or supplements such as garlic, ginkgo biloba, fish oil,
4. Do not take aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) products or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as anacin, Buffering, Emprin, Excedrin, Ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, Nuprin, Meloxicam, Mobic, etc.
Panadol or Tylenol, if your health permits, may be used instead of these medications. Consult your primary care doctor if you are unsure. Medication for arthritis or back pain may need to be discontinued prior to surgery.
Any medication taken within a two-week period prior to surgery, including over the counter products, must be approved by Dr. Farbod.
5. No alcoholic beverages for at least 72 hours prior to surgery.
6. Patients who smoke should discontinue smoking one month prior to surgery and for 4-6 weeks following surgery.
7. You should not have a permanent or hair coloring within 10 days prior to surgery and for six weeks following surgery.
Women who wear their hair short and are having a facelift procedure should not have their hair cut within 4 weeks of surgery.
8. Avoid the use of tanning beds, sun lamps and overexposure to the sun for at least one week prior to surgery.
9. Wash your hair and scrub your face and neck thoroughly the night before surgery with the antimicrobial soap that you were prescribed. Patients who are to have hair transplant or facelift surgery should wash their hair the morning of the surgery as well. Men should shave closely the day of surgery, particularly in the upper lip area. Men with mustaches do not need to remove the mustache unless instructed by Dr. Farbod. Do not apply anything to your hair after it is washed.
10. On the day of surgery, do not have makeup, false eyelashes, wigs, hairpieces, and jewelry.
11. Overnight patients need to have someone bring them to the surgery site the morning of surgery, and pick them up the following morning. Full instructions will be given to you by the hospital the day before surgery.
12. You may want to bring a scarf, sunglasses, or other articles to cover your dressings when you leave the surgery site.
13. Please contact us immediately for instructions if you develop a cold, sore throat, fever blisters, or any skin eruptions on the face.
14. Please notify us immediately if you should need to postpone your surgery so that we may fill the vacancy in our surgery schedule.
Should you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to call our office. We are here to help you every step of the way and want to make your experience and recovery as comfortable as possible!