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General Info MOTIVATION It is important that you examine carefully your reasons for undergoing surgery. Plastic surgery will not resolve any major life problems but should boost your confidence and self-esteem. If you have surgery to please someone else it will rarely be successful. If you are wishing to undergo Plastic surgery, try to gauge if your expectations are realistic. Your surgeon will advise you as to what can be achieved. You should consider your decision to undergo surgery part of your plan to improve your quality of life. RIGHTS TO SURGERY You should bear in mind that the right to surgery is a decision between you and your surgeon. If the surgeon does decline to carry out surgery it may be for the following reasons: 1. Unrealistic expectations 2. If improvements are unlikely 3. If the surgery is inappropriate 4. Surgery that will not allow you to conform to the average or normal. Most surgery is carried out to bring the patient within a broad range of average or normal criteria. It is therefore important if you have any specific wishes, that you make them clear at your initial consultation. THE EFFECTS OF SURGERY Every person is unique and the same operation may have varying results in some patients. Some people take longer to heal than others; some skins produce raised scars and others hardly any scars. This is due to different healing responses that cannot be unequivocally evaluated and predicted prior to surgery. You must remember this. When the outcomes do not meet your expectations, I am committed to dealing with any dissatisfaction or complaints sympathetically and speedily (usually within 2 weeks). KEEPING YOUR GP INFORMED The General Medical Council advises that your GP should be kept informed of ALL medical treatment that you undergo, and I strongly support this view. SMOKING Smoking will affect the outcome of your surgery. There is a significantly higher risk of post-operative pneumonia, wound infections and delayed healing as well as operative and post-operative bleeding. Some procedures are high risk and Mr Inglefield will not operate unless you have stopped smoking 3 weeks prior to your surgery. I recommend that you refrain from smoking for 2 weeks after your surgery or until all wounds have healed satisfactorily. For other procedures where the tissues are less vulnerable, if you cannot stop, at least try to cut down. If you need assistance in stopping then I will be happy to advise or see your General Practitioner. ALCOHOL I recommend that you do not consume more than 14 units (women) and 21 units (men) of alcohol per week. If you feel that you are drinking too much and need assistance in reducing this then please see your general practitioner or contact the AA. DIET It is important that you eat a healthy diet as part of your overall improvement in your health. If you are overweight, I recommend that you start on a weight reduction program. Weightwatchers or the Zone diet (www.zoneperfect.com) are excellent programs. You should avoid all white carbohydrates (refined flour products), sugar and "Low fat" foods. Your diet should contain lots of fruit, fresh and frozen vegetables, nuts, beans and herbs. Try always to eat three meals a day. Remember to drink 6 - 8 glasses of water daily. I advise taking daily supplements of: Vitamin C complex 1000mg Multivitamins & Minerals Vitamin E 400-800iu Fish oils caps 4 Calcium 1000mg Magnesium 500mg Zinc 50mg NB Stop vitamin E one week prior to surgery and for 2 weeks after. For Dietary assistance contact: Phaedra Dihimis, Consultant Dietitian 07710 724 638 EXERCISE Regular exercise should be part of your program to an overall improvement in your quality of life and a more youthful lifespan. I recommend that you aim to do 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise three times per week. The use of a personal trainer is beneficial to achieve your goals and avoiding injury. STRESS Stress is a major risk factor for reducing life expectancy. It is also associated with elevated blood pressure and therefore increased risks during anaesthesia. If you feel that your lifestyle is very stressful, I recommend that you take steps to remedy this. Yoga and other relaxation techniques are excellent in helping to reduce stress in your daily life. HRT All postmenopausal women should discuss the use of Hormone replacement with her General Practitioner or Gynaecologist. The benefits of HRT in enhancing the quality of life in significant. There may be risk factors that prevent you taking HRT. MEDICAL INSURANCE It is highly unlikely that Cosmetic Surgery will be covered by your Medical Insurance. However, if you feel that there are special circumstances that make you eligible for third party payment, please do discuss this with your surgeon at the initial consultation. ARNICA Arnica is a Homeopathic preparation that helps reduce bruising and swelling. It is available in many high- street chemists and Mr Inglefield recommends that you take Arnica for most surgical procedures. Instructions Start taking Arnica one (1) week prior to your operation. Take two (2) tablets three (3) times daily between meals. After your operation, continue taking Arnica; two (2) tablets three (3) times daily for approximately 2 to 3 weeks. Arnica cream is also available and can be applied every 4 hours by gentle rubbing into the treated area(s). NOTE: The tablets should be put directly under the tongue and allowed to dissolve. Avoid handling the tablets. |
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