Patient Resources
Dr. Brooke R. Seckel
It is important that we know how to contact you. We will obtain your contact information but it is important that we know how you wish us to communicate with you and that we have your permission on record. Please copy, fill out and either email the form to us or bring it with you to your appointment.
Once you have scheduled your surgery we may ask you to have your primary care physician send us a letter of medical clearance for surgery. If you have a history of medical illness, are over 55 years old and or are taking prescription medications for a medical illness we request that you see your primary care physician and obtain medical clearance to have elective plastic surgery. Most doctors are used to providing this letter but below are the essential features of the letter we require. You may print the form below to take to your doctor. All patients over 55 years old are also required to have a recent EKG or Electrocardiogram to have sent to us before your pre op visit.
It is very important to have someone who can help you with your daily activities after surgery. This can be a spouse, significant other, parent, or friend but especially the first day or 2 after surgery you need someone to be with you. Although many plastic surgery procedures are outpatient or ambulatory procedures after which you may go home, you must be accompanied by someone or you will not be able to leave the hospital and will need to be admitted. It is a Hospital rule that if you have had anesthesia or if you are taking narcotic pain medications you may not leave the hospital unless accompanied by someone who can be with you.
Eat a healthy diet low in saturated fats, high in complex carbohydrates and fiber, with healthy colorful vegetables and fruits and avoid rich spicy foods and foods that are high in salt and sodium. High salt or sodium intake makes your body withhold water in the tissues and can lead to increased swelling after surgery. You want to approach your procedure with good healthy nutritional support.
Nicotine in any form whether tobacco or nicotine patches should be fastidiously avoided ideally 5 weeks before elective plastic surgery. Nicotine causes spasm and constriction of blood vessels and robs your skin of blood supply. This could have disastrous consequences for a facelift, tummy tuck or any procedure that involves lifting the skin. If you are a smoker you may be tested for nicotine metabolites in your blood prior to surgery.
Excessive alcohol intake can cause fluid retention, disturbance of liver function and disturbance of brain function. You want to approach your surgery in your best health and should avoid excessive alcohol intake at least 2 weeks prior to your surgery.
There are many over-the-counter medications that people take often on a daily basis that can cause bleeding after surgery. A partial list of medications that you should stop taking 2 weeks prior to your surgery is: