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FAQ's - Frequently
Asked Questions about Cosmetic Surgery
What should I expect from my
initial consultation?
What should I do to prepare for surgery?
What should I expect on the day
of my surgery?
What are the General Surgical Risks?
And why should I worry be informed about them?
What Should I
Expect After the Surgery?
What Should I Expect During the
Healing Process?
How do I know how to tell who
is a qualified surgeon? What do all of the certifications mean?
What are my Payment Options? What
are you Financial Policies?
What should I expect from
my initial consultation?
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Registration |
We ask that you provide us with basic information for
our administrative records as well as information about your past
medical and surgical history. |
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Surgeon |
Dr. Morales will discuss your desires and expectations
together with you. He will then examine you and give his opinion
regarding how best to achieve your goals. We believe in your need to
be well informed about the entire process of preparing for,
undergoing and recovering from plastic surgery. |
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Photography |
Photographs are used to both plan the procedure and to
maintain a record from which the final result can be evaluated.
Photographs are usually taken during your initial consultation and
again post-operatively. |
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Education |
In addition to your discussion with Dr. Morales and
his Scheduling Coordinator, you may choose to watch a video prepared
by the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
(ASPRS) or you may wish to read a brochure prepared by the ASPRS. |
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Cost/Scheduling |
When you meet with the Scheduling Coordinator, she
will discuss fees. If you have a specific date in mind, we will do
our best to accommodate you. If you are still in the information
gathering stage, she will see to it that all of your questions are answered. |
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What should I do to
prepare for surgery?
What should I be doing now?
If you are interested in cosmetic surgery here are a
few things you can start doing now to prepare yourself and your body
for the procedure.
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Stop Smoking |
Smoking reduces blood circulation to the skin and
impairs the healing process. |
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Do Not Take Aspirin |
or Ibuprofen - Also, stop taking any medications which
contain aspirin or ibuprofen at least 3 weeks prior to surgery. These
drugs may cause bleeding problems both during and after surgery. Use
medications that contain acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead. |
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Take Vitamin C & E |
Take 500mg twice daily to promote healing. |
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Get Active |
Regular exercise not only helps your body heal faster,
it also |
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What Should I do the day
before surgery?
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Fill your Prescriptions |
You will be given prescriptions, at your preoperative
visit, for pain medication and possibly a sleeping medication and/or
an antibiotic. Please have your prescriptions filled BEFORE the day
of surgery and bring them with you on the day of surgery. |
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Cleansing |
The night before surgery shower and shampoo, and wash
the surgical areas well for a full 5 minutes. Do not use hair
conditioners or hair sprays. |
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Eating and Drinking |
Do not eat or drink anything after 12:00 midnight the
night before surgery. This includes water. The hospital or surgical
center will contact you the day before with more specific
instructions. If you take daily medication such as high blood
pressure or heart medications you may take them with a sip of water
in the early morning prior to surgery. |
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What should I do the
morning of surgery?
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Oral Hygiene |
You may brush your teeth but do not swallow any of the water. |
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Make-Up |
Please do not wear moisturizers, creams, lotions or make-up |
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Clothing |
Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing that does not
go over your head. Do not wear hairpins, wigs, or jewelry. Do not
bring valuables with you. |
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What should I expect on
the day of my surgery?
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Check In/Preparation |
Report to the surgical facility as directed by our
office with your prescribed medication. Dr. Morales will see you
before surgery to discuss any last minute questions you may have. You
should plan to arrive at least one hour prior to your scheduled time
of surgery. A parent or a legal guardian must accompany patients
under the age of 18. |
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Family Members |
If family members are present in the waiting room, Dr.
Morales will make every effort to talk with them after surgery. |
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Operating Suite |
Going to the operating room is not a normal experience
for most people. Dr. Morales and his staff recognize that this
anxiety is natural as most people approach this step in the process
of achieving their goals. A description of the surgical experience
will be helpful to increase your understanding of this event.
After checking in to the surgical facility you will
proceed to the preoperative holding area. You will change into a
surgical gown. The pre-operative nurse will go over your consent and
medical questionnaire. Dr. Morales and the anesthesiologist, if
scheduled, will meet with you in the pre-operative holding area. At
this time final surgical planning will take place. Basic preparation
including drawing on your skin, if needed, will take place at this
time. The anesthesiologist will place an intravenous line in your arm
at this time.
Once you enter the operating room, the operating room
staff will do their best to make you feel comfortable and secure. To
ensure your safety the staff will connect you to monitoring devices.
Medicine that makes you drowsy will be given through the intravenous line. |
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Recovery Room |
When your surgery is completed and the dressings are
in place, you will be moved to the recovery room. You will stay
connected to monitoring equipment. During this time a fully trained
recovery room nurse will remain with you. Your stay in the recovery
room will depend on the length of your surgery but generally lasts
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