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This
guide gives advice on how you should prepare for your surgery, and
how to recover afterwards as quickly as possible. This information
will also be given to you when in Budapest, and written post-operative
recovery instructions after your surgery by your Cosmetic Surgeon.
When
booking your flights, please plan to arrive in Budapest, if possible, two
days before your surgery. This allows
for flight delays/cancellations, gives you time to settle in to your hotel or
apartment, allows you to rest before surgery, to get your bearings and stock up
with food if you are staying in an apartment.
Most importantly the pre-op tests and checks can be carried out the day
before surgery (otherwise they will be carried out very early in the
morning on the day of your surgery.
You must
not take aspirin (or products containing aspirin), ibuprofen (ditto),
or omega/fish oil for at least 2 weeks before surgery. Also
stop
all herbal medications/preparations of any kind, especially arnica
pillules.
If
you smoke, it is very important that you stop
smoking for at least 3 weeks before surgery and
do not smoke for at least 2 weeks during your recovery period. You should be aware that smoking
greatly increases your risk of complications,
can affect your healing and recovery and also, of course,
your general health.
If
at all possible, make an appointment to see your doctor and
tell him/her that you are planning on undergoing surgery under general or
local anaesthesia,and make sure that you are in good health, fit to travel
and to have surgery.
If
you have a good relationship with your GP this should not present any
problem. although he/she is not obliged under the terms of the NHS to
check you over free of charge for a private operation!
If
you do, however, have, a supportive GP in the UK,
you can discuss your plans with him, but you are not obliged to tell them
about your surgery.
Also ask if your Practice Nurse will remove any sutures that are
not removed by the surgeon in Budapest. Please organise this before you
come out - they are usually much more helpful if asked if advance!
Make
sure you bring with you any prescription
medications and tell your surgeon and anaesthetist what you are
currently taking at the time of your surgery (these should be
listed by you on your Health Questionnaire/Medical Form).. Also bring with you a supply of
your favourite tried and trusted over-the-counter pain relief
in case you cannot obtain the same in Hungary (whilst in the
clinic/hospital you will of course be provided with all necessary
medication and given prescription pain relief for the first couple of days
after you leave).
Please
note that unless you consult a private GP (at great expense!) you will
not be able to obtain any current medications prescribed in the UK -
your surgeon is only allowed by law to prescribe medications required as
part of your treatment.
If
you have a favourite brand of teabags, or
breakfast cereal, or any other food that you absolutely cannot live without, we
suggest you bring it with you. Budapest is a large cosmopolitan city
with a wide range of shops, but not all international brands/items
are always available.
For
all surgical procedures, please start taking a high dose (1gm) Vitamin
C tablet daily for 10 days prior to surgery - bring them with you and
continue after surgery.
Don't
forget your mobile phone charger and a
couple of Euro (2 pin) adaptors for any electrical gadgets that you bring
over with you. These can be purchased in the High Street, or if you should forget, you can pick
them up at the airport.
Do
ring books/a kindle,
magazines, your laptop, DVDs or films downloaded onto our laptop/tablet,
and anything else to make your recovery time pleasant.
Contact
your mobile phone provider before you leave the UK, and make sure
you can use your phone here.
Phone
your Bank/Credit Card company before you
leave and tell them you are travelling to Hungary. This is important as
otherwise you might find you cannot use your card in an ATM.
Bring
a supply of body wipes for a quick refresh
during the period you cannot shower or wash the treated areas. Oatmeal
soap
is great for soothing post-op itching.
Pain
medications are
often very ‘binding’. If you are prone to constipation and use laxatives at home, then bring them with you - otherwise whilst here eat plenty
of fibre - fruit and vegetables, and of course if all else fails prunes
are available in the shops here.
If
you are having facial surgery, visit your
hairdresser before you travel for any colouring you may
require,as you will be instructed by
your surgeon not to do this for about six weeks after your surgery.
Also let your hair grow sufficiently long to cover your incisions whilst
they are healing.
After
facial surgery, once you have been told by your surgeon you may wash your
hair, only use baby or gentle/unperfumed shampoo that will not
irritate your incisions.
It
is important after any
surgical procedure to eat well – light, easily-digested and nutritious foods – in order to
facilitate proper healing and recovery. Low-sodium (salt) foods re
duce swelling. Make sure you eat a balanced and healthy diet, including good quality protein - to aid your recovery. A good intake
of fruit and vegetables is also recommended. If staying in an apartment, go shopping
the day before surgery and make sure you have everything you need for the
first couple of days
If
you are having your pre-ops on the morning before surgery you
must not eat or drink anything other than tap water before these (breakfast
afterwards!). Otherwise the results could be compromised and the tests
might have to be repeated and your surgery delayed.
Follow
the instructions of your surgeon and anaesthetist carefully regarding medications, eating, and drinking, especially with regard to
fasting prior to surgery. If you are having a General anaesthetic, it is extremely
important that you do not eat or drink anything at all (including water)after
midnight on
the day before surgery. For
those patients having a local anaesthetic, a light, easily digested breakfast can be eaten before
leaving for the hospital or clinic.
On
the morning of your surgery:
We
strongly advise you to leave any valuables
locked away in your apartment, or in your hotel safe. Take your passport to
the hospital as this will be required for the documentation. Take
some reading material and/or your smartphone in case you have to wait for pre-op test
results or for the surgery itself. There is Wifi in the clinic.
Take
any prescribed medication if
possible the night before surgery, with a small amount of water,and
take it with you to the hospital.
If
you take a bath or shower, either the night
before or on the morning of surgery, do not use any perfumed
soaps or shower gels, do not apply any skin lotions (body or face), make-up or
tanning lotions. Remove any nail polish.
Wear
loose fitting and comfortable clothing that
you can easily put on when you are leaving the clinic - no jeans if having a Tummy Tuck or lipo as the swelling will make them uncomfortable
- and a top that does not need to be pulled over your head if having
facial or breast surgery. Similarly comfortable footwear that is easy to
get on - bear in mind your feet/ankles might swell. Take
as little as possible to the clinic - a lightweight robe, nightie, slippers,
You’ll also need basic
toiletries – suitable for a short stay in the hospital. You are permitted to take your mobile phone
into the hospital or clinic with you.
After
surgery
Following certain surgeries, you will come out
of the operating theatre wearing a face or body compression/support garment or
garments. If you want to buy spare garments so that you can wash them, please
let us know and we will organise this for you.
On
the morning of your discharge from hospital
or clinic, you will be seen by your surgeon, dressings changed,
compression garments fitted or replaced, given any medication considered necessary, and provided with a medical
report /discharge letter detailing your procedure. You must keep this
Discharge Letter once you return home with your medical documents, for
future reference should it be required. Your Linda Briggs representative will be there to take you back to your hotel or
apartment to settle you in,make sure you have everything you need,re
mind you of any post-op instructions, and encourage you to rest. Your surgeon
will have told us when he wants to see you again, for drain removal (where
applicable), check ups/suture removal etc.
Your
recovery - We suggest that you:
Eat
well. This is very important after
any surgical procedure.. Light, easily digested, and nutritious foods including plenty of fruit and vegetables help you to heal and
recover. Try to avoid salty foods as
they can lead to water retention, which slows down swelling reduction. If staying
in an apartment, go shopping the day before surgery and make sure you have
everything you need for the first couple of days.
Drink
lots of water to
prevent dehydration.
Avoid
alcohol for 72 hours before and
after surgery - and then only in moderation (one glass not one
bottle!).
Do
not smoke.
Wear
the compression garments all the time as instructed by your surgeon to
help reduce swelling and keep everything in place. As mentioned previously,
an extra garment can be purchased from the clinic.
Do
NOT apply ice or heating packs/pads to
skin overlying the treated areas.
Do NOT apply hydrogen peroxide or plasters
(Band-aids) to
incision sites.
Do
NOT soak in a bath for at least 10 days post op. You may
only bathe or shower in lukewarm water when instructed by your surgeon. Do
not visit a Jacuzzi, sauna
or thermal bath for at
least 3 weeks after surgery
in order to minimize the risk of infection. You can swim in a cold
pool after 2 weeks. After
facial surgery, do NOT wash your hair until
advised by your surgeon.
The less you
touch your face the better, to prevent infection. Reduce
your risk of fainting by
always standing up slowly, removing compression garments
slowly, having assistance for your first shower if possible, and sitting
down if
you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
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