Patient guide

Before surgery

All medical conditions and your full medical history must be disclosed to the surgeon — note them on the medical form and discuss them at consultation. Make sure the surgeon knows every medication you are taking or have taken recently.

Tell the surgeon in particular if you have had:

• An allergy or a bad reaction to antibiotics, anaesthetic drugs or other medicine
• Prolonged bleeding, poor scarring or excessive bruising
• Any recent or long-term illness
• A connective-tissue disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Previous surgery of any kind
• Psychological or psychiatric illness

Do not take aspirin, medicines containing aspirin, or anti-inflammatory medicines for at least ten days before surgery: they increase the risk of excessive bleeding. Smoking should be stopped at least two weeks before surgery.

The general risks of surgery

Risks are minimised by careful patient selection and by having experienced surgeons, physicians and nurses carry out the procedures. Even so, complications can occur. They are rare, and most patients have none — but if you have concerns, discuss them with your doctor before you book.

You are at increased risk if you have diabetes, poor circulation, heart, lung or liver disease, if you smoke, if there is a family history of blood clots, or if you take certain medications. All of this must be disclosed before treatment is booked.

• Bruising and swelling — usually settling in one to two weeks, sometimes taking a month or more
• Wounds that take longer to heal, some bleeding, or infection requiring antibiotics
• A chest infection after general anaesthesia
• In extremely rare cases, a blood clot, which is dangerous if it travels to the heart, brain or lungs
• A sore throat from the breathing tube used during anaesthesia
• Scars that are pink, raised and irregular in a small number of patients — these flatten and fade over time

Recovery, in general terms

Pain is experienced differently by different people: some describe an ache, others more discomfort. Pain medication is prescribed after every operation. Procedures that involve tightening or elevating muscle — a breast augmentation, for example — cause moderate discomfort in the first days.

How long recovery takes depends on the procedure and on the individual. Most patients need help for the first two days. Specific timescales are given for each procedure, and are approximations rather than promises.

All patients are encouraged to start slow walking on the second post-operative day. Regular aerobic and more vigorous activity is not allowed during the first two weeks, to reduce the risk of bleeding, swelling and bruising. Weight lifting and contact sports are usually permitted at one month.

Antibiotics and insurance

Antibiotics are used where a procedure may release bacteria into the bloodstream. Cosmetic surgery is considered elective surgery and is not covered by most insurance policies.