Real
questions.

The questions patients actually ask, answered by the nurses who will look after you.

Before surgery

Getting
ready.

Will I really be awake the whole time?

[Answer from the nursing team.]

Can I drive myself home, or take an Uber?

No. You need a responsible adult to pick you up, sign you out and stay with you for the first 12 hours. The medication we give can make you drowsy for hours. Rideshares aren't allowed without prior approval.

Do I need to remove piercings?

Yes, for any area we're treating. Take dermal piercings out about 4 weeks before and keep them out until about 3 months after. Leaving one in raises infection risk, and we may have to cancel.

Remove belly button rings about 3 days before. You can put them back in after about a month.

I get the Depo-Provera shot. Do I need to stop?

Keep using it. If you normally get the shot in an area we're treating, switch to another site, such as your upper arm, at least 3 months before surgery, and avoid the treated area for 3 months after.

Many patients get a shot a few days before surgery, away from the treatment area, so they're covered through recovery.

I'm breastfeeding. Can I still have a procedure?

Yes. Pump and store extra milk for 4–5 days before surgery, then pump and discard for about 4 days afterward while the medication clears. You can breastfeed again from day 5.

I'm a thalassemia carrier. Can I still have surgery?

We're sorry, but no, even with medical clearance. The stress of surgery can trigger a crisis, and our office setting is designed for healthy elective patients. We'd recommend a surgeon who operates in a hospital and has experience with blood disorders.

What should I bring on the day?

[Answer from the nursing team.]

After surgery

Getting
better.

How sore will I be?

Many patients compare it to the hardest workout of their life.

Week 1: very sore, tender and stiff, improving every day.
Weeks 2–3: milder and much more manageable.
By 6 weeks: the soreness is usually gone.

Numbness or firmness can soften over a few more months. We give you a pain plan for every stage.

Do you provide aftercare?

We don't have an in-house recovery center, but we do your post-op check-ins. Many out-of-town patients book a local aftercare facility or a private nurse for a day or two. We can share places other patients have used, though we aren't affiliated with them.

When can I sleep on my back?

[Answer from the nursing team.]

How long do I wear the compression garment?

[Answer from the nursing team.]

When should I email you?

[Answer from the nursing team.]