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Compass - Surgery Advice

Preparing For Surgery

No aspirin before surgery - it'll make brusing and swelling worse.
Take Shark cartilage for leukocyte formation to fight infection.
Take Vitamin C 1000 mg w/ bioflavanoids and rutin for tissue integrity.
Eat a nutritious, high-protein diet.
Before you leave for surgery, arrange your living space so that you won't have to reach for anything you need (food, etc.) when you get home.
If it's going to be warm or hot after your surgery, you might want to ask the doctor ahead of time to order you two vests/binders. That way when the one you're wearing gets dirty you can wear the other while washing the first one.

Acidophilus supplements (you can get them anywhere they sell vitamins) to take while you're on antibiotics to prevent yeast infections - you DON'T want those to happen. You can also eat plain yoghurt every day, but it's much easier to just take the acidophilus supplements.
Large safety pins (get about 4-6 of them just in case). You'll want to pin your drain-bottles to your vest to keep them stationary.
Button-down pajamas and button-down shirts. You won't be able to get clothing up over your head after surgery.
Sweat-pants. Immediately after surgery you might be too swollen to fit into the jeans you wore that morning.
Backscratcher. Get one so you won't pull any of your stitches trying to scratch your back.
Baby wipes or some sort of "Wet Ones" so you can keep clean during the time before you're allowed to shower again.
Loofah on a LONG handle. Reaching your shoulders, upper arms, and back is painful for a while after surgery, and it can also stretch/rip your stitches.
Bendable straws in case you're too sore to lift drinks the first couple of days.
Slippers and slip-on shoes. Take loafers, flip-flops, or anything you don't have to bend for (see below).

DO NOT BEND OVER for several days after surgery and it puts pressure on your new chest and can cause hemorrhaging, breaking of stitches, tears, etc. Stoop by bending your knees, keeping your back straight.
DON'T carry your luggage after surgery. You will traumatize your chest this way by causing internal bleeding or pulling stitches. Have someone carry it for you. If you're alone, ask for assistance.
Keep you arms down by your sides for at least the first month to avoid stretching your scars.
If you have scars, once the surgical tape is off your scars, rub Palmer's Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E lotion on them to help them fade.
If you have scars, KEEP YOUR SCARS OUT OF THE SUN FOR A YEAR TO PREVENT KELOIDING. If you must go out in the sun bare-chested, put white medical tape over your scars – not even the strongest sunscreen can do the job.