General health is important to the success of any surgery. Once you have made the decision to proceed, you are encouraged to prepare yourself as far as possible in advance.
Establish and maintain an ideal weight by eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet. Particular attention should be given to adequate protein and multi vitamin intake. Vitamin C, especially, will ensure faster healing.
For two weeks before surgery and three weeks after, discontinue medication containing aspirin products such as Alka Seltzer, and other medicines such as Heparin or Motrin that produce blood thinning. Eliminating these medications reduces the risk of hematoma (collection of blood under the skin).
Absolutely do not smoke or drink alcohol two weeks before and two weeks after. Avoid being close to people who smoke, since you breathe their second hand smoke. Cigarette smoking produces hematoma, skin slough (partial damage, spots of dead skin) and delays healing.
Have a complete medical checkup with electrocardiogram by your physician, including complete blood count, platelets, pro thrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, complete urine and AIDS (HIV) tests. These tests may need to be repeated in Costa Rica before surgery if for any reason you are unable to bring copies of the results from your own doctor. Please include your complete medical record also.
An antibiotic (Augmentin, Ceclor 500 mg, or Ciproxina 500 mg.) will be prescribed twice a day beginning two days before surgery and continuing one week after surgery.
