Whether you are having a medical or cosmetic procedure, there are essential guidelines and recommendations you should follow before and after your procedure. Following these instructions will help with healing time, prevent potential complications and give you the best result possible. It is important to contact our concierge Registered Nurse for instructions specific to your procedure.

1. Discontinue taking anything that thins the blood. Alert us if you are taking prescribed blood thinners such as eliquis, coumadin (warfarin), pradaxa, xarelto or plavix. Always consult with your prescribing physician. If you are taking aspirin prophylactically, please stop 7-10 days prior to the procedure and confirm the appropriate time with Dr. Ostad.

2. Evaluate your vitamins and herbal supplements. Co-Q10, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Fish oil, garlic, gingko , saw palmeto, St. Johns Wort, turmeric, ginseng should not be taken one week prior to surgery.

3. Do not consume alcohol 2-7 days prior to your procedure. Mohs surgery and excisions require you to refrain from consumption 2 days prior to your procedure. However, liposuction, face and neck lifts, require the full 7 days without alcohol prior to surgery.

4. EAT! There is no need to fast prior to surgery. All surgical procedures are performed under local anesthesia and there is no need to skip out on breakfast. We recommend you eat a balanced meal prior, as certain medications, given prior to the procedure, aren’t recommended on an empty stomach.

5. Bring a friend, loved one or ask us for car service. Please do not drive or take public transportation after your procedure. We want you to go home and rest. Certain cosmetic procedures require administering a medication to relax you. It is not recommended that you drive, take a subway or walk after your procedure. When having Mohs and excision procedures, while you do not receive this medication, it is important for healing to return home and rest without putting yourself under any additional stress.

6. Wear loose-fitting clothing. Post-operative dressings and bandages will be applied and any additional tight restrictive clothing may interfere with this dressing.

7. Relax…don’t stress! Increased stress can not only raise your blood pressure during the procedure but it can also increase healing time. You are in good hands!

8. Take a shower before the procedure. You will leave with a pressure dressing or a garment on the treated area. Mohs procedures require the area treated to remain clean and dry for 24 hours. If a skin graft is necessary, please consult your nurse for proper instructions. The pressure dressing is to protect the area treated and the sutures below. In the first 24 hours after your procedure, your body will do everything it can to rush blood to the area expedite healing. This results in swelling and potential bleeding. The pressure dressing will keep that inflammatory reaction under control.

9. Stay in communication! We are available to discuss all your pre-operative and post-operative concerns. We will contact you the day after your procedure. However, if there is anything of concern or if you have questions, we have a concierge Registered Nurse available for all your emails or calls. She can be reached at: [email protected]

10. Be patient. With any surgical procedure there is a healing process. Whether elective or medical, you have to be realistic about the healing time. All expectations regarding recovery should and will be discussed with you prior to your procedure. We are always available to discuss post-operative questions.

Post-operative instructions will be given to you prior to your procedure and you will receive a post-operative call the following day. As always, we are available to answer all your questions and concerns.