Preoperative Education

Pre-op Shopping List

  • Tylenol Extra Strength (500 mg tabs) – which is available over the counter.
  • Gravol (in case of nausea) – you may take this at any time during your recovery period
  • Dulcolax or Colace (laxative) may be taken after your surgery for constipation.
  • Gel ice packs (or small bags of frozen peas to reduce swelling).

Pre-Operative Instructions

  1. If your health changes or you develop a cough, cold, flu or any other illnesses in the week before your operation, please inform our office as soon as possible.
  2. Stop all blood thinner medications two weeks before surgery. If you are on prescription blood thinners please make sure that Dr. Mahoney is aware of your medications. Examples include: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil, Coumadin, Warfarin, Plavix.
  3. Stop all Vitamin E and supplements two weeks before surgery, as some of these supplements may interfere with the healing process. Examples include: omega-3, fish oil, ginko, garlic, ginseng, garlic, flax oil, St. John’s wort and echinacea.
  4. Do not drink any alcohol during the week leading up to your surgery and for a period of 2 weeks after surgery. Alcohol may interfere with medications and affect your healing.
  5. Do not smoke, use nicotine patches or gum for 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after your surgery, as nicotine will delay healing and increase the risk of complications.
  6. Wash thoroughly in the bath or shower the night before surgery and again in the morning of your surgery. Do not use any lotions or creams on the body for 24 hours before surgery.
  7. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure. This includes water.
  8. Wear comfortable clothing and leave all valuables and jewelry at home. Wear a top that buttons or zips up the front so you don’t have to pull anything over your head.
  9. Please do not wear nail polish, make-up or moisturizer on the day of surgery.
  10. If you are undergoing breast surgery, review with Dr. Mahoney if you need to bring a comfortable sports bra to surgery.
  11. Please feel free to call us with any questions you may have about preparing for your surgery.
pre-op instructions
post-op instructions

Post-operative Education

Post-Operative Instructions

  1. When you go home, it is important that a relative or friend spends the first night with you.
  2. Mahoney will discuss bathing/showering specific to your procedure.
  3. Supplemental Vitamin C, Zinc, and a high protein diet are useful adjuncts to aid in healing.
  4. For pain, you can take Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) as prescribed on the bottle as needed. If other stronger pain medication has been prescribed by Dr. Mahoney, only use as prescribed.
  5. Do Not Smoke. This will impact healing and increase the complication rate.
  6. Do not undertake any exercises or heavy lifting for at least two weeks after the surgery. Mahoney will review your postop restrictions and time frame.
  7. It is normal to feel a little dizzy and drowsy after an operation. Therefore, you must not drive a car or perform any task that requires coordination or judgment for at least 24 hours following your anaesthetic.
  8. After your initial post-operative appointment, you may have a bath or shower daily.  Gently pat dry any incisions after bathing. If you have steri-strip tapes, they should remain in place, but if some of them peel off in the shower it is not a concern.  Gently pat dry these areas with a towel after your shower and re-apply the dressing as instructed.