Preoperative (Before Surgery) Guide

Pre-breast reconstruction planning is a crucial phase in the journey toward breast reconstruction, encompassing a range of decisions and considerations that pave the way for a successful and satisfying surgical outcome.

 

Table of Contents

  • 1

    Twelve Weeks Before Surgery

  • 2

    Two Weeks Before Surgery

  • 3
    Morning of Surgery Instructions
  • 4

    CHG Bathing Instructions

  • 5
    Pre-Op Medications

Download / Print Pre-Op Guide PDF:

1. Twelve Weeks Before Surgery

No Smoking:
•  NO smoking, vaping, or nicotine in any form at least 12 weeks before surgery .

Exercise Recomendation:
•  Start exercising for at least 30 minutes every day (confirm with your physician before starting any new exercise routine).

2. Two Week Before Surgery

Two Weeks Before Surgery:
• Two weeks before surgery, stop taking hormones and medications such as Tamoxifen or Arimidex.

• Also stop taking medications with blood-thinning effects such as aspirin, NSAIDs, Motrin and Advil, Vitamin E, fish oil, and any herbal supplements two weeks before surgery.

• Please check with our office to confirm that it is safe to continue taking any other medications.

1 Week Before Surgery:
• Several prescriptions will be sent in to your pharmacy the week before surgery.

3 Days Before Surgery:
•  Start taking Colace 3 days before surgery.

2 Days Before Surgery:
• Begin showering with antibacterial soap two days before surgery. See CHG bathing instructions.

Night Before Surgery:
•  Do not drink or eat anything after midnight the night before surgery other than clear liquids (water, tea, pulp-free juice).

3. Morning of Surgery Checklist

Instructions:

• Do not wear any makeup, fingernail polish, contact lenses, or jewelry.

• Shower with antibacterial soap.

• Take prescribed medications. See details below.

• Drink 16oz Gatorade or coconut water (pulp-free). Be sure to finish drinking 2 hours before surgery is scheduled to begin.

4. CHB Bathing Instructions

Special Liquid CHG Soap:

To reduce risk of infection, you must carefully wash with a special liquid soap before surgery, starting 3 days before.

It is called chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), but might be labeled “Antiseptic Skin Cleanser Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4% Solution.”

A common brand is Hibiclens, but any brand is ok. You can find it at most pharmacies. One small bottle (4-6 ounces) is enough.

Shower Schedule::

1st Shower

Two days before surgery

2nd shower

The day before surgery

3rd shower

The morning of surgery

Instructions:

• First, shower your usual way using your normal shampoo and soap. Wash it all off with water.

• In the shower, put a little CHG soap onto a wet washcloth and apply to your entire body.

• Rub the CHG soap over your entire body for 3 minutes.

• Wash it all off with water.

• Dry yourself off with a new clean towel.

5. Pre-Op Medications

3 Days Before Surgery:

Start taking Colace (docusate sodium, available
over the counter) 100mg daily

The Morning of Surgery:

Two hours before surgery, drink 16oz Gatorate or coconut water (pulp-free) and take the following medications:

• 600mg Neurontin (gabapentin)
• 400mg Celebrex (celecoxib)