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, your final questions will be answered and you will confirm that you 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 pain pills and antibiotics along with instructions for their use.  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 at your doctor’s office and any certified laboratory. 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 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.

Patients should shampoo they hair the morning of or the night prior to surgery. Absolutely nothing may be taken by mouth after midnight prior to the day of surgery (except medications prescribed by your family doctor, but please mention these to the anesthesiologist in advance.)

Sometimes, 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.  It is absolutely imperative that you make arrangements in advance to have someone drive you to and from the surgery center on the day of your operation.  Most patients who choose to have a midface lift by itself can go home with any responsible adult who can spend the next 24 hours with you at home – if you choose to have a traditional facelift in addition to the midface procedure, care by a trained nurse for the first night will be imperative.

Please wear loose fitting clothing, which will be easy to get off and on after the operation.   When you arrive for your operation, please give the receptionist the name and phone number of the person who will take you home and spend the first night with you. Wear no makeup to the surgical facility on the day of surgery, and do not apply facial moisturizers.  

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 and excessive bruising.