Frequently Asked Questions
The questions that come up most often in consultation, answered in general terms.
The answers below are general. Every patient is different; for your own situation consult the physician who examines you.
How long before surgery should I stop smoking?
Smoking is the single strongest modifiable factor affecting wound healing. Nicotine narrows small vessels and reduces blood flow to tissue, which raises the risk of wound breakdown and tissue loss.
Stopping at least 1 month before surgery, and staying off it afterwards until healing is complete, is advised. Nicotine patches, gum and e-cigarettes contain nicotine and fall under the same rule.
The exact interval depends on the operation planned. Where skin circulation is critical, your surgeon may ask for longer.
Should I stop my medication myself?
No. Do not stop any medication without asking your doctor.
Blood thinners, blood pressure medication, diabetes medication and some psychiatric drugs may be adjusted before surgery, but that adjustment is made by the physician who prescribed them. A blood thinner stopped on your own can cause harm far more serious than bleeding during surgery.
Bring a full list of your medications, herbal supplements and vitamins to your consultation.
Can herbal supplements cause problems?
Some can increase bleeding tendency. Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, garlic tablets, fish oil and high dose vitamin E are the ones most often mentioned.
Being "natural" does not make them harmless. Declare them when surgery is planned; they are usually stopped some weeks beforehand.
How many hours should I fast before surgery?
The stomach must be empty for anaesthetic safety. General practice is roughly 8 hours for solid food and roughly 2 hours for clear fluids.
The clinic will give you the exact time based on your slot and your anaesthetist's assessment. Not following it can mean the operation is postponed.
Can I go home alone after surgery?
Not on the same day if you have had a general anaesthetic or sedation. You must not drive or make important decisions that day, and an adult should stay with you for the first 24 hours.
This is a safety rule independent of how large the procedure was.
How long does recovery take?
Recovery has several layers and they do not move at the same speed.
Returning to daily activity is the earliest stage. Meaningful reduction in swelling takes weeks; tissue settling and scar fading take months. No fixed timetable applies to everyone: the type of operation, age, smoking and general health all change it.
Get your own timetable from your surgeon, and do not measure yourself against how quickly someone else healed.
What should I prepare before a consultation?
These make the appointment noticeably more useful:
- A complete list of your medications and supplements
- Previous operations, and any problems during anaesthesia
- Known allergies
- Ongoing conditions and recent test results
- Your questions, written down
The last one is the most commonly skipped. The question that does not come to mind during the appointment arrives on the way out.
Do these pages replace medical advice?
No. The content here is general information and does not replace examination, diagnosis or treatment.
Its purpose is to help you arrive prepared and ask the right questions.