Preparation

1. Stay healthy. Optimal health is crucial for any elective surgery, including cosmetic procedures. Therefore, it's your responsibility to maintain the best possible health status and seek medical clearance from your doctor. Be sure to inform your doctor about the surgical procedures you're planning to undergo.
2. Disclose your health history and previous surgeries. If you have any known underlying illnesses or previous surgeries related, it's important to disclose this information to me well in advance of the surgery.
3. Provide a comprehensive list of medications you're currently taking, as well as any known allergies to drugs or other substances.
4. You must not be pregnant. For ladies, please make sure that you are not pregnant.
5. If possible, please stop dietary supplements such as Ginkgo, herbs and mixing herbal medications for at least four weeks before surgery. These matters have not been sufficiently studied in medical research to determine their effects on patients undergoing surgery.
6. Stop blood-thinning agents such as aspirin and plavix, as well as anticoagulants like warfarin, at least one week prior to your surgery and 1 day after the surgery. However, it's crucial to consult your doctor to ensure it's safe to temporarily cease these medications.
7. Continue taking all other medications for your existing conditions as prescribed, even on the surgery day.
8. Beware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Caucasians are at a higher risk of developing DVT. Therefore, it’s recommended that patients stay well-hydrated, engage in frequent movement during their journey to Bangkok, and wear suitable anti-embolism stockings if available.
9. Your health will be assessed through laboratory tests. These tests are essential for surgeries performed under general anesthesia and intravenous sedation. They include blood tests, possibly a chest X-ray, an electrocardiogram, and if you are elderly, you will need to see an internist. These tests are a safety measure and will be conducted when you arrive in Bangkok, or you can have these tests done within one month before surgery at a nearby hospital and submit the official reports.
10. It is strongly recommended to have a companion with you, especially if you are undergoing surgery with anesthesia that puts you to sleep or requires a hospital stay. They can help take care of you after the surgery in various matters and assist in asking questions and remembering the doctor's advice.
11. It’s strongly recommended to abstain from smoking or consuming nicotine for at least four weeks before and after surgery. This is because nicotine can impede the healing process and reduce blood supply to the skin.
12. Avoid alcohol before surgery Alcohol is a burden on the body that needs to be broken down, rather than allowing the body to use its resources to repair the surgical site and fight infections. Therefore, all types of alcohol should be avoided for at least 2 weeks before surgery and at least 1 month after surgery.
13. The use of Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) for acne should be discontinued at least one month prior to surgery. This is to prevent complications such as delayed wound healing and abnormal scarring.
14. For procedures requiring general anesthesia or IV sedation, it's necessary to refrain from eating and drinking for at least six hours prior to the surgery. Your last meal before this fasting period should be a light one.
15. Remove all jewelry from your body, including nose, ears, arms, hands, nails, navel, genital area, etc. Additionally, you must have at least one fingernail and one toenail without nail polish for measuring blood oxygen levels during surgery.

Last updated - January 19, 2024