WHAT I WISHI KNEW:PREPPING FOR PLASTICSURGERY RECOVERY

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As you prepare for plastic surgery and recovery, there are a number of things that you'll need to know. Some of the most important things -- for example those little things that will make your life easier after surgery -- shouldn't be overlooked. To make sure you've prepared as fully as possible for a smooth surgical procedure and recovery, this ebook has been created. You'll also find a lot of useful information about your specific surgery in the "Procedures" section and on the blog on the Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery website. Here is "What I Wish I Knew: Prepping for Plastic Surgery Recovery."

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• Stop smoking. This should be done a minimum of one month before your surgery.

There are several things that you can do prior to the surgery to help make the recovery smoother. Guidelines to follow before surgery include:

BEFORE YOUR SURGERY: THE TIME TO STARTPREPPING FOR A SMOOTH RECOVERY

• Discontinue medications as recommended by your surgeon. This typically includes aspirin and all NSAID medications, both prescription and non- prescription. Vitamin E and other natural supplements should also be discontinued. Your doctor will review a list of your medications in the weeks prior to your surgery and may tell you to discontinue other drugs as well.

• Fill all prescriptions from Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery. Doing this prior to your surgery means that you'll have immediate access when you need them, avoiding last minute pharmacy trips.

• Arrange for your caregiver. A caregiver can be any friend, family member, or loved one who's able to stay with you for at least the first 24 hours post-surgery. Your caregiver will also be the person who will take you to the hospital for surgery and then take you home after surgery.

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• Arrange for time off from work. The recommended recovery time varies by procedure and patient. Your surgeon will give you an idea of how much recovery time to expect. It's better to take a few extra days off rather than trying to go back to work too early.

• Prepare for your home recovery. This includes cleaning the home, putting fresh sheets on the bed, washing the dishes and flatware, and stocking up on bottled water and food to eat after surgery (soft foods like pudding and cottage cheese are often best in early recovery.) Have a basket or container for medication, gauze, ointment, and other necessary supplies near the bed.

• Line up some entertainment. You'll be laying (partially elevated) in bed or a comfy chair during early recovery, and you'll be moving around the home periodically. To alleviate boredom, gather up all those books you've been meaning to read. Place all of your electronic devices in one place, next to the bed. Don't forget to have the chargers easily accessible, as well.

• Don't neglect mental prep. Start to get yourself in the right mindset in the weeks ahead of the surgery. Remind yourself of the reason you're having the surgery, and stay focused on those. Also, remind yourself that achieving your goals does require some level of challenge. Recovery isn't instantaneous, but it ’s worth it because you'll get the results you want.

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THE DAY OF SURGERYThe big day is finally here! While you've already done plenty of prep, there areseveral things you should make sure to do before you go in for surgery. Use this checklist to make sure you're covered.

Make sure you haven't consumed any food or liquid since 12:00 am (midnight.) Bathe or shower with antiseptic soap this morning.Don't apply deodorant, perfume, nail polish, hair products, or makeup after showering.Make sure that you didn't take any of the medications that you've been told to discontinue.Verify that your caregiver will take you to surgery, take you home after surgery, and stay with you for at least 24 hours.Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Button-front shirts, pull-on pants, and flat shoes are best.Make sure to remove contact lenses and jewelry (including piercings.)Make sure that your driver 's license, proof of insurance are in your wallet and easily accessible.Put a pillow and blanket in the car to help you get comfortable on the ride home.

Make sure that you're traveling home in the right vehicle. A monster truck that requires you to jump in isn't a good choice after surgery, but you can probably get in and out of most cars or smaller SUVs without a problem.

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AFTER SURGERYAfter your surgery, there are a couple of very common questions that patientsask. First, patients want to know how long they have to rest. The answer is usually 24 hours. For the first full day, you'll likely be tired and woozy from anesthesia and pain medicine. Rest as much as you can during this time, but be sure to elevate properly as recommended by your doctor. After that, you can start moving around -- and in fact, it 's encouraged to walk around the home, as it helps with healing.

Another common question is "how long until I can shower?" We usually tell patients that they can shower in 24-48 hours. Use great care to protect your surgical site while showering -- no rubbing, scrubbing, or otherwise agitating the healing skin.

Many patients ask about what 's normal and what 's a problem after surgery. While you can expect to have a mild fever, pain, bleeding, swelling, and bruising, here are the signs that there may be an issue.

• A fever over 101°F• Excessive bleeding that won't stop• Excessive swelling • Dramatic discoloration at the surgical site• Extreme pain, even when taking pain medicine

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• Constipation: Constipation is a normal side effect of surgery. You can use a stool softener to help.

If any of these things occur, call Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery right away for support and guidance.

• Menstrual Cycle Changes: Some women have a change in their menstrual cycle after surgery. It is not unusual for your period to arrive as much as two weeks early or two weeks late.

• Skin Peeling: It is normal for your skin to peel after surgery. This may cause some itchiness. Skin peeling is the natural result of the skin being tightly stretched during the surgery.

• Special Garments: For many plastic surgeries, you'll need to wear special• garments during recovery. For example, after breast augmentation or other

breast surgery, you'll need to wear a compression garment and then transition into a wire-free sports bra. For abdominal procedures like a tummy tuck, you'll need to wear a girdle style compression garment. You'll usually need to wear this garment at all times for at least several weeks. Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery will give you specific guidelines for the use of post-surgery garments.

There are also some things about the post-surgery period that aren't as well known. These include:

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Drs. Peter Butler, Jocelyn Leveque, and Nathan Patterson are all board-certified plastic surgeons, with more than 50 years of combined experience.

Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery is the largest and most comprehensive plastic surgery practice serving Pensacola and the entire Gulf Coast area. In addition

to being the Gulf Coast's breast augmentation specialists, Drs. Leveque, Patterson, and Butler also have expertise in the areas of tummy tuck,

liposuction, facelift, brow lift, eyelid surgery, and most other types of plastic surgery.

All of us at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery are committed to providing you with excellent care and superior results. Whether your surgery is a simple one or a more complex one, the award-winning surgeons and staff at Gulf Coast Plastic

Surgery welcome the opportunity to be of service to you.

Request a consultation below or call 850-476-3223 to get started.

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