OK, now that you have booked your surgery date with your surgeon, it is time to prepare your skin and your body for your post-operative stage when you are in the healing process.

What can you do to best prepare yourself?

• It is important to eat a healthy diet, including vitamins and protein
• Drink plenty of water
• Continue to exercise prior to your surgery, and ask your doctor when you can resume post-surgery, as it may depend on the procedure you are having
• Cut out alcohol at least one week prior (alcohol can thin the blood and lead to increased bleeding, bruising and swelling)
• If you smoke, stop at least one month prior to surgery, and don’t smoke for at least 2 months after (if you have quit that long…quit forever! It is the best thing you will ever do for your health)
• Talk to your surgeon about any medications or supplements that you are taking that they may want stopped to prevent excess bleeding and to aid the healing process
• Ask your doctor for any medications your may require and have those filled in advance
• Ask your doctor for any specific skin care products you may require post surgery
• Purchase and have fitted any postoperative garments that you may require, for example a special supportive bra after breast reconstruction
• Depending on your surgery, your doctor may be able to advise or recommend a consultation for post-operative make-up techniques to hide any bruising or facial redness that may occur
• Ask a friend or relative to bring you to your surgery day, and to drive you home afterwards

Other things to consider?

• To make your life easier, include doing errands and household chores ahead of time and even preparing meals in advance, so you don’t have to worry about it after surgery
• Any surgery with sedation and general anaesthesia will require a pre-operative history and physical, usually done by your GP
• There may be also some blood work or other investigations that your surgeon wants done to ensure the highest level of safety for you

As with every surgery, there are different recovery times. During a private consultation, your surgeon will take a thorough medical history from you, discuss your surgical options, explain the complete procedure and potential risks, discuss what to expect pre and post surgery, and your estimated recovery time.

To book a private consultation with Dr Shortt, please call 905-849-4282 or click here.