What is the best way to prepare for surgery?

Most people undergoing plastic surgery have never had surgery before. It is a foreign experience. Any experience which the person is not familiar with causes anxiety. It is similar to the night before the first day of school or a new job. Lack of sleep itself is not a cause of complications, so don’t worry if you lose sleep.

At the same time, it is important to not “party” too much the few days before surgery. Alcohol dehydrates you and also can cause easier bruising and bleeding. Try to stay away from alcohol for at least a few days before surgery. Smoking has nicotine which interferes with wound healing. Avoid smoking for one month before surgery and for at least 6 weeks after. Going to social events is okay, but try to take care of your body as much as possible.

I am scared of anesthesia. How can I stop being scared of general anesthesia?

The fear of being put to sleep is extremely common. People generally have fear of not being in control. You are putting trust into someone else’s hands. The best way to deal with this is to meet your anesthesiologist. This takes away the anxiety. You learn about them and the process. After hearing this, you will be much more relaxed. The practice of Anesthesiology is highly advanced and is safer than you could imagine. Thousands of people undergo general anesthesia every day without complications. Don’t be afraid to express your deepest and darkest fears. Your surgeon and anesthesiologist can help you get over these fears by informing you of the facts.

How do I prevent getting an infection from surgery?

Your surgeon can help greatly with this. Dr. Richard Zoumalan published the first research article on the prevention of high grade infections (MRSA) in facial plastic surgery. This was published in the Archives of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, a major international journal. It was very well received by the international press. He has spoken at many medical conferences about this and was interviewed by Sirius Radio regarding this. His research was covered in ABC News. He created a protocol (plan) which is used by many surgeons today. With the use of a special wash amongst other preparations, Dr. Zoumalan dramatically decreases the chance of infection after surgery.

Can I have caffeine before surgery?

We recommend that you can have caffeine up to two days before surgery. It is best to stop drinking caffeine two days before surgery in order to avoid headaches that you may have when you stop drinking it. One the day of surgery as well as the next day, you should stay away from caffeine as it increases blood pressure and can increase bruising. Because you won’t be drinking caffeine during those days, you may get a withdrawal headache. People who drink coffee every day and then stop for a day tend to get this. The reason to stop drinking caffeine a couple days early is so that you don’t have the headaches on the day of surgery or the day after surgery.

How can I reduce the chance that I get bruising?

Some people bruise easier than others. This is a result of the combination of genetics and what you eat and drink. Because you obviously can’t change your genetics, we will work with you to optimize your diet and reduce your intake of things that make you bruise easier. See section on Diet and Nutrition Before Surgery. There are two supplements that can help decrease bruising and inflammation after surgery: Arnica Montana and Bromelain. Arnica Montana is extracted from a European flowering plant of the same name. Studies support that it decreases bruises after surgery. To reduce inflammation, we sometimes give Bromelain. Bromelain is extracted from Pineapple stems and decreases inflammation.

What type of supplies do I need before surgery?

Dr. Zoumalan’s office will give you a list of supplies for your surgery at least one week before surgery. All these items are easily found at any drug store. The office will also give you your prescriptions one week early so that you have everything ready before surgery.