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Please read carefully. If you have questions call the office at 303.872.5103.
- ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING for at least 2 weeks prior to your procedure and 2 weeks after our procedure.
- SHOWER: You may shower with lukewarm water the day AFTER surgery. Do not let the shower hit you directly on your face. GENTLY wash your face in the sink using ONLY soap and water (no cleansing creams). Pat dry gently with towel.
- MEDICATION(S): Take your medications as directed on the bottle. Please finish any antibiotics that have been prescribed. Continue all blood pressure, heart, and thyroid medications. Take any of your required medications at the usual time(s). Check with our staff regarding any medications in question, including those for Diabetes. NO ASPIRIN, IBUPROFEN, HERBS, DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS, OR OTHER MEDICATIONS ON THE "NO-NO LIST" for 2 weeks following your surgery.
- PAIN MEDICATIONS: Take your pain medications regularly for the first few days. It is easier to stay ahead of the discomfort than to play catch-up. We do not want you in a lot of unnecessary discomfort as it is important for you to be doing your deep breathing exercises, be up walking, and avoiding excessive elevation of your blood pressure. Pain medications may be stopped, if not needed, or substituted with Tylenol should you need something to take the edge off. Avoid taking your pain medications on an empty stomach. You may resume Ibuprofen after 2 weeks.
- CAREGIVER: You MUST have a caregiver for the first 24 hours after surgery.
- COMPRESSION STOCKINGS: Your surgical stockings may be removed once you are up and walking around regularly.
- ACTIVITY: We want you UP and MOVING the day after surgery. Walking is encouraged. Do not exercise to get your heart beating fast and hard for the first week after surgery. After one week, you may GRADUALLY increase your exercise. Remember to increase slowly.
- DEEP BREATHING: Ten big deep breaths every hour while you are awake! This exercise will open up the air sacs in your lungs to prevent post-operative fevers and pneumonias. This may seem trivial but we all tend to take shallow breaths when we are having discomfort. In addition, you have just had surgery on your chest and you are wearing a restrictive garment!
- SLEEPING/POSITIONING: Sleep on your back for the first week or so. We also recommend sleeping propped up or with the head of your bed elevated for the first week. This can help minimize/reduce your post-operative swelling. When you are less tender, you may sleep in whatever position is comfortable.
- DRIVING: You may resume driving once you are off narcotic pain medications and when you feel comfortable behind the wheel. Keep in mind that you must be able to maintain control of your vehicle should you need to swerve suddenly to miss an accident, have a blow-out, etc.
- CONSTIPATION: Take an over-the-counter stool softener (Colace or Peri-Colace) per the package instructions while you are taking the narcotic pain medication. Between a change in diet, decreased activity, and the narcotic pain medications, constipation is not uncommon. Have a low threshold for using a laxative (Dulcolax or Milk of Magnesia), suppository, or enema (also per package instructions) to get your system moving.
- ICE: We DO NOT recommend the use of ice packs. The normal blood supply to your skin has been disrupted with your surgery and your skin is very sensitive to decreased blood flow following surgery. Cooling the skin will further decrease the blood flow to your skin and the incision that is trying to heal.
- MINIMIZING SCARS: Minimize hyperpigmentation or darkening of the scar by avoiding sun exposureto the affected area while it is pink and healing—this may be as long as several months to over a year! Use a sunblock or sunscreen with SPF 45, protective clothing is helpful. There are few magic potions to eat, drink, or rub into your scar. Vitamin E, Cocoa Butter, Mederma, etc. are often thought to improve scars. These products may help but it is more likely that the massaging action helps to reduce swelling and scar firmness. Over-exuberant scar formation, such as scar hypertrophy or keloids, scar widening, or discoloration are uncommon but can be minimized or improved using various techniques. Some examples include the use of scar massage, silicone gel or sheeting, and/or steroid injection for firm, hypertrophic or keloid scars; tape support to the incision for scar widening; laser treatment of persistently pink scars; bleaching agents for hyperpigmented scars. We will instruct you on these techniques when appropriate.
- DIET: Clear liquids the first day you return home. Juice, tea soda, Jell-O, broth. The day after surgery eat soft foods only. No tough chewy foods for 1 week. Once you have passed gas and had a bowel movement you may have a regular diet.
- INCISIONS: You will have sutures and staples. LEAVE THEM ALONE. We will remove these at your scheduled follow-up appointments.
- JEWELERY: No earrings or necklaces for 2 WEEKS after surgery.
- SUN: Avoid sunlight for 3 WEEKS after surgery. Wear a hat. Wear sunglasses outdoors. Use sun block with SPF 45.
- SYMPTOMS: CALL THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY AT 303.872.5103 if you develop any of the following symptoms:
- Uneven or excessive swelling
- Excess pain or bruising
- Fever over 101°
- Chills
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In Our Patients' Own Words:
Thank you to Dr. Atagi and her staff. Each one of Dr. Atagi's staff made me feel as if I was their only and favorite patient. They monitored my healing and well-being as if I was a relative. Thank you for your support and friendship throughout my procedure.
- P. Murguia
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