A List of General Guidelines The Maryland Institute of Plastic Surgery recommends:
1. Please avoid the following medications for two weeks prior to your procedure..
- Advil, Alleve, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naprosyn
- Herbal supplements
- High dose vitamins.
2. It is fine to take tylenol prior to the procedure as it does not increase risk of bleeding.
3. For procedures requiring general anesthesia or IV sedation
- Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery.
- Please take your medications as recommended by the preoperative staff prior to the procedure.
- A family member or a friend needs to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours.
4. No significant requirements for local anesthesia (no sedation or IV medications)
5. Showers can be taken two days after the procedures even with drains. Drains can be attached to lanyards or chains with safety pins during the shower.
6. Drains are usually removed when drainage is less than 30 cc / hour for a 24 hour period for each drain.
7. Advil, Alleve, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naprosyn can be resumed on the day following the surgery and will help to you gradually reduce the amount of narcotics as well as reduce inflammation. They can be concurrently be taken with narcotics.
8. Activity:
- Ambulation is advised following the procedure to avoid risk of blood clots in legs.
- Avoid prolonged bedrest.
- Avoid heavy lifting (greater than 5 pounds), strenous, or repetitive activity such as vacuuming, bending for 3-4 weeks following the procedure to help minimize muscle spasms and bleeding.