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Breast Augmentation Pre-Operative Checklist

Shopping

[ ] Purchase all of your prescription medications, vitamins and dressings beforehand in case your pharmacy is in short supply.

[ ] If you haven't been given or prescribed any Valium, ask your surgeon if you may take an over the counter sleeping medication such as Tylenol PM, Benadryl or Unisom (all the same drug, except Tylenol has acetaminophen as well) if you suspect you may be unable to sleep.

[ ] Purchase a digital thermometer if you don't have one, it is imperative you check your temperature regularly for fever. A high fever may be a sign of infection.

[ ] Ask your surgeon about recovery supplements as found in our recovery store. These supplements are specifically developed for optimal healing from surgical procedures.

[ ] Ask your surgeon about arnica montana and bromelain (www.cosmeticsurgeryshop.com) . If he says it is okay you may want to purchase these as well.

[ ] Purchase a few new books, or magazines to read; or rent or buy a few movies and/or videogames to keep you occupied.

[ ] Buy ice packs, bags of frozen peas, raspberries or blueberries which are good for post-operative icing. Another option is to freeze large, double-bagged Ziploc storage bags with 1 part rubbing alcohol to two parts water. This creates a moldable slush when frozen.

[ ] A heating pad, hot water bottle or microwaveable pack is great for a sore back from sleeping elevated for so long.

[ ] Purchase some wetnaps and make-up removal towelettes so you can freshen up without having to get out of your bed or chair. Baby wipes are very good for this. Antibacterial wetnaps are even better.

[ ] Have your digital camera charged and ready or purchase film or a disposable post-op photo camera on hand. Especially if you are considering documenting your procedure online.

Duties

[ ] Clean your house, or have it cleaned.

[ ] Shop ahead of time for recovery foods such as Soup At Hand, protein shakes (read the labels for no no additives!), healthy frozen dinners, and treats like pudding, Jell-O; or cook your own meals and freeze them. Print out our convenient shopping list for pointers.

[ ] Take out the trash, recyclables, etc. so you don't have to worry about it later.

[ ] Have all of your laundry taken care of before your surgery, including clean bedding and towels/washcloths.

[ ] Make a 'to do' list for your caretaker. This may include bills to be paid, thermostat settings, errands, reminders, etc.

[ ] If you have small children, arrange to have your parents or in-laws watch them for the first few days.

[ ] Have someone watch your pets if you don't feel you can handle that responsibility during your recovery.

[ ] If you can't have your pets cared for, tend to their needs beforehand.

[ ] Place cans of food on the counter with the can opener so you don't have to reach or kneel for it later.

[ ] Or purchase a timed or bulk feeder and self-watering dish

[ ] Change the litter box beforehand if you have a cat. You don't want to expose yourself to these germs during your recovery, as well as no bending over. It is best to have someone else do this for you during your recovery.

[ ] Think ahead. Place anything you may need at hip level so that you have no need to reach up or bend down. This means canned and dry goods in the kitchen and toiletries in the bathroom. Bending over is just as bad as reaching over your head.

[ ] Have a few comfortable oversized shirts that open from the front on hand, as well as some sweat pants or pajama bottoms.

[ ] Have your robe and slippers (or several pair of thick socks) nearby.

[ ] Have a hand mirror nearby so you don't have to get up.

[ ] If you have long hair, a few hair scrunchies are great to put your hair back to keep it out of your face, unknotted and out of the way.

[ ] "Black out" your windows, or buy a sleep mask, so that when you do get to sleep, regardless of the hours, you can stay asleep.

[ ] If you think television, video games and reading are eventually going to bore you or stress your eyes, have an MP3 player, satellite radio, Discman (or Walkman) on hand with your favorite relaxing music.

[ ] Have your journal and a few fresh, fully inked pens ready if you are wanting to document your post-operative thoughts in writing. Or if you are like me it is easier to type it into my lap top. Alternative methods of documentation are video and miniature recorders. Remember fresh batteries!

Specialty Items & Instructions

[ ] A laptop is a wonderful item to have during your recovery.

[ ] If no lap top, maybe a Gameboy or a Playstation/Nintendo/Gamecube or X-Box set up near you. You will get bored.

[ ] If you have online friends who are anxious to hear from you, have your significant other, or friend, post or email them with your recovery news. Prepare a list of the addresses, or newsgroup, and URLs. We worry!

[ ] Have an answering machine connected to the phone next to your recovery area. Getting woken up when you just got to sleep is so annoying. Don't forget to turn down the sound and turn off the ringer.

[ ] Your surgeon may prescribe diazepam (Valium) to help you sleep and to ease tense muscles. If not, perhaps ask for it, or check with him if you van take over the counter (OTC) sleep aids that contain diphenhydramine hydrochloride, such as Benadryl and Unisom. Please do not take anything unless you have clearance from your surgeon.

Your Recovery Area

[ ] A comfortable recliner is a good thing, if not the bed is perfectly fine, just keep your upper body elevated.

[ ] Set your recovery bed up with plenty of fluffy pillows, or purchase a pillow wedge, as found in our recovery store. These are great recovery items as many patients report waking up with their regular pillows on the floor or displaced about the bed. With a pillow wedge, you sleep on top of it so they don't go anywhere.

[ ] Have extra blankets on hand; especially when you get home because anesthesia can give you the chills after surgery.

[ ] Set your nightstand up beforehand; include:

[ ] all of your medications

[ ] ample light

[ ] bottled water

[ ] a few packages of crackers

[ ] remote control (with new batteries)

[ ] telephone (fully charged if a cordless)

[ ] your books, magazines, and electronic entertainment

[ ] moisturizer

[ ] Kleenex

[ ] lip balm

[ ] baby wipes or wetnaps

[ ] Have a plastic receptacle or small, lined trashcan on your nightstand (and on the ride home), essential. A large coffee can or a large butter tub make good vomit receptacles. Make sure it has a lid, you don't want to stare at it or smell it afterwards. I personally like the plastic tubs and I keep it on the bed next to me, just in case.

[ ] Have a "go-fer" for the first 48 hours, a significant other or an older child are good options.

[ ] A body pillow can be quite helpful, especially when you are allowed to sleep without elevation after a few weeks.

[ ] A pillow under the knees, or a knee wedge pillow from our recovery store, can help keep you from turning over in your sleep.

[ ] Just in case the lights go out or you need assistance in the middle of the night, have a flash light on your nightstand.

[ ] Have a nightlight or two lighting your way to the restroom for nighttime bathroom visits.

Preparing For Your Ride Home or "Car "Kit"

[ ] Pack a bag for the ride home; this bag may include:

[ ] low sodium crackers, Cheeze-its or Goldfish to help alleviate nausea.

[ ] bottled water; sipping cool water helps alleviate nausea as well as gets rid of the taste in your mouth if you do vomit.

[ ] your medications

[ ] pillows to prop around you

[ ] a throw or small blanket

[ ] a towel, or those absorbent blue underpads (www.cosmeticsurgeryshop.com) for the seat in case you had lipo as well.

[ ] sunglasses

[ ] Remember to bring a vomit receptacle with a lid.

Final Steps

[ ] Make time for yourself before your surgery; pour a bath, light some candles, listen to some music--try to relax. Try to gather your thoughts and soothe your mind. Remember to shower with anti-bacterial soap, or an anti-microbial such as Hibiclens soap (www.cosmeticsurgeryshop.com) after your relaxing bath (see below).

[ ] The night before (and with some surgeons for 3 days before until surgery day) you will be asked to wash with Dial anti-bacterial or Hibiclens anti-microbial soap to help rid your body of the naturally occurring Staph bacteria found on the skin's surface.

[ ] Wash your hair the night before surgery, it may be a long time before you get to do that again. You may be instructed to wash your hair with Hibiclens (www.cosmeticsurgeryshop.com) or some other liquid anti-bacterial soap. This can really strip your hair so be prepared for lengthy, slow-combing afterwards.

[ ] Remove any fingernail and toenail polish. If you wear acrylics, ask your surgeon if you have to remove them. Oximeters gauge your blood gas levels and removing acrylics is usually not necessary, however be sure to ask!

[ ] Talk to your spouse about any concerns that you may have, they may have some insights or questions you haven't thought of, and they may be experiencing pre-op anxiety as well.

[ ] Last but not least, RELAX. If you are stressed out it can really affect your recovery. Try to remember that you will heal, you will be less sore and that you are going to look great! Just be patient.