Preoperative Instructions

You may visit your surgeon as many times as you wish to have all of your questions answered. At your final preoperative visit, which will take at least an hour, your final questions will be answered and you will confirm that you have understood the procedure to be performed, that this material has been explained to you, that you have read and understood these information sheets, and that you accept the risks by signing the informed consent forms. You will be given prescriptions for surgical soap that is used before surgery, as well as for pain pills, antibiotics and instructions for their use.

All patients anticipating an elective surgical procedure are to stop taking any medication containing anti-inflammatory agents (Aspirin®, Advil®, Motrin®, etc.) as these interfere with the body’s clotting mechanism and can result in dangerous blood loss. Suction lipectomy patients are asked to take iron tablets prior to and after surgery (such as ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate, approximately 300 mg each, twice daily, beginning two weeks before surgery and continuing for two weeks after the procedure or longer if strength has not yet returned). In order to minimize the possibility of infection, all patients are to wash the areas to be treated with Hibiclens® soap for ten minutes the night before surgery and to repeat the process for ten minutes on the morning of the operation. Certain laboratory tests will also be required within two weeks of surgery.

If you are over the age of 50, you will have to obtain a cardiogram. You may have blood drawn by our office nurse during your final preoperative visit, or, if you prefer, at your family doctor’s office or any state licensed laboratory (e.g. Kaiser Hospital, etc.) All patients will be asked to stop smoking at least a month prior to surgery in an effort to maximize your body’s ability to heal the incisions following the operation. Usually, your anesthesiologist will call you the night before surgery to discuss the anesthetic care plan with you. But if you miss the call or your anesthesiologist does not call you, do not worry as you will be able to discuss your anesthesia and have all your questions answered in the morning, at the Laguna Hills Surgery Center, prior to your procedure.