We are thrilled that you have chosen to have surgery with Dr. Chen! Here is a detailed checklist of preoperative instructions to ensure that your surgery goes as smoothly and as comfortably as possible. If you have any questions that are not answered, please call our office at 310-423-1220, and our staff will be more than happy to help you. We look forward to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals!
Four weeks before surgery:
- Stop smoking. This includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and marijuana. The chemicals and toxins in smoke increase your risk of complications including infection, poor wound healing, and could jeopardize your cosmetic result. Don’t risk it!
Two weeks before surgery:
- DO NOT take any medications, vitamins, herbals, or supplements which may increase your risk of bleeding. Click here for a list of medications to avoid. All other medications, prescription or over-the-counter, that you are currently taking must be cleared by Dr. Chen prior to surgery.
- Only Tylenol (acetaminophen) should be taken for pain.
- Your pre-operative history and physical (H&P) and any necessary tests (which may include blood work, EKG, chest x-ray, etc.) are required to be completed within 1-2 weeks of your surgery. Do not wait until the last minute – it takes time for the lab to return the results to Dr. Chen!
- The history and physical must be completed by your primary care physician on a special Cedars-Sinai form which is included in your packet. Please take this form with you to your physician’s office and see that it is completed and then faxed or mailed back to our office. The hospital will not allow the surgery to go forward without receiving the above noted forms and tests at least 24 hours prior to your surgery. These tests are for your own safety.
- The doctor has reserved special time for your procedure. In order to confirm your surgery date, the name of your primary care physician and the date and time of your pre-operative appointment must be provided to the office at least 1 week in advance of your surgery. If we do not hear from you, your surgery will be rescheduled.
The night before surgery:
- The hospital or surgery center will contact you directly by telephone to discuss the details of your procedure.
- Our office will also try to notify you of the exact time of your surgery. Please provide our staff with all possible phone numbers with which to contact you.
- Arrange for someone to drive and pick you up from surgery.
- Take your first dose of arnica montana (buy over-the-counter) before midnight.
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
The day of surgery:
- DO NOT:
- use gel, mousse, or hairspray.
- wear make-up.
- wear jewelry or contact lenses.
- wear anything that pulls over your head.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing. A jogging suit is ideal with a button, snap, or zip closure. Shoes should either be flat or low-heeled and easy to slip on. No high heels.
- On the morning of your surgery, you must be at the hospital or surgery center no later than two hours prior to your scheduled surgery time. It is important that you show up on time or you may risk cancellation of your surgery.
- There are occasions where your surgery may be delayed due to unforeseen emergencies or scheduling, and we always suggest that you “bring a good book” to cover for this contingency. We do our best to anticipate the duration of our surgeries and schedule accordingly. However, we cannot predict everything and our top priority is always the health and safety of the patient on the operating table.
- All patients will spend some time in the post-op recovery room following surgery. The exact amount of time can vary depending on the length of the anesthesia and sensitivity of the patient to medications. Once you are stable enough, you will be discharged home directly from the recovery room.
- Patients are under no circumstances allowed to drive themselves home after any anesthetic, nor are taxi cab or limo services permitted. You must arrange for your own private transportation to take you home.
