List of Chores to Complete Before Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is becoming more popular among men and women. Surgical techniques continue to develop, resulting in a more comfortable recovery period for patients. In addition, there are steps patients can take to improve the post-operative period. One thing patients should do before plastic surgery is get ahead on chores. Here is a list of chores that patients should complete before their surgical appointments.

• Grocery Shopping: Before going in for surgery, patients should get everything they need at the grocery for the next week or two. Although they will be able to move around some, they will likely be on prescription painkillers and therefore unable to drive themselves to the grocery store. Healthy snacks like fresh fruit, raw vegetables, nuts, and lean chicken and fish are favorable options. Stay away from salty, processed foods that will cause swelling. Multivitamins are a plus.
• Drug Store or Pharmacy: Pick up all your prescription medications before hand. The day of surgery, you will be sedated and distracted and unlikely to remind whoever is driving you home from surgery. In addition to any prescriptions you have, pick up some acetaminophen (Tylenol) to supplement as a painkiller. You may also need an ice pack and compression garments. Mild soap is good idea good for bathing. If you want to try a topical treatment for bruising and swelling, Arnica Montana may be available.
• Clean the House: It is important to clean the house beforehand. It will make you feel more comfortable while you are trying to rest. Patients are discouraged from cleaning or doing any vigorous chores in the first week after surgery; cleaning beforehand will remove the temptation of cleaning while you are still swollen and vulnerable to injury. Be sure to sanitize your bath, shower, kitchen surfaces, and any other place that puts you at risk for infection. Be sure to vacuum, sweep, and dust. 
• Laundry: Laundry is an important step because clothing comes into direct contact with your skin. Your clothes, sheets, pillowcases, towels, and washcloths all need to be clean and dry before you go in for surgery. It is best to use mild detergents and minimal fabric softeners because fragrance and residue can be very irritating to the skin. To minimize work for you after surgery, fold all the laundry and put it away. Be sure to have loose comfortable clothing on hand. If your couch has a cover on it, wash that too.
• Bills and Mail: Take care of your monthly bills before going in for surgery. This is important because it is possible that you will forget otherwise. If you do not forget, you will be stressing when you should be resting and recouping. Get your desk organized and try to avoid it for the duration of your recovery, unless you enjoy being on the computer.
• Pre-made Meals: Get a few days’ worth of cooking done ahead of time. Your mobility will be limited after surgery and it is more cost efficient to eat meals at home than it is to order take out. It is also a lot healthier, since you should be avoiding excess salts anyway. Make things that are easily assembled and microwavable, or can be eaten cold. Be sure to get protein in with every meal and take a multivitamin once a day. Drink plenty of water.

To schedule a plastic surgery consultation, contact Jefferson Plastic Surgery.