Don’t plan on doing anything taxing for a week because you may become tired and want to close your eyes sooner than you normally do. You may find that watching TV is also a strain. You may also experience some facial pain during the first couple of days.” You can count on some bruising, swelling, and being tired. You can count on some discomfort for the first couple of days, but if you don’t have that, what a nice surprise!
Make sure you have a positive companion taking care of you for the first few days following your surgery. Dr. Howard requires his patients to not be alone for the first 24 hours following your surgery. Make sure your caretaker is someone who will be supportive of your decision to have cosmetic surgery. The emotional stages patients experience following surgery affects the caretaker too.
Dr. Howard requires his patients stop smoking at least 2 weeks prior to facial surgery. Tobacco replacement products should be finish two weeks prior to your scheduled surgery date as well due to the nicotine in these products being equivalent to the nicotine in tobacco. For more information read Dr. Howard's blog article: Smoking & Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Howard recommends his patients consider a daily vitamin regimen prior to surgery. Patients may purchase a vitamin regimen appropriate for them at any local health food store, Whole Foods, or if you prefer a liquid vitamin regimen you may order “Daily Build” from Genesis Pure. Do not take additional Vitamin E products other than the recommended daily allowance. Large doses of Vitamin E prior to surgical procedures has been proven to actually inhibit the body’s ability to heal.
In conjunction with daily vitamins, Dr. Howard strongly recommends the use of two herbal supplements that help reduce bruising and swelling: Bromelain and Arnica.
Do plan to have plenty of food that will be easy for you and your caretaker to prepare. Extra movies and books on tape have been very popular with previous patients.
If you are taking any medications listed above, they should be discontinued 2 weeks prior to surgery and only Tylenol should be taken for pain. All other medications that you are currently taking must be specifically cleared by your doctor prior to surgery. It is absolutely necessary that all of your current medications be specifically cleared by your doctor and the nursing staff.
Please Contact Dr. Howard's office if you have any questions prior to your surgery date.
The use of complimentary or alternative medicines such as those found in herbal or homeopathic preparations has increased from 20% or our patient population to more than 60% of our patients. The fascination of herbals, teas, and homeopathic products exists because people believe these medicines to be “natural” and therefore perceived to be “safe.” Only recently have these products been scrutinized carefully by the medical community to determine how safe they actually are. Safety issues are being addressed due to the fact that there are an increasing number of reports describing bleeding complications due to herbal remedies. . Read More . . .