How to Avoid Having Your Surgery Rescheduled

Before Plastic Surgery – IMPORTANT information!

In addition to the responsibilities of your plastic surgeon, anesthesiologist, and the nursing staff, surgery involves certain obligations on the part of the patient to ensure a safe and uncomplicated experience. The following is a list of three guidelines before surgery that must be followed prior to your operation. While all may not apply to each patient, the pertinent ones will be confirmed by the nursing staff when you check in for surgery. If these are not followed, surgery will need to be rescheduled for your medical safety.

1. NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK EIGHT (8) HOURS PRIOR TO SURGERY

This is a potential life and death issue. Food or liquids in the stomach can be potentially vomited during the anesthesia process, entering the lungs and causing severe pneumonia or even death. For this reason, surgery is never  performed without an empty stomach even if only a conscious sedation is used. This INCLUDES even a few sips of coffee or water – if you eat or drink ANYTHING within 8 hours of your procedure,  IT WILL BE RESCHEUDLED FOR YOUR SAFETY.

2. YOU WILL NEED TO BE TAKEN HOME BY SOMEONE AFTER SURGERY

Unless you are having a procedure done under local anesthetic injections, the use of IV medication for sedation or general anesthesia requires that you be taken home by a responsible adult after surgery. It is simply not safe for you to drive home after an anesthetic. There are no exceptions. Taking a taxi home is also not permitted. (it is fair to say the taxi driver does not want the responsibility of your medical safety). We have nursing services available – ask for details.

3. IF YOU ARE FROM OUT OF TOWN AND STAYING IN A HOTEL, SOMEONE WILL NEED TO STAY WITH YOU THE NIGHT AFTER SURGERY

It is not medically safe for you to be alone in a hotel room after any surgery that required you to have a general or conscious sedation anesthetic. If you do not have someone traveling with you, we can help make arrangements to stay overnight in the surgery center or for a caretaker to stay with you in the hotel or at your house. These arrangements will need to be made in advance.

4. SHOWING UP FOR SURGERY ON TIME

While plastic surgeons will be the first to admit that they do not always run on time despite their best efforts, it is important that you be on time which does not mean appearing 15 minutes before the scheduled start of your procedure. Much preparation needs to be done beforehand (paperwork, IV start, discussion and more) for you to have a successful and uncomplicated surgical outcome. You are required to be at the surgery center or hospital one hour before your scheduled surgery time. It is considered late if you show up just a few minutes before your actual surgery start time. This may result in the need to reschedule your surgery.

Plastic Surgery with Dr. Eppley

Patients at Eppley Plastic Surgery are treated with a high amount of attentiveness. Dr. Eppley works hard to ensure that each cosmetic surgery patient remains safe and comfortable throughout their procedure. As a premier plastic surgeon, Dr. Eppley performs a wide range of sophisticated procedures, including tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift and rhinoplasty. He is also considered a leading breast augmentation specialist because of his ability to create results that appear natural and enhances the shape of his patients’ figure.