Any surgery has inherent risks. In order to decrease some of these risks, following proper instructions is very important around the time of surgery. A complete discussion of medical problems or conditions, medications, alcohol and tobacco use are necessary with your surgeon.
Certain medications can cause greater risks for problems both at the
time of surgery and afterwards. Anti-inflammatory medications such as
aspirin (Excedrin, Ecotrin), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Midol), naproxen
(Naprosyn, Nuprin), Aleve, combination medications containing
anti-inflammatories, and prescription anti-inflammatory medications
thin the blood and will increase the risk of a postoperative bleed.
These must be stopped 2 weeks before until 3 weeks after surgery.The
only anti-inflammatory that can be used during this time is Tylenol
(acetominophen). Other blood thinners such as coumadin must also be
stopped but this would need to be done at the advice of your physician.
Vitamin E and fish oil (Omega-3) also act as a blood thinners.
Please also stop all energy drinks during this time period.
Other medications that can potentially cause problems are prescription steroids which also include nasal inhaler steroids such as Flonase, Nasonex, and others. Asthma inhalers with steroids are also included. Steroids should not be abruptly stopped, but must be tapered at the advice of your prescribing doctor. Non-prescription and prescription body-building steroids (anabolic steroids) can also cause serious problems, as can prescription and over-the-counter diet pills. Most herbs and herbal products act as blood thinners and are also stopped around the time of surgery.
Certain surgical procedures cannot be done in someone using nicotine. This even includes the "occasional" smoker. All forms of nicotine are included, such as cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, nicotine gum and patches. If you use these at any time whatsoever, you must tell your plastic surgeon as extremely serious loss of skin and extreme scarring will occur with certain surgeries. Some of these surgeries include almost all facial procedures, breast lift and breast reduction, tummy tuck, aggressive chemical peels and laser resurfacing. Alcohol use (beer, wine, mixed drinks) should be stopped 2 weeks prior to surgery, as alcohol can act as a blood thinner.
Major surgery puts the body under nutrional and energy stress as the body heals postoperatively. Good nutrition is essential to the healing process. If you are on any type of special diet, calorie restriction, even if the calorie restriction is just calorie counting, you must inform Dr. Wiener. Also, unusual diets or vegetarian diets must be disclosed because even though this type of diet may be adequate during normal times, during and after a surgery, it may not provide adequate nutrition and may cause extremely serious wound healing problems. This warning also includes diets that are just poor, such as meals that are primarily junk or fast food, as the nutritional content may not be good enough to allow adequate wound healing. Therefore, three regular meals of high quality meat, fish, poultry, and fresh fruits and vegetables need to be started as far ahead of surgery as possible and continued for at least two months postop. Dr. Wiener also recommends that you begin a plain, over-the-counter Vitamin C tablet, 500mg, with no other herbal components or additives as soon as possible and continue this for two months after surgery.
Any medical condition that you have must also be discussed with your surgeon. Certain conditions can greatly increase your risk of serious problems with surgery or anesthesia. All previous surgical procedures that you have had also need to be discussed. Although risks are present with any surgery, good, honest communication with your plastic surgeon and following postoperative instructions can decrease certain risks and make your surgery and recovery safer.