Shopping List before Plastic Surgery
Anytime you undergo a surgical procedure, you want to prepare for the recovery period ahead of time. Patients will not feel up to running errands and doing chores in the days after plastic surgery due to the side effects that occur. In many cases, patients shouldn’t drive during this time due to pain medications or because they should avoid lifting the arms during the initial healing period.
At Centre Chirurgical De La Capitale, Patricia Berbari, M.D., M.Sc., F.R.C.S.(C), wants all of our facial plastic surgery and body contouring patients to be prepared for their recovery after plastic surgery. That is why we have provided some tips that will help you develop your comprehensive shopping list before plastic surgery. To learn more, read on, and then contact our Gatineau, QC practice to schedule your consultation with us.
Medical Supplies
One of the first and most obvious stops you’ll need to make is a pharmacy or drug store to pick up medical supplies. We may provide you with a prescription for pain medication, or you can pick a safe over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen.
You should add anti-bacterial soap to your shopping list. You’ll need this the night before your procedure, and you can continue using it during the healing period to reduce the risk of infection.
You may also want to purchase gauze and medical tape in case you need to switch out your bandages after surgery. Ask us if this will be needed during your pre-surgical consultation.
You may also wish to pick up Neosporin and scar reduction products. There are many scar reduction options to choose from, including strips, ointments, and creams.
Finally, you may need ice packs or cold compresses to reduce discomfort, swelling, and bruising. You may also wish to purchase products such as bromelain or arnica montana to reduce bruising and swelling, and improve wound healing.
Food and Drinks
Food and drinks are also important to have on hand during your healing period. When making your shopping list, remember that a low sodium diet will reduce inflammation after plastic surgery. Also, hydration can improve healing.
In addition, you’ll want to buy items that are easy to make, or get ingredients for meals that can be made and refrigerated or frozen ahead of time.
Some items to include on your shopping list may include coconut water, lean proteins, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, quinoa, yogurt, and multi-grain crackers.
Entertainment
Since you will be hanging out at home for at least a few days after your plastic surgery procedure, you may want to think ahead of time of some things you can do for entertainment.
You may wish to buy some magazines or books. Or, you could buy some movies or TV shows to stream. Some people like playing games on their phone or tablet, so this could be a good option as well.
If you have some entertainment ready for you to enjoy during your recovery, it can help pass the time until you are ready to return to your normal routine.
To find out if you are a good candidate for plastic surgery, contact Centre Chirurgical De La Capitale today.