Preparing For Liposuction
You've Scheduled Your Appointment - Now What!?
Now is the time for you to have second thoughts, run around looking for supplies, experience anxiety and have your life in an emotional upheaval. For many, this is a very stressful time - but it doesn't have to be. It is perfectly natural for you to be freaking out now that surgery is a few weeks away. Just following the advice composed with the help of real patients and things will go much more smoothly.
The Pre-Operative Appointment
If you schedule a surgery date you will more than likely schedule a pre-operative visit appointment, as well. This will entail another trip to the surgeon's office or an independent lab for bloodwork to check your red and white blood cell counts (a CBC test), among other things. And please quit smoking now. It will highly reduce your risk of necrotic tissue. Do not take any chances with this. Smoking and a surgery like this can significantly alter your body's ability to re-vascularize the treatment area and not heal well at all. This is your life.
You will also be given (or should be given) a list of medications that you must cease or avoid taking. These medications will mostly be aspirin-containing products and supplements that may inhibit clot formation or cause problems with anesthesia. However medications which may cause clotting (such as Vitamin K) may be prohibited - do ask your surgeon. Please visit the Medication & Supplement List page for more information or Click Here to view a Printable List of Medications To Avoid.
You will also be given a list of things to buy or have around you in your healing room. Things like frozen peas, raspberries or blueberries for icing you down to ease the swelling and bruising. You may be asked to buy antibacterial soap, perhaps Hibiclens, or it will be given to you for cleansing a few days before surgery (to kill Staph and other surface bacteria). Some surgeons simply suggest Dial antibacterial soap. You will usually get gauze, "maxi-pads" and other types of dressings to tend to your incision areas. We have provided a list for your convenience below or you may click the link for a printable version to have on hand.
Making Your Home Post-op Proof
You've probably heard of "child proofing" but post-op proofing? This is the act of preparing your home for your recovery. Please utilize the following tips to better prepare you to an unfrazzled and more comfortable recovery...
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Pre-op Proofing Your Recovery Area
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Pre-op Shopping
All of the above suggestions and products you should buy may be overwhelming at first so print out our helpful shopping list to help you with your pre-op woes.
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Liposuction Pre-operative Shopping ListOf course not all of the below is needed - it is only provided for ideas and for general convenience. Many of you may have a majority of the below items.I have also added blank spaces for items that you may want or need that we have not thought of. Pharmacy/Online:
Grocery Store:
Department Store or Other:
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Post-operative Appointment List
The below list will help you prepare and remember what you may wish to speak to your surgeon about post-operatively.
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Post-operative Appointment Check ListPost-operative Appointments are for the surgeon to gauge your progress and assess any further needs you may have to improve your results or experience and for you to share your thoughts, express concerns or simply gush with happiness about your outcome. Here are some tips you may find useful to help you prepare for these appointments and get you through them. Hopefully you will have determined the cost issues of future post-operative check ups. Prepare your thoughts and go over any concerns or comments you'd like to make known about the below issues:
Don't be afraid to discuss any concerns you may have or any dissatisfaction you may be feeling. Just be sure that you knew that you are still healing and will continue to heal for several months before you can judge your outcome. Some complications or undesirable attributes can be seen within a few days or weeks whereas some may take a few months. Please see our Liposuction4You.com Message Board for support from real liposuction patients who have had or are presently experiencing similar feelings. Notes:____________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ |
What to Look For & What to Do In Case of a Complication
Be prepared! and stay calm - here is a list which tells you what to look for and what to do in case anything unexpected happens.
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What to Look For & What to Do In Case of a ComplicationPlease contact your surgeon or the on-call physician immediately if you notice any of the following:
Please contact your surgeon or the on-call physician AND go to the emergency room as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
What to do in case of a complication:
Emergency Numbers: Surgeon: __________________________________________ |
Swelling & Bruising Recommendations
Want help in the swelling and bruising department? Maybe some Arnica montana or Bromelain Some patients even drink pineapple juice. Please read those sections for more information and always ask your surgeon before taking any medication or homeopathic remedy.