The Pre-Operative Appointment

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If you schedule a surgery date you will more than likely schedule a pre-operative visit appointment, as well. This will entail another trip to the surgeon's office, bloodwork (labs) to check your red and white blood cell counts (a CBC test), among other things. This will identify any pre-existing disorders such as anemia, some cancers (leukemia or lymphoma), it evaluates blood loss, determines the possibility of infections diseases.


You can also predetermine those who may be high risk to post-operative infections. Usually before surgery, a white cell blood count only is performed, as well as a pregnancy test if you are and female of childbearing age. Although a related test known as the hematocrit test may be performed.

And please quit smoking now. It will highly reduce your risk of necrotic tissue. Do not take any chances with this. Smoking and major surgery like this can cause problems while under anesthesia not to mention possible necrosis during the healing stage. Also since nicotine causes vessel dilation and decreased circulation, your body is not in the optimum healing mode. If you are having fat grafting, even more so as the fat graft may not be adequately vascularized causing fat cell death. Your results will be compromised. Even using nicotine patches still cause problems. It is best to quit well beforehand. I know this is difficult, but I did it, so can you.

You will go over your post-operative instructions and what medications you shouldn't be taking as well as the ones you should take before surgery.

You will also be given (or should be given) a list of medications that you must cease or avoid taking. These medications will mostly be aspirin-containing products and supplements that may inhibit clot formation or cause problems with anesthesia.

You will also be given a list of things to buy or have around you in your healing room. Things like frozen peas, raspberries or blueberries for icing you down to ease the swelling and bruising. You may be asked to buy a soap, perhaps Hibiclens, or it will be given to you for cleansing a few days before surgery (to kill Staph and other surface bacteria). Some surgeons simply suggest Dial antibacterial soap. You will usually get gauze and other types of dressings to tend to your incision areas if applicable, or Listerine if they are intra-oral. We have provided a list for your convenience below or you may click the link for a printable version to have on hand.