PREOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRESURGERY

Please review these instructions before you arrive for surgical or cosmetic procedures.

Before You Come

  1. Please DO eat. A light breakfast is ideal. Procedures are performed at the clinic with local anesthesia only, so fasting is unnecessary and may make you more likely to have problems.
  2. Take your regularly prescribed medications, although aspirin and aspirin-containing medications (Click for a more complete list of Aspirin Related Drugs) should not be taken for 10-14 days prior to surgery. Please check all medicine labels. If you are unsure, please call for instructions.
    • Please bring your medications with you on the morning of surgery.
    • Advise Dr. Berger or staff of any over-the-counter medications that you have taken in the last 2 weeks.
  3. We recommend a shower the evening or morning before surgery and freshly laundered clothes to help reduce the chance of you getting an infection. Wear a shirt or blouse that buttons up the front, and comfortable loose pants/skirt.
  4. Do not apply makeup, cream or shaving lotion, etc., to the affected area.
  5. Bring makeup along if needed as cover up afterwards.
  6. A container for contact lens or dentures should be brought for wearers.
  7. Please realize that you will probably be in our office for an extended period of time on your surgery day.
  8. Please call our office if you get sick between now and the time of your surgery.
  9. Please call our office if you have any questions.
  10. Remember to start any antibiotics or numbing creams on time.
  11. If you are allergic to any medications or have any sensitivities, please notify us immediately.
  12. On the day of surgery, you must be accompanied by a family member or friend. Medicated patients will not be allowed to drive themselves home and all patients must be escorted when leaving this office after surgery. If we need to call for your ride after the procedure, bring the name and phone numbers required with you when you come and give that information to the receptionist.

Medications to Avoid Before Surgery and Cosmetic Procedures

  • Baby Aspirin
  • Any Aspirin-containing product, even if it is just a small amount (including Advil) (Complete list of Aspirin Related Drugs)
  • Vitamin E (a multivitamin is ok, but larger doses tend to thin the blood)
  • Gingko biloba
  • Coumadin
  • Prednisone
  • Garlic Capsules
  • Alcohol, especially Red Wine
  • Nicotine

Aspirin or Aspirin Related Drugs

These instructions are to be followed before and after your surgery.
For a two-week period prior to and after the scheduled date of your surgery, please do not take any medication that contains aspirin or aspirin-related products, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) as an ingredient.

Aspirin has an effect on your blood’s ability to clot and could increase your tendency to bleed or bruise at the time of surgery and during the postoperative period. Please check the labels of all medications that you take, even those available without a prescription, to make sure you are not taking any aspirin or aspirin-like substances.

Please consult your physician before stopping any prescribed medication.

See the list of Aspirin Related Medications for the more common medications and substances that can increase your tendency to bleed. If you are on any antirheumatoid, antiarthritic, circulation, or anticoagulant medication (e.g., Motrin, Naprosyn, Persantine, or Coumadin), please inform us.

If you need minor pain medication after your surgery please take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or another non-aspirin medication. Tylenol® or Anacin-3® are available at your local pharmacy without a prescription and have comparable pain relief potential to that of aspirin. If you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or unable to take it for other reasons, please notify us so that we might arrange a suitable substitute.