General Tips to Help you Prepare for Surgery

With the guidance of our Scientific Advisory Board, Top Doctors Labs has assembled the following pre- and post-surgical tips and suggestions for you to discuss with your doctor in order for you to have the best possible outcome from your surgery. (You should always discuss specifics with your doctor or surgeon as appropriate.)

In addition to any special or specific instructions you may have received from your physician, here are some things that you can do to help ensure the best results from your surgery.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions from anyone on the team that is helping with your pre-operative and post-operative planning, especially your doctor. The more you understand, the better you will do.
• If you are taking any prescription medications or herbal supplements, make sure you tell your doctor. Ask which should be stopped, and which may be continued with a sip of water the morning of surgery.
• Tell your doctor about any other medical problems that you may have. Health problems such as allergies, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and others could affect your surgery and the specifics of your treatment.
• Eat a balanced, healthy diet, AND employ a pre-surgical vitamin regimen to provide the nutrients needed to support the demands of healing after your procedure.
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• Quit smoking. Patients who smoke have more infections, more complications, and recover more slowly than non-smokers. Talk to your doctor about how you can quit before surgery…it is very important.
• Make sure you do not shave the intended surgical area with a razor. The nurse and staff in the pre-operative area will use special clippers if this is needed for your procedure. Shaving with a razor can irritate your skin and increase your risk of infection.
• Take a shower, cleaning all parts to include hands and fingernails the night before your surgery.
• If you will be going home the day of or the day after surgery, change your bed linens beforehand so they are as clean as possible when you get home.