As You Heal:

Family and Friends
Support from family and friends is very helpful, but because they may not understand what constitutes a normal post-operative course, their comments may unintentionally create emotional turmoil for you. We will tell you honestly how you are doing and what we expect your result to be. Please trust in our knowledge and experience when we discuss your progress with you.

Although plastic surgery has certainly “come out of the closet” in the past decade, your friends and family may still be reluctant to bring up and discuss what they believe is a private matter. Patients occasionally feel upset that “no one noticed” or “said anything.” If you feel comfortable discussing your surgical experience, do so openly. When people ask how you are, respond by saying, “I feel wonderful. I just had cosmetic surgery and I’m recovering.” This lets people know that they may talk freely with you. Often when patients are open, they find that their friends and acquaintances are very interested in discussing the subject.

Depression
Not commonly patients experience a brief period of “let down” or depression after cosmetic surgery. Some may subconsciously have expected to feel and look better “instantly” even though they rationally understand that this will not be the case. Patients commonly question their decision to have surgery during the first few days after surgery. As the healing occurs, these thoughts usually disappear quickly. If you feel depressed, understanding that this is a “natural” phase of the healing process may help you to cope with this emotional state.

Healing
Everyone has the capacity to heal themselves to one degree or another. Clearly this ability is variable and depends upon a number of factors such as your genetic background, and your overall state of health and lifestyle (exercise, diet, smoking, drinking, etc.). Many people believe the surgeon “heals” the patient. No one person can make another heal. Dr. Gordon can facilitate (but not accelerate) the healing process. Your cooperation and close attention is extremely important and in your best interest.

Follow Instructions
Another major factor in the course of healing is whether you follow the instructions given by Dr. Gordon verbally and in the pre-operative booklet. Such guidelines are designed to promote the healing process and to prevent the occurrences of anything which may interfere with recovery. It is imperative that you recognize that you are a partner in this process and have a responsibility to follow instructions carefully. The instructions, based on broad experience, are designed to give you the best opportunity for healing without delay or surprise.

Complications
Unexpected occurrences are very infrequent. When they occur, it is seldom a consequence of malpractice. It is far more likely to be a result of the variable healing capacity. Rest assured, we will assist you in any way possible with regard to such events. Should the unexpected occur, it is in your best interest to ally yourself with Dr. Gordon and the staff. We will support you through any difficulties and assist you in reaching your goal.

General Anesthesia
When general anesthesia is used, you will be sound asleep and under the care of the anesthesia personnel throughout the operation. Once you are settled on the operating table, you will be connected to several monitors and an intravenous catheter. A quick-acting sedative will be given through the intravenous tubing after you have breathed pure oxygen for a few minutes. Once you fall asleep, the anesthesia personnel will usually slip an endotracheal tube through your mouth into your windpipe to guarantee that your breathing is unimpeded. An anesthetic gas that you will breathe and other medications that will be given through the intravenous catheter will keep you asleep and pain free.

Many patients have an instinctive fear of general anesthesia. Extremely sensitive monitors used during surgery have greatly reduced the risks of general anesthesia. A minute change in the oxygen level in your blood, in the amount of carbon dioxide you breathe out, in the percentage of anesthetic gas being administered, in your heart rate, or in your blood pressure, would be reported immediately. Most complications of anesthesia in the past have occurred because of “simple” problems that were not recognized quickly enough. The sophisticated monitoring now used makes recognition and treatment of problems with anesthesia almost immediate.

The anesthesia personnel spends all of their time during the procedure ensuring your safety. Any significant changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital functions are treated immediately. The anesthesia personnel are board certified anesthesiologist, and you will never be left unattended.

The current level of sophistication of anesthesia monitoring equipment makes general anesthesia much safer than in the past. The anesthesia and monitoring equipment is routinely maintained and is of the same quality as the equipment in any major hospital. Your anesthesiologist will discuss the specific risks of general anesthesia with you before your surgery.

IV Sedation or Local Anesthesia
Very few cases are done under local (mostly small procedures, i.e. moles, etc.), however, this approach is very safe.

Going to the Operating Room:

The Operating Suite
Going to the operating room is not a normal experience for most of us. Dr. Gordon and all of the professional staff caring for you recognize the natural anxiety with which most patients approach this step in the process of achieving their goals. We believe a description of the surgery experience will be helpful.

Your surgery will be performed at Complete Cosmetic Surgery Center in our state-of-the-art operating suite or Spring Valley Hospital. Specialists using modern equipment and techniques will attend to you. The team includes a board-certified anesthesiologist, a trained certified operating room technician, and a registered nurse in charge of the operating room.

When you arrive at Complete Cosmetic Surgery Center you will be escorted to the surgery suite. You will be asked to change into a gown and robe and will be given foot covers. Dr. Gordon and the anesthesia personnel will meet with you before you enter the operating suite. This is the time for final surgical planning; it is also when we will do basic preparation or draw on your skin as needed. There will be time for last minute questions.

Once you enter the operating room, the staff will do everything they can to make you feel secure. You will feel comfortable on our deeply padded operating table, and the nurse or anesthesiologist will start an intravenous drip in your arm. At the same time, to ensure your safety, our staff will connect you to monitoring devices. Medicines that will make you drowsy will flow through the tubing into a vein in your arm.

The Recovery Room
When your surgery has been completed and your dressings are in place, you will be moved to the recovery room. You will be connected to monitoring equipment constantly. During this period, a fully-trained recovery room nurse will take care of you and remain with you at all times. The registered nurses in the recovery room are specially certified for advanced cardiac life support. The recovery room is equipped just like the one in a hospital, and that is one of the reasons Complete Cosmetic Surgery Center is fully accredited.

Your stay in the recovery room will last from one to two hours, depending on how soon you are ready to leave. Most patients are fully awake within 20 to 45 minutes after surgery, but may not remember much about their stay in the recovery room.

Post Surgery:

At Home
You must arrange for someone to bring you to and drive you home from the surgery center. Either a family member, a friend, or a nurse must remain with you the first night after surgery because you will have been sedated.

Home Care Nursing
If you would like care in your home, please inform the staff so that we may arrange proper care.

Physician Home Visit
Dr. Gordon or his R.N. makes home visits for specific procedures (facelifts, tummy tucks, laser resurfacing, lower body lifts).