Planning Your Surgery

Preoperative Period

After the initial consultation, the next step is the preoperative period. You will meet with Dr. Weinberg’s staff, including his registered nurse, and go over in detail the schedule of events leading up to your surgery and the day of surgery. Depending on the procedure, there may be a few preoperative tests such as blood work that will need to be done. If you are having a procedure under general anesthetic, you may have an evaluation with the anesthetist prior to your procedure. In the weeks leading up to your surgery, Dr. Weinberg and his staff offer the following tips:

• Continue regular exercise. Fitness helps surgical recovery.
• Don’t take aspirin, anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, vitamin E, or green tea, or herbal remedies such as Ginkgo biloba, as these are all blood thinners.
• Do not smoke. Smoking increases risks of surgery and negatively affects healing, as it can result in poor blood supply to tissues.
• Do not drink alcohol as it can interfere with the anesthetic.
• Take your usual medications.

Advise our staff of any change in your health, including the development of a cold or flu. Dr. Weinberg and the staff will evaluate whether any health issue is significant.

The Day Before Surgery

Before you know it, it will be the day before your surgery. You will want to call the clinic to confirm the time of your procedure and the time you should arrive, which is usually one and a half hours beforehand. Ideally you should pick up any postoperative medication and dressings Dr. Weinberg has recommended, and you should pack your bag for the day of surgery. The staff will advise you that you should not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before surgery, including water, candy, and gum.

The Day of Surgery

Your big day has finally arrived! No doubt you will be excited at the prospect of the new you, but naturally you may be a bit nervous. Just remember that Dr. Weinberg and his staff will be there to ensure you feel comfortable and make sure the entire day runs smoothly. Remember that only fully qualified anesthetists and registered nurses assist Dr. Weinberg in the operating room, and their main concern at all times is your safety and the success of your surgery, so take a big breath, relax, and enjoy the ride!

Instructions for the day of your plastic surgery procedure include:

• Shower and shampoo your hair.
• Take your usual medications with sips of water (provided Dr. Weinberg and the anesthetist have said it’s appropriate).
• Take a specially designed “cocktail” of pain medication before your surgery. Pre-medicating in this way has been shown to markedly reduce postoperative discomfort.
• Wear comfortable clothing that fits loosely. Patients who are having liposuction should bring a support garment, such as Spanx®, to wear after surgery.
• Leave all valuables at home if possible.
• Do not wear makeup.

Most surgical patients are encouraged to wear support stockings, obtained from the clinic, during and after their surgery, and these can be put on the morning of surgery at the clinic. You will need transportation to and from the clinic by a friend or family member, and you’ll need a responsible adult to stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.

Right After Surgery

Immediately after surgery you will be closely observed and monitored by Dr. Weinberg, the anesthetist, and our registered nurses. You will wake up and recover in our beautiful, airy, and sun-filled recovery room with a view of the back garden. Depending on the procedure you have undergone, you may require medication to minimize discomfort. Sometimes people are anxious about this aspect of cosmetic surgery.

At Mississauga Cosmetic Surgery Clinic and Toronto Plastic Surgery Clinic, it is our mandate to ensure as comfortable a recovery as possible. After surgery, we offer our patients the Pain Pump, an innovative device that provides a pleasant cosmetic surgery experience. This is a small device that is about the size of your hand that contains the pain medication Bupivacaine. Small tubes implanted in the surgical site during surgery continuously feed the medication from the device directly to the surgical wound. This continues for the first 24 hours after the surgery, numbing the area such that patients usually require much less, if any, oral pain medication. The pump can then be disposed of.

When you are fully recovered, the staff will assist you in getting ready to leave the clinic. You will get full instructions for the postoperative period from the staff prior to surgery, and a complete set of written instructions will be provided upon your departure later that day. Modern surgical and anesthetic techniques have so revolutionized patient recovery times that in the vast majority of cases, patients can be discharged the same day and recuperate in the comfort of their own homes!

The Postoperative Period

The recovery time after surgery will vary from procedure to procedure. General tips include taking it easy, pampering yourself, and letting others pamper you. In general, patients cannot drive for 24 hours. Water and simple bland food is recommended for the first day.

You will have received detailed instructions regarding dressings and medication, but if you have any questions at all, Dr. Weinberg and the clinic staff are always reachable. Dr. Weinberg prides himself on exceptional availability to his patients during the post-op period and encourages patients to call immediately if they have any concerns. His registered nurses are also available, knowledgeable, and pleased to help patients through any issues that arise during recovery. Regular postoperative follow-up appointments, typically within the first 2 weeks and again at 6 weeks, and close ongoing contact with the clinic will be arranged throughout this time to ensure optimum results.

Request Your Consultation

Dr. Weinberg looks forward to meeting with you and helping you achieve your aesthetic goals. To get started, request an appointment online or call our office at (905) 273-3045 (Mississauga) or (416) 207-9090 (Toronto).