All pre and post care instructions for your surgical procedure will be provided at your pre-operative appointment. Please feel free to contact our office at 303.320.8618 with any specific questions or concerns. We are here to help!

Breast Enhancement
Body Enhancement
Facial Enhancement

General Surgical Post-Operative Instructions


The following is an overview of the post-operative recovery process that typically follows surgery. It is important to discuss the post-operative phase of your treatment in planning your surgery. A detailed explanation of recovery will be provided in your pre-operative appointment.

Recovery

  • It’s important to have a good friend, family member, or loved one there to take care of you for the first 48 to 72 hours after surgery. You’ll need someone to wake you for your medications, help you to the bathroom, prepare your food for you, and to be there in case there is an emergency. If you do not have someone to help, we can refer a nursing service to you for this time period.
  • You can expect to have some post-operative discomfort. Follow post operative instructions, take your medication, and take care of yourself.
  • We will prescribe antibiotics, be sure to take them. Finish the entire course.
  • You’ll want to eat light during the first 24 hours after surgery but be sure to eat something. Protein drinks are always a good option. Taking medications on an empty stomach can cause nausea and dizziness.
  • Be sure to drink plenty of water.
  • Take your temperature regularly. An elevated temperature could be a sign of an infection.
  • Remember, post-operative swelling is normal.

Dressings & Drains

  • Your provider will be doing all dressing changes for you.
  • If a drain was placed, it should be emptied 3 – 4 times per day and its output recorded. Drains need to be suctioned in order to work.
  • Your drains will be removed during a post-op appointment after 1-2 weeks.

Activity

  • You will need to rest frequently during the first week of your recovery. Don’t plan on doing anything more stressful than walking around the house.
  • Give your body a chance to recover. Do not exercise for at least 6 weeks.
  • Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while on pain medication.
  • No housework until your doctor gives you the okay to resume normal activity.
  • No smoking for 8 weeks. Even second-hand smoke can interfere with your healing. (If you were a smoker, now would be a good time to become an ex-smoker.)

Medications

  • All medications should be taken only as prescribed.
  • Do not drink alcohol while taking medication for pain.
  • Pain medicine taken on an empty stomach may cause nausea. It should be taken with food.
  • Your surgeon will tell you when it is safe to resume taking your regular medications after surgery.

Immediately Contact Our Office

  • If you have a temperature greater than 101 degrees.
  • If you experience persistent vomiting.
  • If you have excessive bleeding that saturates the dressing.
  • Abnormal swelling occurs.
  • If you have a sudden increase in drainage, pain, or swelling at the incision site or surrounding area.
  • If you have any questions regarding your care, post-operative instructions, or medications.