Convalescence
Reminder:
You must be accompanied to leave the CMC, as well as during the first 24 hours following your departure. Medications used during anesthesia and pain medications can alter your senses and reflexes and cause drowsiness. It is also strongly recommended that you do not drive your vehicle for a period of 72 hours after surgery.
For the same reasons that apply to driving, you should postpone important decisions until another day. Anesthesia can also cause you to be more sensitive and irritable for a few days.
Before you leave the CMC
- The nursing staff will assess your condition according to certain criteria and plan your departure.
- You will receive your initial prescriptions including the required information.
- You will also receive personalized instruction from the nursing staff according to the type of surgery received as well as an information document specific to your surgery.
- Finally, you can leave the CMC with your guide.
! If you have been hospitalized, your departure will be before 10:00am the next morning.
Resuming your usual medications
Unless otherwise advised by your surgeon, you can return to your regular medications as soon as you get home.
You should avoid taking aspirin-containing medications for 15 days after surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding.
The diet
It is important to drink plenty of fluids to promote intestinal and urinary elimination, as some pain medications can cause constipation. We also recommend that you eat foods that contain fiber.
Personal hygiene care
Take a bath or shower after your surgery as recommended by your surgeon.
Possible complications, signs and symptoms
Wound infection with the following signs and symptoms:
- redness;
- heat;
- flow;
- swelling;
- pain;
- fever (over 38.5°C) and chills.
Other signs and symptoms that may signal another complication:
- heavy bleeding;
- loss of consciousness;
- inability to urinate;
- pain that is not relieved by the pain relievers prescribed by your surgeon;
- persistent nausea or vomiting;
- fever (over 38.5°C) and chills.
These complications are rare but can occur. You can then either:
- contact your surgeon;
- go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital center; or
- Dial 911.
Rest
After surgery, it is normal to feel tired. You will need to rest in order to ensure adequate recovery. On the other hand, the resumption of activities of daily living should take place as soon as possible and according to your tolerance. Walking stimulates blood flow to your legs and prevents blood from stagnating in your veins, which can cause blood clots (thrombophlebitis). A balance between rest and your activities is therefore essential.
Follow-up and appointments
It is important not to miss the follow-up appointment with your surgeon. It's a good time to discuss any lingering discomfort, concerns, and when you should go back to work.
Before you leave the CMC
- The nursing staff will assess your condition according to certain criteria and plan your departure.
- You will receive your initial prescriptions including the required information.
- You will also receive personalized instruction from the nursing staff according to the type of surgery received as well as an information document specific to your surgery.
- Finally, you can leave the CMC with your guide.
! If you have been hospitalized, your departure will be before 10:00am the next morning.
Reminder:
You must be accompanied to leave the CMC, as well as during the first 24 hours following your departure. Medications used during anesthesia and pain medications can alter your senses and reflexes and cause drowsiness. It is also strongly recommended that you do not drive your vehicle for a period of 72 hours after surgery.
For the same reasons that apply to driving, you should postpone important decisions until another day. Anesthesia can also cause you to be more sensitive and irritable for a few days.
Possible complications, signs and symptoms
Wound infection with the following signs and symptoms:
- redness;
- heat;
- flow;
- swelling;
- pain;
- fever (over 38.5°C) and chills.
Other signs and symptoms that may signal another complication:
- heavy bleeding;
- loss of consciousness;
- inability to urinate;
- pain that is not relieved by the pain relievers prescribed by your surgeon;
- persistent nausea or vomiting;
- fever (over 38.5°C) and chills.
These complications are rare but can occur. You can then either:
- contact your surgeon;
- go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital center; or
- Dial 911.
Personal hygiene care
Take a bath or shower after your surgery as recommended by your surgeon.
The diet
It is important to drink plenty of fluids to promote intestinal and urinary elimination, as some pain medications can cause constipation. We also recommend that you eat foods that contain fiber.
Resuming your usual medications
Unless otherwise advised by your surgeon, you can return to your regular medications as soon as you get home.
You should avoid taking aspirin-containing medications for 15 days after surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding.
Follow-up and appointments
It is important not to miss the follow-up appointment with your surgeon. It's a good time to discuss any lingering discomfort, concerns, and when you should go back to work.
Rest
After surgery, it is normal to feel tired. You will need to rest in order to ensure adequate recovery. On the other hand, the resumption of activities of daily living should take place as soon as possible and according to your tolerance. Walking stimulates blood flow to your legs and prevents blood from stagnating in your veins, which can cause blood clots (thrombophlebitis). A balance between rest and your activities is therefore essential.
Medications to stop
It is your responsibility to check whether or not the medications you are taking contain any of the products listed below. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
2 weeks prior to surgery, stop:
- natural health products
- Homeopathic products
- Vitamins
- Products containing garlic (allicin).
10 days before surgery, stop:
- acetylsalicylic acid such as Aspirin® and any other product containing acid
- anti-inflammatories (unless otherwise advised by your doctor or surgeon) such as Advil®, Ibuprofen®, Celebrex®, Indocid®, Motrin®, Naprosyn®, Naprosyn®, Orudis®, Orudis®, Orudis®, Vioxx®, Voltaren®, etc.;
- cold and flu medications such as Tylenol Sinus®, Advil Sinus®, Reactin®, cough syrup, etc.
If you are taking medications for heart, blood pressure, and diabetes, 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 surgery, refer to the section” The day of surgery — Medications to take or omit ” on page 7 of this document.
Medication
At any time before your surgery:
- Continue taking your contraceptive pill if necessary;
- Continue taking your antidepressants and neuroleptics;
- Take acetaminophen safely (Atasol®, Tylenol®, Paracetamol®, Doliprane®).
Cannabis
Cannabis can be consumed for medical purposes under prescription. In some contexts its use may be authorized. However, smoking cannabis, like smoking cigarettes, interferes with the deterioration of your respiratory system and can interfere with your post-operative recovery. Since no studies confirm a safe threshold for cannabis consumption during the preoperative and postoperative periods, the safest approach is not to consume it. If you are using cannabis to alleviate a health condition, please discuss it with your surgeon.
Tobacco
We recommend that you stop smoking cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes containing nicotine and nicotine products at least 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after your surgery. Nicotine and the toxic substances contained in tobacco can constrict small blood vessels and therefore
- slow the healing of your wounds and thus increase the risk of wound infection;
- increase the risk of respiratory problems and pneumonia after surgery
- cause nausea (heart pain), vomiting, and excessive coughing at dawn, which increase 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.
Plan your return home now
Transport and planning of an escort for your return home : You must be accompanied when leaving our establishment.
Loose clothing and shoes that are easy to put on : To be provided for your comfort and to facilitate your return home.
Meals and snacks : Cook food, freeze it, and buy non-perishable food so you don't have to cook when you get home.
Cleaning your home : You will be limited in your movements as well as in the weight you can lift. You will probably need help with 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 trips and, if necessary, support you with your personal care and daily activities.
Return to work and notice to your employer : The recovery period varies from surgery to surgery and according to the nature of your job. If you need a sick leave certificate, please discuss it with your surgeon.
Hair dye
It is important to avoid applying hair dye ten (10) days before and thirty (30) days after a face-lift surgery.
Alcohol
Stop drinking alcohol two weeks before and three weeks after surgery. Mixing alcohol and medication can cause unpredictable adverse reactions.
Change in your health condition
If the day before your surgery you have a fever (temperature), you have a flu, diarrhea, or vomiting, you should promptly notify the CMC nursing staff by calling 514 332-7091, extension 211. You can leave a message on the voicemail.
Feeding
It is important before and after surgery to incorporate fiber and protein into your diet to speed up the healing process. A good diet balance will also improve your immune function, giving you better protection against infection.
Canada's Food Guide is a good reference when it comes to food. You can ask the health care staff for a copy.
Change in your health condition
An electrocardiogram at rest and with interpretation will be required if you are 40 years of age or older. Upon analysis of it, additional examinations may be requested by your surgeon.
Please note that it is valid for a period of 4 months.