Preparing For Surgery & Recovery

To prepare for surgery and speed your recovery you need a positive mental attitude, a healthy diet, and to follow the following simple precautions.

Avoid smoking. Smoking reduces the blood supply to the skin, speeds up the ageing process and increases the risk of a number of post-operative complications. Smokers tend to cough following a general anaesthetic which increases the likelihood of post-operative bleeding.

Make sure your weight is within your normal limits. If your weight changes significantly after surgery you may not gain the full benefits of the procedure. If you have surgery to remove excess skin (e.g. facelift, breast uplift, abdominoplasty) then lose weight, the result will not be as firm as it was immediately after the operation.

Inform Mr Nduka about every medication and supplement you are taking- this includes vitamins and herbal remedies. Some, such as ginko biloba contain active substances that increase bleeding.

Write questions down as you think of them to ensure that you get the most out your consultation. You may ask a trusted friend to accompany you to the consultation if you wish.

Sleeping on your back for the first few days is essential for most surgical procedures so ensure you have plenty of cushions available. After facial surgery you should sleep with the head of your bed raised up. Ideally raise the head of the bed by 6 inches by stacking phone directories under the feet of the bed. Using plenty of pillows may help, but there is a tendency for you to slide down whilst asleep.

Some pain killers (e.g. Tramadol, Co-codamol, and Co-proxamol, Codeine,) can make you constipated. Straining can increase the risk of bleeding therefore eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and drink lots of fluid to reduce the likelihood of a problem. If you are generally prone to constipation, a mild laxative may be recommended.

If you are having cosmetic facial surgery, stock up on soft foods that are easy to swallow, particularly for the first few days.

Avoid stooping, for example to pick things off the floor/ fasten shoes. Bending over forces blood to your head which may increase swelling, bruising and the risk of bleeding, particularly in the first 24 hours.

Avoid stressful environments - recovery time is your time. Rent your favourite films to watch to stave off boredom.

Dress for comfort.