Pre-Operative & Post-Operative Instructions

Pre-operative and post-operative care are integral to the longevity and safety of your treatment results. With a little extra care, you can enjoy a much smoother treatment experience and an easier recovery period. RGV Cosmetic Surgery & Vein Center offers the following instructions for patients living in Brownsville, the Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, and all of South Texas.

Pre-Operative:

• Use and bring rescue inhaler for asthma
• Gastric reflux history – take Pepcid morning of and night before surgery
• No food after midnight for morning surgery
• Only clear liquids at 6AM for afternoon surgery
• Shower with antibacterial soap the night before and morning of surgery day
• Wear loose-fitting pants, front closure shirt, slip-on shoes, and socks
• Remove all piercings. Leave jewelry and valuables at home
• Wear glasses instead of contact lenses
• No alcohol or recreational drugs for at least 48 hours before surgery
• Arrange for an adult caregiver for 24 hours after surgery
• May take regular prescriptions (especially blood pressure medications) with just a sip of water the morning of surgery (do not take oral diabetes medications)
• Remove nail polish from one finger on each hand
• Please arrive at your given time – be prepared to arrive earlier if called in
• No make-up, creams, or lotions
• Have caregiver read “Recipe for Success”
• Provide phone number to reach you after surgery for follow-up call in the AM & PM
• No over-the-head clothing
• Patients having lipo or tummy tuck need waterproof protection for car seat and bed at home
• If having facial surgery: bring sunglasses to wear, wash hair, and do not use hair spray, gel, or any other hair products
• When having a tummy tuck, start Colace the day before surgery and fleet enema the evening before surgery
• Gluteal implant patients should take fleet enema in the AM day of surgery

Post-Operative:

• For nausea, drink 1 tbs. of Coke every 15 minutes for one hour, then lay flat. Use prescribed suppositories at first sign of nausea
• Avoid drinking plain water after surgery on day one to minimize nausea – Sprite or 7Up is better
• Ice 20 minutes on and 40 minutes off away from incisions. Breast lifts and tummy tucks must avoid ice because of constricting blood vessels that threaten skin viability
• Wound care: leave Hypafix tape in place. Specific instructions given as needed
• Take pain pill at first sign of pain as local anesthesia begins to wear off
• Take and complete all antibiotics as directed
• Antiviral medications for facial and labia surgery as per PCP orders for history of herpes
• No other over-the-counter medications without instructions
• If pain pills are not helping, call us before taking more than the recommended dosage
• Scars take up to one year to heal and must be kept out of the sun
• Avoid sun bathing and tanning beds for two weeks. Keep scars out of sun until pink color is gone and scar is white (six to 12 months)
• If instructed to take Aleve after surgery (two tabs in AM & PM), you may add Extra-Strength Tylenol over six hours as needed
• If clear OpSite dressings accumulate fluid/moisture, release the bottom of the dressing to allow the moisture to drain
• Sleep in any position. Facial surgery patients must keep head elevated. Butt augmentation patients must keep weight off butt
• Leave garments on until instructed to remove
• Lipo and tummy tuck patients – numbness is normal in treated areas for up to one year. Take Benadryl for sleep or itching.
• Chin lipo patients may loosen chinstrap for head bandage if short of breath or for headaches
• Call for significant one-sided swelling
• Keep splint dry
• Use milk of magnesia for constipation if no BM by second day after surgery. Start Miralax for constipation if no BM by third day after surgery.
• It is not uncommon to have more pain on one side than the other. Be suspect of increased swelling on one side that is larger than a cup size difference.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your upcoming treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us. We strive to offer effective treatment options that produce natural, long-lasting results. We offer a range of treatments to the residents of McAllen, the Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, and all of South Texas.