This page is for the patient's of the Palm Harbor Plastic Surgery Centre. If you are planning to have surgery in our facility or have already had your surgery, this information will be helpful to you.

 

 

After surgery patient questionnaire.  Tell us what you think.  Click here.

 

 

 

If you need to reach your surgeon after hours call the office and follow the instructions on the voice mail. We do not have an answering service. Do not send us E-mail or use this site for emergencies. Do not dial the operator after hours. We will call you back. Telephone: 727-789-5711 and follow the instructions.

PREPARING FOR SURGERY
STARTING NOW

STOP SMOKING: Smoking reduces circulation to the skin and impedes healing. This is very important.  When we ask you to stop smoking- we mean it- STOP SMOKING!

TAKE MULTIVITAMINS: Start taking multivitamins twice daily to improve your general health once you have scheduled your surgery. Remember to avoid vitamin E.

TAKE VITAMIN C: Start taking 500 mg of vitamin C twice daily to promote healing.

DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN: Stop taking medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen at least 2 weeks prior to your surgery. Such drugs can cause bleeding problems during and after surgery. Instead, use medications containing acetaminophen (such as Tylenol).

STOP Herbal Supplements two weeks prior to surgery and two weeks after surgery. Learn More...

STOP VITAMIN E: Do Not take Vitamin E two weeks prior to your surgery.

STOP taking any diet pills at least 2 full weeks before your scheduled surgery. Be sure to tell your surgeon and anesthesia personnel that you were taking this type of medication.

FILL YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS: You will be given prescriptions for medications. Please have them filled BEFORE the day of surgery and bring them with you. Consider filling your Cipro or Keflex prescriptions at Publix pharmacy. Your antibiotic prescriptions will be filled for free at Publix. For more information please. Learn More...

CONFIRM SURGERY TIME: We will call you to confirm the time of your surgery. If you are not going to be at home or at your office, please call us to confirm at (727) 789-5711.

CLEANSING: The night before surgery, shower and wash the surgical areas with Dial soap or a similar antibacterial soap.

EATING AND DRINKING: Do not eat or drink anything after 12:00 midnight the night before your surgery. This includes water.

THE MORNING OF SURGERY

SPECIAL INFORMATION: Do not eat or drink anything! If you take a daily medication, you may take it with a sip of water in the early morning. If you are having implant surgery (breast augmentation) take your antibiotics the day before your surgery with a sip of water. DO NOT EAT THE DAY OF SURGERY!

ORAL HYGIENE: You may brush your teeth but do not swallow the water.

CLEANSING: Shower and wash the surgical areas again with Dial soap.

MAKE-UP: Please do not wear moisturizers, creams, lotions, or makeup.

CLOTHING: Wear only comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that does not go over your head. Remove hairpins, wigs, and jewelry. Please do not bring valuables with you.

CHECK IN/PREPARATION: Report to the Palm Harbor Plastic Surgery Centre 45 minutes earlier than your scheduled surgery time. Go to the side entrance and ring the bell. Patient's less than 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

AFTER SURGERY ( first few days)

• After receiving anesthesia, you may be sleepy for the next 12-24 hours. You are advised to go directly home and rest or sleep.
• For the next 24 hours: do not drive, operate machinery or anything else that requires concentration or any precision work. Do not use alcohol or drugs other than those prescribed by your doctors.
• When you feel like eating, start with fluids like soup or Jell-O. As tolerated, you may progress to a normal diet.
• A mild sore throat is not uncommon for 24-48 hours following general anesthesia. Lozenges may be helpful.
• If you are unable to urinate after 8 hours, call your surgeon. Constipation is common after surgery. You may not have a bowel movement for several days after your surgery even though you normally are regular. The pain pills may contribute to this constipation. Try walking and take extra fluids. Next, Milk of Magnesia (or a gentle laxative) may help. You may wish to use a suppository to gently stimulate. Eat some fruits as tolerated.
• Now that surgery has been accomplished, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you take some steps to ensure that your breathing functions stay at their optimum. Often after surgery, patients are afraid to breath normally because of perceived discomfort. If your lungs are not expanding fully, and the commonly produced secretions are not able to be expectorated out, then complications such as pneumonia can occur. Deep breathe and cough periodically after surgery.
• Headache, vague soreness or stiffness are common side effects of anesthesia and may persist for several days.
• Fatigue may persist for 24-48 hours.
• If you have any questions or problems which may relate to your anesthesia, call your surgeon who will contact your anesthesiologist for you.

AFTER SURGERY (first week) Applies to most procedures

• You can expect swelling and bruising as a normal occurrence after surgery. Swelling usually reaches a peak is 3 days and then starts to resolve.
• Take Arnica which has been shown to reduce bruising, swelling, and pain caused by surgery or trauma.  It is a helpful adjunct to plastic surgery that can be used Before and After procedures.  Boiron ARNICARE is simple to use with no known or reported side effects or drug interactions.  Click here to view valuable coupons that can be downloaded.
• Ice packs or cool packs are best to control swelling after surgery. We recommend the use of frozen peas in a baggy instead of ice.
• If tapes or other bandages are placed by your surgeon at the time of the procedure, you should leave them in place and not remove them until directed to do so.
• Keep the surgical area elevated after surgery. This will aid in healing and keep swelling to a minimum.
• The use of artificial tears is helpful after Blepharoplasty surgery. The use of ocean drops or saline drops are helpful after rhinoplasty.

AFTER SURGERY Pain Pump

• Our surgeons use the Breg 4200 Pain Care system after abdominoplasty surgery. Instructions for its use were provided to you. If you need a printed version, open this link.
• We also use the GO PUMP manufactured by Symbios Medical Products.

     AFTER SURGERY Drain Care

• Follow the instructions that were given to you and your support person.  Drains should be emptied when they are one-half full.  Be sure to milk the drain tubing carefully from the skin exit site toward the bulb.  If any drain puts out more than 100 cc per hour, contact your surgeon. You can download an After Surgery Drain Record here.

    *Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire*  

• Dear Patient:  Have you been wanting to tell us what you think?  We'd love to know!  Will you please help us improve our patient care by completing this questionnaire?  We welcome your comments. Click here to take survey  

REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL 727.789.5711