The Pre-op Appointment

After your initial consultation with the doctor, much soul-searching, and many glances in a full-length mirror, you've made the decision to go ahead with the surgery. At this point, you will need to call the patient coordinator at your surgeon's office to make all the arrangements.

The first step is to decide when you would like to schedule the surgery. The date will depend, of course, on the doctor's availability and your personal schedule. Also, many patients prefer an early morning surgery so that they can wake up in the morning and go directly to the hospital, surgery center, or the doctor's surgical suite and not have to spend a long time feeling anxious on the day of the procedure.

Next, you will need to state where you would like to have your surgery performed—in a hospital, a surgery center, or the doctor's in-office surgical suite. (We have already discussed these choices in the previous chapter, and have explained the differences among each of the facilities.)

After the patient coordinator has checked the surgeon's schedule and has made the appointment for your surgery, she will verify the availability of the surgical location you have requested. When this has been confirmed, you are ready to come back to the office for your preop appointment.

This appointment will last approximately thirty minutes, depending on the patient, the procedure, and any special circumstances the doctor needs to address. For instance, if you come down with a cold, the doctor will examine you and then possibly postpone your surgery.

The doctor will explain your procedure in detail, as well as the type of anesthesia that will be used. With general anesthesia, you will sleep through the entire operation. This type of anesthesia is normally used for procedures such as liposuction, tummy tucks, breast reduction, and other major surgeries. With local anesthesia, only the area to be operated on is numbed. This includes surgery on the upper eyelids or nose. The choice depends on the type of surgery you are having, your doctor's opinion, and your personal feelings. Remember to have all your questions about anesthesia ready for your doctor.

The doctor will provide instructions for the night before surgery. Usually, you can have nothing to eat or drink after midnight on the night before your scheduled procedure. You may brush your teeth in the morning, but you'll be instructed not to swallow any liquid. Undigested food in the stomach can cause complications, and your surgery is likely to be postponed if you forget to abstain. Also, it is recommended that you refrain from smoking for at least two weeks before your surgery and for two weeks afterward. Some doctors also recommend taking extra doses of vitamin C for two weeks prior to surgery, as this vitamin has been shown to be helpful in fighting infections. (Nutrition is discussed later in this chapter.)