Posted on March 22, 2024
This is from my surgical center regarding Covid testing before plastic surgery. They base their recommendations on community standards and guidelines. Patients should be sure to follow all of their specific provider’s advice when preparing for plastic surgery.
Bottom line?
- No more Covid testing pre surgery for everyone. IF YOU ARE SICK, please DO an at home test to see if you are positive. If you show up to the surgery center with signs of sickness, they will do a test there. If you are positive you will be postponed.
If you have a documented Covid infection prior to surgery:
- VACCINATED PATIENTS, the time delay following infection (positive test date) for scheduling surgery is as follows:
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- No to minimal symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, headache-No fever, or lower respiratory symptoms such as cough) MINIMUM WAITING: 14 days
- Moderate symptoms (Cough, fever, muscle aches) MINIMUM WAITING: 6 weeks
- Severe symptoms (breathing problems, hospitalization) MINIMUM WAITING: 12 weeks
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- For UNVACCINATED Patients
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- No to moderate symptoms, WAITING 7 weeks
- Severe symptoms: WAITING 12 weeks
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“As always, the clinical condition will dictate when it is appropriate to undergo surgery. The following guidelines are the minimum times. Patients must be fully recovered and appropriate for surgery prior to the procedure.”