Next Steps
We’re three weeks out from your procedure. You’re probably feeling excited/anxious about it; that’s normal. I will be emailing you instructions to participate in guided-imagery meditation before and after your procedure. Guided-imagery will decrease anxiety, increase comfort during the procedure and improve and speed your healing after surgery. So, keep an eye out for that email enjoy the experience of practicing guided imagery-meditation.In the meanwhile, I need a few more things from you to complete preparations for your surgery.
1) Color. After each procedure you will be supplied with two prescriptive compression garments. The first will be put on you directly after surgery. This garment is always black because black hides stains better. You will change into a fresh garment two weeks later. Which color would you like that second garment to be, black or beige? Your garments can come in black or beige. Keep in mind you will be alternating between the 1st and 2nd garment every two weeks, for at least 8 weeks, or until your next procedure.
2) Pharmacy. You will prescribed 4 prescriptions prior to each surgery. These prescriptions will be sent to the pharmacy that we have on record by the end of Thursday prior to your surgery. We ask that you pick up your prescriptions up to 3 days before the procedure. These 4 medications are usually: Lorazepam (anti-anxiety, used during surgery), Cephalexin (antibiotic), Acetaminophen/Oxycodone (pain-med), Ondansetron (anti-nausea, used in conjunction with pain-med). If you have any known adverse reactions to any of these meds that you have not already discussed with our physician, please call me so we can send an alternative. You should pick up all of the meds, bring them with you to your procedure, but don’t take any until the doctor tells you at the surgery. Please, mark your calendar as a reminder to pick up these meds from your pharmacy at least 3 days prior to surgery. Additionally, review the pre-op instructions for a list of herbs/supplements/meds to discontinue prior to surgery. WHAT PHARMACY DO YOU WANT US TO SEND YOUR RX TO?
3) Grey Folder. You will receive a grey surgery folder at the time of your procedure. In the meantime please review your instructions a few times and at least once with your caregiver on your OnPatient Portal. These pre- and post-op instructions will be the same for each procedure and the same forms you sign prior to each procedure during online CHECK-IN. So keep those forms handy to review before later procedures.
4) CHECK-IN. You have already created an OnPatient account. OnPatient is Premier Lipedema Clinic’s online patient portal. Please login to OnPatient by visiting the clinic’s website www.premierlipedemaclinic.com and clicking on the gold “Patient Portal” button on the upper right hand of the home page. Once logged into OnPatient click on Appointments and locate your 9/30 appointment. CHECK-IN to that appointment. If you have not already done so, please, follow the prompts to upload a headshot photo, review demographic information, confirm your emergency contact (caregiver after surgery) and electronically sign consent/information forms (there are 8 of them) for your procedure (these are the same forms that will come in your grey folder). Later, if you want to access OnPatient to confirm future appoints or access clinical notes or pictures or instructions or consent forms, you can do so by downloading the OnPatient app to your phone or by logging into www.onpatient.com on your computer. Please confirm when you have completed CHECK-IN for surgery, so I can confirm we have everything we need.
5) Confirm MLDs (massage) and Followup appts. While you’re in OnPatient please review all these future appointments and make sure they are going to work for you and are on your calendar. Your first post op massage has been scheduled at Premier Lipedema Clinic with one of our specialists. Please preschedule MLD with your local specialist on the following dates: You are already scheduled in our office. Please, prioritize these appointments as they are critical for your recovery.
6) Prepare clothes for surgery day. Clothing that is loose is best for comfort and dressing. Over-sized loose/ stretch/ sweat pants, for example (even in the summer!) are best and preferred (to help hold bandages) as well as an over-sized shirt. You will be leaking blood-tinged fluid after the procedure, so choose clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Avoid tennis shoes and boots, especially if you are having a procedure on your legs. Croc-style shoes work best!
Here’s a link to my favorite lippy post-op products: https://stan.store/PremierBody. You will find some helpful items, including sandals, there.
7) Guided Imagery Meditation. I will be emailing you instructions to participate in guided-imagery meditation before and after your procedure. Guided-imagery will decrease anxiety, increase comfort during the procedure and improve and speed your healing after surgery. So, keep an eye out for that email enjoy the experience of practicing guided imagery-meditation.