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How Can I Prepare my Body/Skin for Surgery?

asked 1 year ago by flower2010 in Maryland
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 741 times
Tags: health, preparation, skin

I'm scheduled for lower face/neck lift & breast implant revision in 4 wks. I'm in good physical health & have good skin quality, but I want to know if there is anything I can do to make sure my skin is in great shape for surgery & my body is healthy. I heard Arnica, Vit K, taking a multi-vit 2x a day can help. Can you provide any dietary, exercise, skin care recommendations?

16 answers to How Can I Prepare my Body/Skin for Surgery?

+1

Pre-op preparation

As long as you are in good health, don’t smoke, and eat a relatively healthy diet, there are no special preparations other than following the instructions provided by your surgeon
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Preparation for a facelift

The most important things you can do are to clear your schedule for 2 weeks so there is no pressure on you to perform for anyone, get your food stocked, home cleaned, and bills paid.  Keep all negative people AWAY from you.  Avoid all meds and vits and herbals that make you bleed for 2 weeks before and after surgery. And most of all, pick the right doctor - this is YOUR FACE!!  Good luck!
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift preparation

Every doctor has a differnt preoperative regimen for thier patients and you should folllow yours. I prefer  that patients avoid all herbals and any blood thinners.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Vitamins and Herbal Medications in Facelift Surgery

Dear facelift Patient from Maryland, I personally recommend Arnica Montana, Vitamin C, Vitamin K for all of my facial plastic procedures. Certain Vitamins and herbal medications should be avoided to prevent bruising and bleeding. You should follow your own surgeon’s advice, since he is the one performing the procedure. Good luck and good healing.  
Kevin Sadati, DO

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pre Op and Post Op preparations for surgery

There are several things you can do to prepare your body and skin for surgery. A good skin regime such as Obagi is highly recommended. Many offices have an esthetician that could assist you in the correct application for your skin type. Diet is very important, you want to eat healthy with lots of leafy greens such as iron rich spinach. Take a good multi-vitamin daily, but check to see the amount of vitamin E, you do not want to take more than 400 IU a day as that could interfere... more
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

+1

Skin Prep

There is really nothing you can do to prepare your skin.you may want to do a scrub with antibacterial soap a day or two before.Also Vit.K and arnica can be started a few days before to try and minimize bruising.That's about all you can do.
Robert Brueck, MD

Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon
+1

Preparing for Surgery

Arnica, Viamin C, and Vitamin K are all beneficial before surgery. I tell my patients to stop Multi-vitamins before surgery because some of these preparations have vitamins which thin the blood. Having said that, follow your surgeon's recommendations.
Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

How to Prepare for Plastic Surgery

Hi flower2010 in Maryland, Great results in plastic surgery is not the result of the cosmetic procedure alone or the expertise of the plastic surgeon. Preoperative and postoperative care are essential for outstanding results. Most importantly follow the specific instructions of your plastic surgeon, as each has his/her specific instructions. Generally, avoid any blood thinners for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. Stop smoking, keep well hydrated, get plenty of sleep, and... more
Houtan Chaboki, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.potomacplasticsurgery.com

+1

Pre and postop advice for cosmetic surgery

I advise all of my aesthetic surgical patients to avoid taking any medication that can cause bleeding for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery.  This includes non-prescription drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (advil, motrin), and naproxen (aleve), as well as vitamins and supplements.  Tylenol is permitted if needed for minor pain, and I prescribe stronger medication if needed for postop pain.  I used to recommend the use of Arnica and/or Bromelain, and for a while I... more
Pamela B. Rosen, MD

Coral Springs Plastic Surgeon
+1

Preparing skin for surgery

Hi Flower 2010, I agree with taking Bromelin, Arnica and vitamin C as well as the advice about what to avoid.  Preparation of your facial skin can be done with the Obagi system as described or another regimen that your doctor prefers.  For body surgery, I recommend that my patients, especially those undergoing augmentation, start using Bio-oil (drugstore.com) or Nudo extra virgin olive (nudo-italia.com) to try and avoid stretch marks.  Start several weeks prior to... more
Tracy Pfeifer, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Follow your surgeon's instructions

The most important thing you can do is follow your surgeon's preoperative instructions. If they have not provided you with this, you can ask them for general preoperative care and specific questions you may have. In general, Arnica taken the night before surgery and then postoperatively has shown to help in healing as does avoidance of smoking, alcohol and sun. Additionally, avoid taking a multivitamin that contains vitamin E, as this can predispose to bleeding.
Corey S. Maas, MD

San Francisco Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Other surgeons have answered the "what to do" but equally important are the don't do's.

The most important don't do's are: Don't get sunburned or even tanned before the surgery Don't take any drugs or vits. that are likely to increase bleeding Don't have a large meal the night before surgery Exclude garlic, red wine, spicy foods for at least five days before surgery Don't be creative and change your meds or lifestyle without checking with your surgeon Don't go into surgery with a lot of questions unanswered... more
Nathan Mayl, MD

Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

Prepare my Body/Skin for Surgery

By following your chosen surgeon's pre operative instructions EXACTLY! We all have differing thoughts on what we like so ONLY follow the operating surgeons advise. PLEASE! 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Preparation for Surgery

I would continue a healthy diet and exercise, and a good skin care program which should be maintained after surgery as well. Most patients who are nutritionally sound do not need additional supplementation. However a multivitamin and Vitamin C are ok. I would avoid too many additional vitamin supplementation and herbal medication--most of these can cause bleeding problems. Arnica may or may not help. Avoid second hand smoke and obviously smoking.
Hayley Brown MD

Henderson Plastic Surgeon
+1

Preparing Body and Skin for Facelift Surgery

I, personally like all my facelift patients on the Obagi® Nu-Derm skin care system to thicken the dermis, prevent pigmentary problems, and revascularize the skin. I also ask all patients to stop whatever vitamins and other supplements they are on and start using a regimen we supply. This contains Arnica and Bromelin to reduce bruising and other substances to improve healing. It specifically does not contain those vitamins (such as Vitamin E and others found in most Vitamin mixtures) or... more
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

These are all great questions.

Dear Flower  Congratulations regarding your decision to have cosmetic surgery.  Please be aware that all surgeons have different preferences for how patients prepare for surgery.  This is one of those situations were when you ask 100 surgeons, you will get 100 opinions.  However, only one opinion matters: that of your plastic surgeon.  In my office, we make a point of providing these answers.  I recommend that you contact your surgeon's office and make... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

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