Surgical Instructions

GENERAL PREOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS INTRAVENOUS SEDATION OR GENERAL ANESTHESIA

You must not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for at least eight (8) hours prior to the scheduled surgery time. If instructed by our anesthesia provider, you may take your usual daily medications with a small sip of water. Please discontinue the use of aspirin or any aspirin-containing medication at least three (3) weeks prior to surgery. Many common over-the-counter remedies contain aspirin or aspirin-like compounds which may cause excessive bleeding or bruising. Our office will provide you with a comprehensive list of medications containing aspirin to avoid in the peri-operative period.

A responsible adult must accompany you to the surgery center, and must be available to drive you home (unless you will be going to an aftercare facility). You may not drive yourself to or from your surgical procedure, except for minor procedures under Local Anesthesia (without sedation) only. You must be monitored and assisted by a responsible adult for the first 24 hours following surgery, except in the case of minor procedures. Please provide our office with the name, location, and telephone number of the person who will care for you on the night of surgery, and with the phone number where you can be reached on the night before surgery, so that our anesthesia provider can contact you, if necessary, to discuss your health history.

You should not drive a vehicle, operate any machinery, or make important business or personal decisions, for a minimum of 24 hours following the anesthesia and surgical procedure, or while you are taking any narcotic pain medication or sedatives post-operatively.

Please wear loose-fitting clothing with sleeves which can be rolled up past the elbow, and flat shoes. Contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures must be removed prior to surgery. Please do not wear any skin lotions or moisturizers, facial or body make-up, hair care products (mousse, gel, spray), and perfumes or cologne on the morning of surgery. If you have been asked to perform a pre-surgical scrub, please shower and shampoo with the soap which has been provided to you, on the morning of surgery and/or the night before surgery.

Please do not bring money, jewelry, or other valuables to the surgery center. Neither Dr. Cambre nor the facility will be responsible for loss or theft of money or valuables.

A Word About Risks and Complications

Although most Plastic Surgery procedures appear to be relatively simple operations, it is essential for you to understand that aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, like all surgery, has inherent risks. In spite of the fact that the vast majority of procedures are uncomplicated, and the procedure has been performed with the utmost skill and care, there nonetheless may be adverse reactions to anesthetic agents, or post-operative complications such as bleeding, infection, or poor wound healing. Your cooperation and compliance with the instructions you will be given concerning your pre- and post-surgical care is essential in minimizing these risks and potential complications, especially regarding smoking, exercise, and medications. Occasionally, surgical revisions may be necessary in order to achieve optimal results or to correct unanticipated complications, and this may result in additional expense, inconvenience, and loss of income for the patient.

It is important to remember that Plastic Surgery molds and reshapes living tissue, and therefore the results are not absolutely predictable. In a similar fashion, each individual patient has unique and different anatomic and genetic characteristics, and may respond differently to the same type of surgical procedure or implant. No surgeon can offer risk-free surgery or guarantee a perfect result. Dr. Cambre and his staff will make every effort to insure your safety, to minimize your risks, and to achieve the surgical result you desire.