Prepare for Your Procedure

Whether it’s surgical or minimally invasive, each procedure requires both physical and mental preparation. Dr. Cohen and her knowledgable staff will provide you with a plan specific to your procedure, but there are several things you can do to ensure the best result.

Two Weeks Before Your Procedure:

Stop smoking tobacco. Smoking can negatively affect the healing process by weakening your immune system and constricting blood flow.

Avoid certain over-the-counter medications. Aspirin, Advil, Ibuprofen, Aleve, and any medications that contain Vitamin E have blood thinning properties which can increase bleeding during surgery. For pain management, you may use Tylenol in the weeks leading up to your surgery.

Discuss prescription medications and vitamins. During your consultation, discuss any prescription medicine you are taking to ensure it will not affect your surgery. If you want to improve your immune system and general health for your surgery by taking multi-vitamins, probiotics, or natural supplements, you should mention them to Dr. Cohen.

Three Days Before Your Procedure:

Stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol weakens the immune system and can increase bleeding.

Eat healthy foods and rest. Make sure your diet includes plenty of water, fruits, vegetables, and protein to maximize your body’s healing capacity. Aim to get adequate sleep prior to your procedure so your body is rested.

Arrange your post-operative care. Have someone to drive you home after your appointment and support you for the first 24 hours following your procedure. Fill any necessary prescriptions and have them within reach of your recovery space.

Day of Your Procedure:

Know what you can and can’t consume. If your procedure takes place at the clinic, you can eat regular meals. If your procedure is at the hospital, you must not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. You may take blood pressure medication with a sip of water the morning of the surgery.

Know how and when to get there. If your procedure is at the clinic, you can drive yourself and show up 15 minutes before the surgery. If your procedure is at the hospital, you need someone available to drive you, and you must arrive two hours prior to your scheduled appointment.

Wear appropriate clothing. If you will be having surgery, you should wear loose-fitting clothing that is easy to remove. Do not wear any makeup, perfume, or jewelry.

Exercise. If you hoped to fit in a run or trip to the gym, you will want to do that before you come for your procedure. Even for procedures performed in the office, you will be advised not to engage in cardiac exercise for 24 hours.