Pre-operation Guidelines
Directions to the Boston Center
Local accommodations
Basic Pre-operation Timeline
For a detailed set of guidelines, please scroll down.
TODAY
- Stop Smoking
- Arrange Pre-Operative Testing, if Requested
- CBC (Complete Blood Count) if you are having liposuction or are over 50 years of age
- CBC and EKG if you are over 50 years of age
TWO WEEKS BEFORE SURGERY
- Stop Aspirin-like Drugs (click here for a detailed list)
- Stop Red Wine
- Stop Vitamin E
- Stop Green Tea
- Arrange Transportation to and from Facility
- Arrange Companion to accompany you home
- Color Hair (if needed)
THREE DAYS BEFORE SURGERY
- Begin Chlorhexidine mouthwashes
TWO DAYS BEFORE SURGERY
- Call to Verify Arrival Time
- Ask about Prescribed Medications
- Purchase Post-op Medications
DAY BEFORE SURGERY
- NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT
DAY OF SURGERY
- Leave Valuables at Home
- Bring medicines that you take on a daily basis.
- If you get migraine headaches, bring your medication.
- If you are diabetic, bring your glucometer and medication.
- Bring check for overnight nurse.
- No Make-up or jewelry.
- Bring Reading Glasses.
- Wear Comfortable Clothes – If you are having facial surgery, wear a shirt that does not pull over your head – you need one that that zips or buttons in front
- If you are having facial surgery, bring scarf to cover head or wear a jacket with a hood.
- Bring sunglasses if you are having eyelid surgery
- Report to 170 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 101, Boston, MA 02116
Detailed Pre-operation Guidelines
TODAY
- STOP SMOKING. If you are smoker, your planned surgery is an excellent impetus to stop. Smoking delays wound healing, which may compromise the result of your surgery. It also impairs your cardiovascular and respiratory systems. You should quit four to six weeks prior to your planned surgery, and you must quit at least two weeks before your planned surgery.
- Arrange to have any preoperative testing requested by your surgeon to be performed so that the results will be available two weeks prior to surgery. The attached prescription will inform your physician or hospital laboratory what tests are required. The results should be forwarded immediately to your plastic surgeon.
TWO WEEKS BEFORE SURGERY
- Stop taking aspirin or ibuprofen-containing products for two weeks prior to surgery and two weeks following surgery. These products may cause bleeding. Many other products, such as Bufferin, Anacin, and Advil contain aspirin or ibuprofen. A list of aspirin and ibuprofen-containing drugs which you must avoid is included. Tylenol (acetominophen) may be used as a substitute. Click here for a list.
- Avoid red wines for two weeks prior to surgery, because they may give you a tendency to bleed and increase bruising.
- As you will be sedated during surgery, it is necessary for you to have someone you know pick you up from The Boston Center. Unless you have made arrangements to spend the evening after surgery at the Boston Center, it is important to have someone spend the first postoperative evening with you. Please make arrangements, as we cannot discharge you without an escort.
THREE DAYS BEFORE SURGERY
- Begin Chlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12% oral rinse if you are undergoing facial implant surgery or midface lift. Rinse with ½ ounce twice daily – spit out after use. Start 3 days before surgery. Dispense 1 pint (473 ml).
TWO DAYS BEFORE SURGERY
- Please call (617) 726-5280 two days prior to surgery. Ask for the nurse to verify with you the preoperative instructions and confirm your arrival time for surgery. Be sure to ask the nurse if you should take or bring in your daily prescribed medications. Have post-op medications prescribed by your plastic surgeon filled by your pharmacist.
DAY BEFORE SURGERY
- It is imperative that you have NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT OF THE EVENING BEFORE SURGERY unless otherwise advised by your surgeon. Wash your hair with your usual shampoo the night before surgery.
DAY OF SURGERY
- Take your usual prescription medications with a sip of water the morning of surgery. If you take insulin, discuss the appropriate dose with your surgeon preoperatively.
- Please report to 170 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 101, Boston, MA 02116 on the day of surgery. The surgical entrance is located below street level, not to be confused with 170 Commonwealth Avenue, which is above street level. Allow yourself ample travel time so that you arrive at the scheduled time for your surgery.
- Please leave all valuables and non-essential jewelry at home.
- DO NOT WEAR ANY MAKE-UP, FINGERNAIL POLISH, ARTIFICIAL FINGERNAILS, OR ARTIFICIAL EYELASHES on the day of surgery, as this will interfere with surgery and cause delay.
- For your comfort, we suggest wearing shirts which button down the front and low-heeled, comfortable shoes. If you are having facial surgery, we advise you to bring a scarf and dark glasses.
- Bring reading glasses so that you can fill out forms. Do not wear contact lenses.
- You may shower the morning of surgery and wash your hair with your usual shampoo.