Health history
- Current prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements
- Prior procedures, current conditions, allergies, and relevant healing history
- Nicotine, alcohol, or other substance use that may affect anesthesia or healing
Patient guide
Prepare carefully. Recover with a clear plan.
Consultation, surgery preparation, and recovery are easier to navigate when the clinical team has a complete health history and the practical details are organized before treatment.
Before surgery
Prepare for consultation
Be ready to discuss current and past medical conditions, previous procedures, prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, allergies, and any alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, or other substance use that could affect anesthesia or healing.Practical preparation
Describe the concern in your own words, the degree of change you hope for, and the result you would not want. Dr. Nguyen will explain what may and may not be achievable and, when treatment is recommended, provide a written estimate. A trusted friend or family member is welcome at consultation.
- Confirm required testing and medical-clearance steps.
- Plan time away from work and routine responsibilities.
- Arrange a responsible driver and the recommended home support.
- Fill prescriptions and prepare the recovery area as directed.
The day of surgery
Build the surgery-day plan
The office will issue instructions for the exact procedure and anesthesia plan, including medicines, testing, eating and drinking, skin preparation, arrival time, transportation, clothing, and the support needed after discharge.Confirm before leaving home
- A responsible driver and the level of help needed after discharge
- Procedure-specific eating, drinking, medication, and skin-preparation directions
- Comfortable clothing, arrival time, prescriptions, and an after-hours contact plan
If instructions conflict
Call the office before eating, drinking, taking or withholding a medicine, or traveling to the facility. Do not rely on an old handout, another patient's plan, or a general web page.
Recovery
Organize recovery support
Before surgery, know who will drive, who will be available at home, and how to reach the practice after hours. The amount of help, time away from work, positioning, walking, and activity limits depends on the procedure and the individual plan.At-home plan
- Expected swelling, bruising, sensation changes, and activity limits
- How to care for dressings, drains, garments, and showering when applicable
- Which symptoms require an office call, urgent evaluation, or emergency services
Follow-up
Your instructions will cover incisions, dressings, drains, showering, supportive garments, swelling, prescribed medicines, follow-up visits, and the symptoms that require a routine call, urgent evaluation, or emergency care.
Common questions
Confirm the details before surgery day.
Bring questions such as “What help, time away from work, and follow-up should I arrange?” and make sure the answers match your exact procedure and support needs.01Which medicines or supplements should I stop?
Do not make medication changes from general website guidance. The office will review prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, allergies, and health conditions, then issue directions for your specific plan.
02When should I stop eating or drinking?
Timing depends on the procedure and anesthesia plan. Follow the exact eating and drinking instructions issued by the care team, and contact the office if anything is unclear.
03Will I need someone at home?
Transportation and home-support needs depend on the procedure and anesthesia. Confirm who should drive you, how long a responsible adult should remain with you, and which activities will require help.
04How much time should I take away from work?
Downtime varies with the procedure, your health, the physical demands of your work, and healing. Ask the office for a plan tied to your procedure and responsibilities rather than relying on a general estimate.
Private consultation · by request
Plan the next step with the care team.
Share what you are interested in, and the office can follow up with clear next steps.
Request consultationPrefer to talk? Call the office.