5 IMPORTANT PLASTIC SURGERY  RECOVERY TIPS 

One of the greatest factors in the success of a cosmetic procedure is the patient's ability to recover fully afterward. The recovery time and level of discomfort varies greatly from procedure to procedure and patient to patient, but a few tips can make the recovery period more successful in nearly any situation. Check out these five pointers for recovering from your next surgical procedure to ensure you get through the post-operative time without unnecessary pain or complications.

1.Start Healthy

The best way to ensure a good outcome after your cosmetic surgery is to go into the procedure in the healthiest state possible. Some doctors advise patients to:

• Quit smoking many weeks before surgery
• Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to keep your body strong and at an optimal weight
• Get a thorough checkup to ensure your body is healthy enough for surgery
• Eliminate caffeine and alcohol prior to the procedure
• Organize your home life as much as possible prior to surgery so you can focus on recovery afterward

By preparing your mind, body and environment for the recovery period ahead, you will be more likely to focus on helping your body heal quickly and successfully after the procedure.

2. Get Support

Most doctors want patients to have assistance at home for 24-72 hours after a surgical procedure. This allows you to rest and recuperate, while someone else is responsible for preparing your food and keeping you comfortable during the immediate recovery time. Many patients also experience a level of depression after cosmetic surgery, partly because of the pain, swelling and bruising that is typical immediately after the procedure. It is important to have support during this time to help you focus on your recovery, so that you can enjoy the fruits of your efforts once your body has completely healed.

3.Follow Instructions

Doctors provide patients with complete post-operative instructions after plastic surgery, and these directions should be followed as closely as possible for best results. Instructions may include pain medication that can be taken as needed, the use of ice to control swelling and restrictions on your physical activity. Doctors also offer advice on keeping the surgical area clean and promoting healing of the incision. When possible, stock up on necessary supplies and fill prescriptions prior to surgery, so you are fully prepared to carry out post-operative instructions as soon as you get home after your procedure.

4.Be Realistic

The truth is that when you undergo plastic surgery of any kind, you are bound to look worse before you look better. Swelling and bruising is not uncommon after these procedures, which can make you feel uncomfortable about going out in public or heading back to your office. If possible, take a few weeks off work to allow your body time to fully recover. Don't spend time worrying about what you look like right after surgery, since it will take time for your body to heal and experience the results of the procedure. Check incision sites regularly, and call your doctor if you notice signs of infection or other symptoms that might indicate the area of the surgery is not healing properly.

5. Protect Your Skin

Once you begin venturing outdoors after surgery, it is very important to properly protect your skin from the damaging UV rays of the sun. Use a sunscreen that contains a minimum SPF of 15 and wear a hat whenever possible. Never leave your house without adequate protection and try to avoid sun exposure during the hottest periods of the day. Sun exposure can make scars more visible and hinder the healing process.

Ensuring a full recovery after plastic surgery involves taking the time to care for yourself and follow your doctor's directions to the letter. With sufficient rest and care, your cosmetic procedure is much more likely to be comfortable and successful.

http://www.plasticsurgeryportal.com/articles/plastic-surgery-recovery-tips/133

HOW IVF WORKS

IVF ( IN VITRO FERTILIZATION)

IVF (in vitro fertilization) is the most common form of ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology). If the fallopian tubes are damaged or the sperm is poor, it is obviously the only acceptable treatment. It is also usually the most effective treatment for most other types of infertility as well. The eggs are fertilized in our laboratory, and the resulting embryos then are placed into the uterus 2 to 5 days later. This procedure achieves remarkable pregnancies even in women with hopelessly damaged fallopian tubes, seemingly sterile husbands, and even “unexplained” infertility. Problems with the husband’s sperm are never a serious issue, since we can fertilize the eggs with ICSI. In fact, in our program we routinely use ICSI in all cases to guarantee against any risk of failed fertilization.

HOW TO CHOOSE A FERTILITY CLINIC

Is in vitro fertilization on your mind?

 We've put together a list of questions to help you choose the best IVF clinic for you. 

As you gather helpful advice and search the web, keep these questions in mind:

1.  What are the local clinics' IVF success rates?

IVF clinic statistics change from year to year, depending on the number of cycles that are performed. Keep in mind that IVF success rates can be affected by many factors, including:

• The quality of eggs (largely related to a woman’s age)
• The quality of sperm (including motility and ability to penetrate the egg)
• The skill and competence of the IVF clinic team
• Other health and genetic factors

Know that IVF clinics that carry out smaller numbers of cycles may have more variability in success rates from year to year. If an IVF clinic carries out a large number of cycles, their success rates should not vary too much year to year.

2.  What’s the take-home baby rate of the IVF clinic?

The most important statistic of any IVF clinic is the end result or "How many women take home a baby?"

3.  What’s the implantation rate of the IVF clinic?

Another important statistic from each IVF clinic is the implantation rate. Implantation rate is calculated as clinical pregnancy rate divided by the number of embryos transferred. These statistics remove the bias of IVF clinics that transfer large numbers of embryos. 

Reproductive endocrinologists (fertility specialists) often feel differently about this issue. Get a sense of what your doctor recommends. 

4.  What are your personal chances of getting pregnant?

When choosing an IVF clinic, you also need to think in terms of “what are my personal chances of a pregnancy” as opposed to focusing only on the IVF clinic’s reported success rates.

How can you find this out? See a fertility specialist and ask! They can perform a thorough medical evaluation to let you know your chances of success with IVF.

                                    

5.  Do your friends or family members have IVF clinic referrals?

Some women select the right IVF clinic by getting referrals from friends who have used that IVF clinic. If your friend or relative had a great experience, chances are that you will too!

Ask other couples dealing with infertility what they liked and did not like about their clinics and doctors. You can also get a referral from your primary care doctor or OB/GYN.

6.  Do you have a good feeling about the doctor(s)?

You may have an intuitive sense as to which reproductive endocrinologist (fertility specialist) feels comfortable to you. For instance:

• Do you care about a doctor's years of experience or place where they were educated and trained?
• Do you feel more comfortable with a man or woman? 
• How is his or her bedside manner? Is that important to you?
• Do the doctors rotate patients frequently? 

These are all important questions to consider before you begin IVF.

Of course, these questions are just a guide to help you consider the various factors involved in choosing an IVF clinic. We hope that these questions get you thinking and help you narrow down your choices to help you move beyond infertility and have a baby.   

                              

http://attainfertility.com/article/choosing-ivf-clinic

A-To-Z List of Medications to Avoid Before 

Your Surgery

Certain medications — including commonly used over-the-counter medications and so-called natural supplements — can increase the risks associated with your facial rejuvenation procedure. Your surgeon should give you a complete list of medications to avoid before your surgery, including details about when to stop taking them.

It is still smart to tell your surgeon and anesthesiologist about everything (and we mean everything) you take on a regular basis or have taken in recent months, including products that you have since stopped taking. Many drugs and supplements take several weeks to leave your system. Importantly, never stop taking any prescription drugs without first clearing it with the doctor who prescribed them to you.

Here's an up-to-date A-to-Z List of Medications to Avoid Before Your Facial Plastic Surgery Procedure*:

A

All Advil products, Alka-Seltzer, Aluprin, Aleve, Amigesic capsules, Anacin, Ansaid, Analval, Anaprox, Anaprox-DS, Anaproxen, Anodynos, Ansaid, APC, Argesic, Arthra-G, Arthralgen, Arthritis Pain Formula, Arthritis Strength Bufferin, Arthropan, Arthropan Liquid, Ascodeen, Ascriptin, all Ascriptin products, Asperbuf, Aspercin, Aspergum, aspirin (of any kind, including suppository form), ASpirTab, Asprimox products, ASA Tablets, Axotal, Azdone, azulfidine products

B

B-A-C, all Bayer Aspirin products, BC Powder/Tablets, Bismatrol, bilberry tablets, Brufen products, Buff-A-Comp, Buff-A-Comp No.3 Tablets with codeine, Buffaprin, Buffasal, all Bufferin products, all buffered aspirin products, Buffets II, Buffex, Buffinol, Butalbital, Butal/ASA/caffeine compound, Butazolidin

C

Cama Arthritis Pain Reliever, Cataflam, carisoprodol, cayenne, Cephalgesic, Cheracol, Clinoril, Congespirin, Contac products, Cope, Coricidin products, Coumadin, Cosprin products, CP-2

D

Damason-P, Darvon products, Daypro, Deprenyl, diclofenac, diflunisal, dipryridamole, Disalcid, Diurex, Doan's products, Dolobid, Dolophine, Drinophen, Dristan products, Duoprin products, Duradyne DHC

E

Easprin, echinacea, Ecotrin products, Eldepryl, Emagrin, Empirin products, Emprazil, Endodan, Epromate-M, Equagesic, Equazine-M, etodolac, Excedrin

F

Feldene, fenoprofen, Fiogesic, Fiorinal products, Florgen, Flurbiprofen, 4 Way Cold products

G

Garlic tablets or supplement, Gelpirin, Genpril, Genprin, Gensan, Ghemnisym, Ginger, Gingko biloba, Goody's Headache Powder products

H

Haltran, heparin, Halfprin

I

Ibu, Ibu-Tab, ibuprofen, Ibuprin, Ibuprohm, Indocin, Indochron, indomethacin, Infantol, iproniazid, isocarboxazid, Isollyl

J

K

Ketoprofen, ketorolac

L

Lanorinal, licorice root, Lodine, Lortab ASA

M

Magan, Magnaprin, Magsal, all MAO inhibitors, Marnal, Marplan, Marthritic, Measurin, meclofenamate, Meclomen, Medigistic-Plus, Medipren, Menadol, Meprogesic, methocarbamol, Micranin, Midol products, Mobidin, Mobigesic, Momentum, Monogesic, all Motrin products

N

Nabumetone, Nalfon, Naprosyn, Nardil, nefazodone, Norgesic products, Norwich Extra Strength Aspirin, Nuprin, NyQuil/NyQuil P.M.

O

Omega-3 oil (fish oil), Orphenagesic products, Orudis, Oruvail, oxycodone/aspirin

P

P-A-C, Pabalate, Pacaps, Pamprin-IB, Panalgesic, Panodynes, papaya, Parnate, PediaProfen, Pedrazil, pentoxifylline, Percodan products, Persantine, Persisrin, PetoBismol, Phenaphen, phenelzine, pine bark extract, piroxicam, Presalin, Propoxyphene, Ponstel, Pycnogenol

Q

Quagesic, Quiet World

R

Relafen, Rexolate, Robaxin, Robasisal, Roxiprin, Rufen, Robaxisal

S

Salicylic acid, Salatin. Saleto products, Salflex, salicylamide, Salocol, salsalate, Salsitab, selegiline, Serzone, Sine-Aid products, Sine-Off products, Soma Compound products, St. Johns wort, St. Josephs Aspirin products, sodium thiosalicylate, Stanback Analgesic, Sudafed, sulindac, Supac, Synalgos products

T

Talwin, Tenol-Plus, Tolectin products, tolmetin, Toradol, tranylcypromine, Trendar, Trental, Triaminicin, Tricosal, Trigesic, Trilisate, Tri-Pain

U

Ultrapin, Unipro

V

Valesin, Vanquish, ViroMed, Vitamin E, Voltaren

W

Warfarin, Wesprin Buffered

X

Y

Yohimbe

Z

Zactrin, Zorprin

* This is not a complete list of all the medications and supplements that can cause problems with surgery or anesthesia. Consult with your surgeon regarding the medications you should avoid before and after your surgery or treatment.

                                                                        www.occulusmedical.com