How do I prepare for a hand rejuvenation treatment?
Your surgeon will provide thorough preoperative instructions, answer any questions you may have before your surgery, take a detailed medical history, and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for surgery (if you are getting hand enhancement surgery).
In advance of your procedure, your surgeon may ask you to:
- Follow a pretreatment program in which you will have to apply special creams, lotions, or gels to your skin for a few weeks or longer leading up to your treatment (for laser skin resurfacing or a chemical peel).
- Take certain oral medications before your treatment.
- Stop smoking before undergoing surgery to promote better healing.
- Avoid unprotected sun exposure. Too much sun up to two months before the procedure can cause permanent irregular pigmentation in the treated areas. Discuss sun protection and acceptable sun exposure with your surgeon.
- Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications that can cause increased bleeding.
- Hydrate before and after surgery for safe recovery.
Hand rejuvenation is usually an outpatient procedure. You may need to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you at least the first night following surgery.
What can I expect the day of my hand rejuvenation surgery?
Be sure to consult with your surgeon before your surgery so you have the most accurate expectations.
- You may have hand rejuvenation surgery in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility, or office-based surgical suite.
- Most hand rejuvenation procedures take thirty minutes to two hours to complete but may take longer.
- The surgeon will administer medications for your comfort during the procedure.
- Local anesthesia or intravenous sedation is common for hand rejuvenation procedures.
- For your safety during the procedure, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
- Your surgeon will follow the treatment plan discussed with you before your treatment.
- After your procedure, you will go to a recovery area for continued monitoring.
- After a fat transfer, your surgeon may place tape on the treated skin, which you will need to wear for three to four days.
You likely can go home after a short observation period unless you and your aesthetic plastic surgeon have made other plans for your immediate postoperative recovery.