YOUR SURGERY

The moment you step into Lasky Clinic, you can rest assured that our staff will be completely focused on your comfort, safety and privacy. To help ensure your visit goes as smoothly as possible, please review and save the information below.

Prior to Your Surgery

Before the day of your surgery, our trusted team goes through great lengths to ensure your procedure will go as smoothly as possible. However, much of the preparation process rests in your hands. For your convenience and safety, please download and review our complete checklist of steps to take up to two weeks prior to your arrival.

Please note: Failure to follow select steps on this checklist could compromise your results and/or cause a cancellation of your procedure.

Your Pre-Surgery Checklist
Please follow these steps prior to your surgery to help ensure a smooth procedure and the best possible results.

• Confirm your arrival time and method of transportation. In most cases, you will not be allowed to drive yourself home or leave Lasky Center unattended. This is to ensure your safety.
• Avoid smoking. It may compromise your healing and your final result. If this is an issue, please discuss it with your surgeon.
• Avoid all forms of aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, Vitamin E and diet pills for at least two weeks. These can worsen bleeding and bruising.
• Do not drink alcohol or caffeine for three days prior to your operation. Try to limit your salt intake as well, as this may add to post-operative swelling.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your procedure, unless instructed by your surgeon, gastroenterologist or anesthesiologist. This includes water, alcohol and caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea. Failure to follow this instruction will result in the cancellation of your procedure.
• Shop for supplies in advance. See the following post-operative diet suggestions to create a list of some items you may want to have available when you return home.
• Arrange for a responsible adult to be with you for the first 24 hours after your procedure. Our staff will instruct this person in your post-surgical care.
• Bring a list of all medications you are currently taking.
• Have all prescriptions filled in advance so you can bring them with you the day of your procedure.

Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions, or if you have forgotten or misplaced any instructions. This will also help avoid delays on the morning of your surgery.

The Day of Your Surgery

For many patients, surgery is both exciting and nerve-wracking. To help ensure you are calm, relaxed and prepared for success the day of, we recommend taking the following precautions:

• Arrive on time. While it is not necessary to arrive early, we do ask that you call us at 310-277-4572 if you are running late.
• Bathe or shower. Avoid applying any makeup or lotions to your skin.
• Remove any contact lenses. Please bring reading glasses if necessary to review consent forms.
• Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Clothes that close down the front rather than pull over your head are best. No pantyhose or tight-fitting pants.
• Bring your denture case. You may wear your dentures, but be prepared to have them removed for your procedure.
• Bring your insurance card and remaining payment due. For your convenience, payments will be collected before, not after, your surgery.
• Bring your immediate contact information. The receptionist and Registered Nurse may need the telephone number for where you are staying in order to reach you post-surgery.
• Leave other valuables at home or with a trusted companion. This includes money, jewelry and handbags.

Your Arrival
If you or your driver have not been to Lasky Clinic before, we are a free-standing facility located a few blocks south of Wilshire and South Santa Monica boulevards, behind the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. Although our address is 201 S. Lasky Drive, our main entrance is located on Charleville Boulevard.

Parking
Unlike at most medical buildings in Beverly Hills, parking is abundant and easy to access at Lasky Clinic. There are metered parking spots that accept both quarters and credit cards on the streets surrounding the clinic. During the summer months, you may find ample two-hour complimentary parking along Lasky Drive. Should you find yourself without the proper change, please ask the front desk for assistance.

Check-in
When you arrive at Lasky Clinic, you will be greeted by one of our receptionists, who will help you check in, sign the appropriate forms and direct you to the appropriate office. If you are scheduled for surgery, our staff will show you to your private pre- and post-operative suite. Our medical team will also be standing by to answer any last-minute questions you may have.

Guests
Family or friends are welcome to stay with you until you are taken to the operative suite, at which time we will invite them to relax in one of our plush waiting areas. If they would like to venture out, they will find that downtown Beverly Hills is within a short walking distance.

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After Your Surgery
Since Lasky Clinic is an outpatient surgical center, you may return home after your procedure. This is why we encourage you to confirm your transportation plans prior to your procedure. Before you leave, be sure to discuss any concerns you may have about your surgery or post-surgery treatment with your surgeon and our medical staff. Here are a few general points to remember:

The First 24 Hours
The moments immediately following your procedure are critical to your results. Your doctor will give you specific directions, however, the following are general guidelines you may follow to help secure the best outcome:

• Get plenty of rest. To avoid unnecessary swelling or bruising, do not do any strenuous activity, such as cleaning the house, exercising, etc.
• Follow the specific post-operative instructions given to you and do not hesitate to call with questions.
• If you received sedation or general anesthesia, your reflexes and mental ability may be impaired, even though you may feel normal.
• You may feel dizzy, lightheaded or sleepy.
• Do not consume alcohol, drive, operate machinery, or make important personal or business decisions.
• If receiving general anesthesia, it is normal to feel generalized aching and sore muscles.
• You may have a sore throat.
• Drink plenty of fluids and progress to solids as tolerated.
• Call your doctor if you experience any of the following:
  • A temperature over 101°F
  • Signs of infection
  • Continued nausea/vomiting
  • Excessive pain
  • Swelling or bleeding
  • Excessive drainage
• Your surgeon or a member of the surgical staff will call you to check up after your procedure.
• Should an emergency occur, call 911 immediately.

Post-Operative Diet Suggestions
After your surgery, you’ll want to stay hydrated and eat plenty of nutritious foods. This is very important in the healing process, and it will help you feel stronger, faster. Please keep in mind that each specific surgeon and procedure will warrant slightly different post-operative instructions, so you should discuss any dietary concerns prior to your procedure.

• Drink plenty of liquids. Water, Gatorade, Kool-Aid, decaffeinated tea and juices are recommended. Note: Citrus juices may irritate stomach.
• High-protein, high-calorie foods. This may include protein shakes (non-dairy if you’re having nasal surgery).
• Soft foods. Baked or mashed potatoes, creamed vegetables, jelly or pudding, apple sauce, bananas, canned fruit or tuna fish, eggs, oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, baby food and low-sodium warm soups are best to start.
• NO diet foods. This includes diet drinks. Your body needs calories for proper healing.
• NO alcohol. It dilates the blood vessels and could increase post-operative bleeding. Also, please do not drink until you have stopped taking any prescription pain pills, as the combination of pain pills and alcohol can be dangerous.
• NO salt or spicy foods.
• NO heavy or big meals. Start small and light and then slowly increase your intake as tolerated
• NO aspirin or aspirin products such as Motrin, Nuprin, Advil, Excedrin or Anacin.
• NO smoking. Smoking reduces capillary flow in your skin. We advise you not to smoke at all during the first 10 days after surgery

If you have any post-operative nausea, carbonated sodas and dry crackers may settle the stomach. If nausea is severe, use Zofran or Phenergan, or contact your doctor for a recommendation. If you feel normal, start with our recommended liquids and bland foods. And if those are well-tolerated, you may progress to a regular diet.

48 Hours and Beyond
As your healing continues, it is important to honor your scheduled follow-up appointments. This is important to ensure you are healing properly. In addition:

• Please do not drive for at least two days after general anesthesia or intravenous sedation or while taking prescription pain pills. This is both dangerous and a legal liability.
• Keep your dressings as clean and dry as possible. Do not remove them unless you are instructed to do so.
• Use cold or ice packs to help reduce swelling, bruising and pain. You may use frozen peas in the package or crushed ice cubes in a resealable bag. This should help, not hurt. If the ice feels too uncomfortable, don’t use it as often.

Caring for Your Skin
Cosmetic surgery is just the beginning of a much bigger picture. By adjusting your post-surgery skin care regimen, and incorporating non-surgical procedures, you can help maintain the youthful, vibrant appearance you and your surgeon have worked so hard to achieve. We encourage you to discuss maintain your results long-term with a Lasky Clinic or Laser Center professional.