Operation Instructions

What to Expect Before and After Your Surgery With Dr. Stephanie Farber, MD

Deciding to have plastic surgery is a personal choice, and it usually feels most comfortable once you can picture what the experience actually involves. This page walks through the same preparation and recovery guidance Dr. Stephanie Farber gives every patient, from managing medications in the weeks before surgery to what a typical recovery looks like once you are home. Whether you are still weighing your options or have already scheduled a procedure, consider this an honest, detailed look at what surgery with our practice really involves.

Each patient and procedure is unique, so if Dr. Farber has given you instructions that differ from what is written here, please follow her specific recommendations. You are always welcome to call our office at (470) 961-9950 with questions or concerns, and a member of our staff will be happy to help.

How We Support Your Decision in Milton, GA

It is normal to have questions long before you feel ready to commit to surgery, and Dr. Farber welcomes them. Every patient at Stephanie Farber Plastic Surgery starts with a one-on-one consultation, where she reviews your health history, answers your questions directly, and builds a surgical plan around your goals rather than a standard checklist. The instructions below reflect that same personalized approach: once you and Dr. Farber agree that surgery is the right next step, this is what preparing for it and recovering from it will look like.

To talk through your questions before deciding on anything, contact Dr. Farber at (470) 961-9950 or schedule a consultation at our Milton, GA practice. There is no pressure to move forward until you feel ready.

Before Your Surgery: Preoperative Guidelines

Once your surgery is scheduled, preparation begins in the weeks beforehand. Dr. Farber will go through the following with you in detail, tailored to your procedure and health history.

Review your medications with Dr. Farber so that she can determine which you should continue or stop prior to surgery. In general, for one week before and after surgery you should:

  • Avoid any NSAIDs such as Aspirin, Motrin, Aleve, Advil, and other related medications that can increase your risk of bleeding
  • Stop taking any vitamins or supplements unless specifically approved by Dr. Farber
  • Discuss any anticoagulants or blood thinners you are taking with Dr. Farber and your PCP or cardiologist so that they can recommend the best course of action for you

You will also need to:

  • Ensure that you are eating sufficient protein. Protein is very important for your wounds to heal properly. In general, you should consume 1-2 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight for 1 week before and 1 month after surgery. For example, a 135lb or 60kg woman should consume 60-120g of protein per day leading up to and after her surgery
  • Follow the instructions you have received for what time to stop eating and drinking the night before surgery
  • Follow the instructions you have received for when and where to undergo preoperative COVID testing
  • Call the office immediately with any changes in your health or medications

After Your Surgery: What Recovery Looks Like

Recovery looks a little different for everyone, but here is what most patients can expect as they heal.

Dressings and Wound Care

Dr. Farber will apply a dressing that stays in place for the next 2-3 weeks. You do not need to remove or change it. If the adhesive becomes too sticky, you can place clean gauze over the top to keep it from adhering to your clothing.

You may shower 48 hours after your surgery. When showering, you may allow soapy water to run over your incisions, but you should not allow water to hit your surgical site directly. You should never take a bath or submerge your incisions until Dr. Farber has cleared you to do so.

Avoid lifting anything heavier than a milk carton or engaging in strenuous activity until Dr. Farber clears you to do so, including any activity that raises your heart rate or blood pressure. Lifting and exertion increase the risk of postoperative bleeding or separation of your incisions. It is important to walk frequently, at least every 2 hours while awake, to reduce your risk of a blood clot.

Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of protein, as this supports wound healing. Avoid alcohol for the week before and after surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding.

Pain

You will be prescribed 3 pain medications to take on a schedule for the first few days after surgery: Celecoxib (an