Dr. Katrien Lagey eg
Preparing for an operation
Health
For a speedy recovery it is important that you are in good health at the time of the procedure.
Smoking carries a high risk of poor wound healing. We therefore ask you to stop smoking 1 month before and 1 month after the procedure.
Alcohol has a direct effect on bleeding and puts an excessive strain on the liver. We expect you not to drink alcohol from 1 week before to 1 week after the procedure.
Medication: the intake of anticoagulants (blood thinners) must be stopped a few days before the procedure. Discuss this with your attending physician. In principle, you may or must continue taking other medicines, but again after proper consultation.
To minimize the risk of infections, good personal hygiene is an absolute must.
On the day of the procedure, take a good shower at home and wash your hair
On the day of the procedure, do not use perfume, hairspray, hair gel or body lotion. Deodorant is allowed.
Do not use nail polish; artificial nails may remain on.
Hygiene
General
For your own comfort after the operation, please take the following into account:
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that does not have to be pulled over your head.
Bring cold packs with you to place in our refrigerator and use on the way home.
Leave jewelry and valuables at home.
Wear comfortable, easy-to-wear shoes.
Preparing for an operation
Local anesthesia
An operation under local anaesthesia means a simple injection at the place where the operation will be performed, e.g. to remove a spot. No special preparations are required for this. You may eat and drink before the operation. If you are nervous, we advise you not to drink coffee. You may go home immediately and you may drive yourself.
Local anesthesia with sedation
Before the procedure, photos and a drawing are taken. Then you will be given a mild sedative that will put you into a sedative state. You will continue to breathe independently. Most people fall into a light sleep, others remain awake but feel relaxed. Most people can remember little of the procedure afterwards.
After the administration of the sedative, a local anesthetic is administered at the site of the procedure. For an eyelid correction or a MACSlift, for example, this is a very pleasant way to undergo the procedure. You should not be fasting: we recommend having a light breakfast or lunch and avoiding coffee. Taking medication is allowed, except for blood thinners: these are stopped 1 week before the procedure.
After the procedure, you will rest in a recliner while we cool the wound. You will need a driver to go home.
General anesthesia or narcosis
You may not eat or drink anything after midnight.
If you need medication, you may take it in the morning with a small sip of water. The intake of blood thinners is stopped 1 week before the procedure. Always discuss this with your surgeon or the anaesthetist. Upon arrival, you will be taken to your room. Photos and a preoperative drawing will be made and then you will go to the operating room. The anaesthetist will discuss the method of anaesthesia with you. We work with a certified anaesthetist who has access to the latest, safest and most advanced equipment. He will remain in the operating room during the entire procedure.
After the procedure, you will stay in the recovery room for a while. As soon as you are sufficiently awake, you may return to your room. There, according to the instructions of the anaesthetist, you will be given something to drink and something light to eat. If everything goes well, you may leave after a final check by your surgeon. You will of course need a driver.
