Let’s face it- having surgery is scary. You want to know everything you can about it and be prepared. (Yes, I was a Girl Scout and am a Girl Scout Troop leader, so I like the being prepared thing.) Patients scour the internet before doing a surgery for all sorts of information. There is great information on the internet- websites, chat rooms, and information pages. They talk with friends. And then I get the calls. Should I get arnica/a walker/a surgical bed/what scar cream/a special surgical bra/ a wedge pillow?
Breathe.
I get surgery is scary. I get that you will have a couple surgeries during your lifetime. Please know this is my job, and I have been doing it for over twenty years. I have a super small practice and focus on one on one attention, so I can walk you through all of this. Please know recommendations for post operative care can differ between doctors because they may do the procedure differently (For example, for a breast augmentation do you use a textured implant or smooth round implant? Is the implant behind or in front of the muscle?). They may differ because of the surgeon’s experience. They may differ because of scientific findings of best practices.
For my patients? Please listen to my information. If you have questions or it differs from something a friend told you, please ask me about it.
I have a blog with over 700 blogs. I meet with you personally. I am give you a printed folder with everything in it- what to do before surgery, when you need to do it, what tests you need, what the day of surgery looks like, what recovery looks like. I buy most of the garments you need (except for breast reduction bras, because I cannot stock all those sizes, but I will give you a sheet on the one to get). I include scar cream in your surgery quote and give it to you at your second post op visit.
Listed below are some common questions. My recommendations are for my patients. (Again, if you are not my patient you should ask your doctor what they think.)
- Herbal medications like arnica and bromelain: Why? They can help lower swelling and bruising. My thoughts? It’s fine for most surgeries, though many surgeries have little swelling and bruising. There are some indications it can impair fat grafting survival, so I don’t recommend it for fat grafting patients.
- “Post op recovery” medication, powders, or drinks: Why? The wellness industry want to make you buy some more niche super expensive stuff. My thoughts? NO. Herbals can have other properties. Many of these include “anti inflammatory” or “antioxidant” things, which may lead to BLEEDING. Did you know fish oil, omega, flax seed, collagen, Vitamin E, pills of ginger and garlic have all been shown to increase bleeding? These may be okay with a tiny knee scope, but would be terrible for a surgery like a breast lift or tummy tuck.
- Probiotics. Why? You will be on antibiotics around the time of surgery, which can kill of the “good” bacteria along with the bad. My thoughts? I love it! It’s on my sheet of diet recommendations you get in your packet.
- Vitamins. Why? They can help you heal. My thoughts? For most of my patients, a diet rich in protein (go red meat! if you eat it) and whole foods is good. If you have any issues with healing, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and zinc are good to add. Again, in my sheet of diet recommendations you get.
- A surgical bra: Why? Because it seems like something you should buy. My thoughts? Most surgical bras aren’t good bras- they can be expensive, and they don’t give great support.
-
- For my breast augmentations, I use a breast band following surgery which I provide. I don’t use bras for a month with breast augmentation to help with the natural softness, movement, and feel of the breast implant.
- For my breast reductions, I love a solid underwire sport bra. I will give you examples of what I like. An underwire is fine for my reductions as I do the short scar technique, so I don’t have the giant scar under the breast, and it is just a better bra.
-
- A recovery bed: Why? Especially with a larger surgery like a tummy tuck, where you should stay bent at the waist, many want a surgical bed to help them position well. My thoughts? No. It is super expensive to get, and it is maybe useful for 3-4 days and then you just don’t need it. For my tummy tucks I use Exparel, a long acting injection I put into the muscle sheath during surgery, which really reduces post-operative pain. You moving and getting out of bed is important to avoid a blood clot.
- A wedge pillow: Why? To keep your head elevated (face surgery, eyelid surgery), keep your breasts elevated (any breast surgery, to reduce swelling), or for a tummy tuck to keep bent at the waist. My thoughts? If you are gung ho to get something (and for sure I don’t think this is crucial), this is one to consider. They range in price from $45-$150. Otherwise, I recommend just stacking your pillows.
- A walker: Why? When you do a tummy tuck you need to stay bent at the waist for the week or two after surgery. My thoughts? Most of my patients just walk hunched over or use hiking/ ski poles. If you are prone to getting dizzy, you will be getting out of bed alone so you need more stability, or you just want to stock up on walkers before your golden years, this is one you could do. Again, I don’t recommend it to my patients because most of them would use it for 3-4 days and then not need it. The Exparel really helps with the pain and you “evolve” to standing pretty quickly. You can get a basic walker for about $30.
- A chair which helps lift you: Rental. Why? It helps you stand up. My thoughts? I originally thought no, but one of my patients recently rented this, and it wasn’t super expensive (it was $100 a week, with a delivery fee on top) and she said to me that she doesn’t have a lot of help at home, and she really liked having it. She rented it from Bischoffs Medical.
- Scar cream: Why? When you have a scar make it as pretty as you can! My thoughts? YES. But for my patients I provide the scar cream as part of your surgery. I recommend liquid silicone- it did best in a trial comparing scar treatments.
As I stated above, ASK ME. I am always evolving in my recommendations, so if you find something cool on the internet or from a friend, run it by me. But otherwise, let us guide you and don’t buy a bunch of stuff you don’t need or could impair your recovery. I do think some of these things are usually a no for me (think: tummy tuck and a wedge pillow, surgical bed, lifting chair, or walker) BUT if you are single or have little help from your significant other, they are things which will help you get out of bed and be more stable out of bed.