Preparing yourself for surgery
Medication
At all times, before your surgical procedure:
Continue taking your contraceptive pill if it applies to you;
Continue taking your antidepressants and your neuroleptics;
Take without risk acetaminophen (Atasol®, Tylenol®, Paracetamol®, Doliprane®).
Medications to cease
You have the responsibility to verify if all the medications you are taking contain one of the products mentioned below. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
2 weeks before the surgical procedure, cease:
natural health products
homeopathic products
vitamins
products containing garlic (allicin)
10 days before the surgical procedure, cease:
acetylsalicylic acid such as Aspirin® and any other product containing acetylsalicylic acid;
anti-inflammatory drugs (unless otherwise advised by your doctor or surgeon) such as Advil®, Ibuprofen®, Celebrex®, Indocid®, Motrin®, Naprosyn®, Orudis®, Vioxx®, Voltaren®, etc.;
cold and flu medications such as Tylenol Sinus®, Advil Sinus®, Reactine®, cough syrup, etc.
If you are taking heart, blood pressure, and/or diabetes medications, continue to take them until the day of your surgery. To find out whether or not you should take them on the morning of the day of the surgery, refer to the section “On the day of surgery – Medication the day of surgery” on page 8 of this document.
Tobacco
We recommend that you stop smoking cigarettes and/or electronic cigarettes containing nicotine and nicotine products at least 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after your surgery. Nicotine and toxic substances in tobacco can constrict small blood vessels and therefore
slow down the healing of your wounds and thus increase the risk of wound infection;
increase the risk of respiratory problems and pneumonia after the operation;
cause nausea, vomiting and excessive coughing upon getting up, which increases the risk of bleeding after surgery
! Nicotine substitutes (Nicorette® or others) are also contraindicated during this period since they have the same harmful effects as cigarettes.
Cannabis
Cannabis can be consumed for medical purposes under prescription. In certain contexts, its use may be authorized. However, smoking cannabis, like smoking cigarettes, contributes to damage to your respiratory system and may interfere with your postoperative recovery. Since no study confirms a safe threshold for cannabis use in the preoperative and postoperative periods, the safest approach is not to use it. If you are using cannabis for the relief of a health problem, please discuss this with your surgeon.
Alcohol
Stop all alcohol consumption two weeks before and three weeks after surgery. Mixing alcohol and drugs can cause unpredictable side reactions.
Hair dye
It is important to avoid applying hair dye ten (10) days before and thirty (30) days after a facelift surgery.
Plan now for your return home
Transportation and planning of a companion for your return home: You must be accompanied when leaving our establishment.
Loose clothing and shoes that are easy to put on: Bring along for your comfort and facilitate your return home.
Meals and Snacks: Cook meals, freeze them, and buy non-perishable food so you don’t have to cook when you get home.
Housekeeping of your home: You will be limited in your movements as well as in the weight that you can lift. You will probably need help with your household activities.
Thermometer: Make sure you have a thermometer at home to check your temperature as needed.
Ask a loved one to be available within the first 24 hours: This person can accompany you on your travels and, if necessary, provide you with support with your personal care and daily activities.
Return to work and notify your employer: The recovery period varies from surgery to surgery and depending on the nature of your job. If you need a sick leave certificate, please discuss this with your surgeon.
Food
It is important before and after surgery to include fiber and protein in your diet to speed up the healing process. A good nutritional balance will also improve your immune function, thus providing you with better protection against infection.
Canada’s Food Guide is a good reference for a balanced diet. You can request a copy from the nursing staff.
Changes in your health status
If the day before your surgery you have a fever (temperature), the flu, diarrhea or vomiting, promptly notify the CMC nursing staff by calling 514 332-7091, extension 211. You can leave a voicemail message.
Preoperative exams
A resting EKG with interpretation will be required if you are 40 years of age or older. Upon analysis, your surgeon may order additional examinations.
Please note that this is valid for a period of 4 months.
The day before surgery
Preparing your skin before surgery
To decrease the risk of infection in the postoperative period and reduce the number of bacteria on the skin, it is important to take a bath or shower the day before and the morning of surgery. You should use a chlorhexidine-based sponge or soap to wash the area to be operated on. This product is available in pharmacies. Be sure to carefully follow the instructions provided with the product and avoid contact with eyes and ears. Finally, do not apply any lotion or cream to your skin.
Shaving
The day before your surgery, you should shave the area to be operated on as directed by your surgeon. Make sure you understand the instructions and the type of shaving to favor (razor, depilatory cream, etc.). The nurse may validate the shave before surgery.
Fasting
You must fast from midnight before surgery, which means not eating any solid food or drinking anything, including water. Avoid chewing gum or sucking on candy. However, you can brush your teeth and rinse your mouth.
If your surgeon has told you to take your usual medication the morning of your surgery, you can take it with only a sip of water (about 15 ml).
Artificial nails and nail polish
The color of your skin and nails during surgery is a good indicator to check your blood oxygen level. In addition, the device used to measure your oxygen level may not be able to read the results if your nails are coated with nail polish or you have artificial nails.
Research has shown that nosocomial infections are transmitted primarily through the hands. Hand hygiene is therefore the fundamental measure in the prevention and control of infections in both healthcare personnel and patients. Wearing artificial nails or nail polish increases the number of microorganisms and promotes the growth of bacteria. They can be the cause of nosocomial infections.
! Remove all your jewelry (chains, earrings, rings, “body piercings”) and hair ties.
Preparing your luggage
What to bring the day of your surgery
The space you will have to store your personal belongings is very limited. This corresponds to a small cabin baggage type suitcase with a dimension of approximately 23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm (9 in x 15.5 in x 21.5 in) with wheels and handles, weighing approximately 10 kg (22 lbs).
The morning of your surgery, you will need to bring:
this information guide if you have received it;
your health insurance card;
an up-to-date list of your medications;
your medications, they MUST be in their original container;
we will not be able to accept drugs in a pod prepared by the pharmacist;
your inhalation pumps + aerochamber if applicable;
your glasses case, if applicable;
your case and contact lens solution, if applicable;
a container for dental or hearing prostheses, if applicable;
non-slip slippers;
sanitary napkins if necessary;
loose and comfortable clothing suitable for your surgery for your departure;
books and silent entertainment (iPod, personal computer, etc.);
a personal hygiene kit (toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, etc.).
For patients staying at the CMC, a safe is available in your room. However, we strongly suggest that you leave cash, jewelry, or valuables at home.
For day surgery patients, you can leave your personal belongings in a locker that you can lock.
! The CMC is not responsible for the loss of any valuables or money that you keep in your possession.