If you are scheduled to undergo plastic surgery, you are no doubt at least a little bit nervous – after all, it is surgery, and even the bravest and toughest of us sometimes get a little bit nervous. But the good news is that you’re in great hands with Dr. Chau, and with just a few simple steps, you can ensure that whoever is helping you recover after your surgery is prepared to help you in while you heal.

Read Up

It sometimes helps patients to read real-life accounts of plastic surgery recovery on sites like RealSelf. These give you a realistic idea of what to expect during the healing and recovery process. However, not every case is identical, and sometimes reading up on what to expect does more harm than good. If you don’t want to know how someone else recovered from your same procedure, then avoid real-person accounts and stick to the information provided by Dr. Chau.

Make sure, no matter what you do, you read all post-op paperwork before your surgery. This will tell you what to expect, what supplies to have on hand and what steps you should take to prepare yourself for surgery prior to your procedure.

Stock Up

If you are having a procedure that requires any kind of medical supplies, make sure you stock up on them before your surgery, and go over what to do with each one with your caregiver. Things like gauze, Epsom salts, prescription medications, extra pillows, a cane, extra support garments, and even extra movies, books, magazines and a bell to ring when you need assistance can help a great deal. You should also make sure you have the correct type of clothing to wear home from your procedure. Surgeries like the breast-lift or augmentation or abdominoplasty require a button-up shirt to wear home. We recommend you invest in some soft, comfortable button-up pajamas, so you don’t need to change when you get home.

You should also pick up any prescriptions prior to your procedure so they’re ready to go, and if you need a timer to set between medication doses, grab a cheap kitchen timer too. You may also want to invest in a lap desk, facial cleansing wipes and dark sheets or towels in case of any leaked blood.

Back Up

Make sure your caregiver has Dr. Chau’s office number at the ready in case of questions or concerns, as well as any emergency numbers, pharmacy numbers or any other phone numbers you may need during your recovery.

Eat Up

Prior to your surgery you will be required to fast if you will be under general anesthesia. When you wake up, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be hungry, but some medications may cause nausea and eliminate your appetite. We recommend you stick to bland foods for the first 24 hours following your procedure, so make sure you have these foods on hand. Furthermore, if you are responsible for pets or children, make sure you have a well-stocked kitchen, so they can be fed by your caregiver while you rest.

Rest Up

Make sure you and your caregiver both get a good night’s sleep before your procedure, and that your caregiver allows you time to rest as needed following your procedure. If you have a loud home with kids and pets, invest in a white-noise machine to help keep it quiet during the day. If your room doesn’t get very dark, consider new curtains or an eye mask to help you sleep during the day.

If you have any questions or concerns about what you need for the best post-op experience possible, please give Dr. Chau’s office a call at 888-966-9471.