What to Expect

When women and men seeking a cosmetic plastic surgeon visit our clinics in Toronto and Mississauga, many wonder what to expect. Below, we've supplied a detailed description of what you'll experience, from your initial consultation to post surgery.

Consultation

The journey toward surgical self improvement should always begin with an in-depth consultation with your plastic surgeon, which provides an opportunity for you to ask questions and get a full picture of what your surgery will involve. Dr. Michael J. Weinberg believes cosmetic surgery is a collaborative process, and the consultation allows him to get a complete understanding of your goals and concerns so that all the important surgical decisions can be made in partnership with you.

During the consultation process, and again prior to surgery, both the benefits and the risks of the plastic surgery procedure will be explained in detail. Some of the general risks common to most surgical procedures include bruising, swelling, bleeding, and discomfort as well as the possibility of infection, delayed healing, skin breakdown, asymmetric results, altered sensation, scarring and blood clots, or the need for a second surgery. Fortunately, serious occurrences are very uncommon, particularly with procedures performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Weinberg. In addition to the general risks of surgery, there are always specific risks to each procedure, and while it is again rare for these to be serious, they should be reviewed with you in a straightforward and honest fashion by any reputable surgeon prior to a procedure.

Preoperative Period

After the initial consult, the next step is the preoperative period. You will meet with Dr. Weinberg's staff at Mississauga Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Clinic, including his registered nurse, and go over in detail the schedule of events leading up to your surgery and on the day of surgery. Depending on the procedure, there may be a few preoperative tests such as bloodwork that will need to be done. If you are having a procedure under general anesthetic, you may have an evaluation with the anesthetist prior to your procedure. In the weeks leading up to your surgery, Dr. Weinberg and his staff offer the following tips:

Continue regular exercise. Fitness helps surgical recovery.
Don't take aspirin, anti-inflammatories like Advil, vitamin E, or green tea, or herbal remedies like Ginko Biloba as these are all blood thinners.
Do not smoke. Smoking increases risks of surgery, and negatively affects healing as it can result in poor blood supply to tissues.
Do not drink alcohol as it can interfere with the anesthetic.
Take your usual medications.
Advise our staff of any change in your health, including the development of cold or flu. Dr. Weinberg and the staff will evaluate whether any health issue is significant.

Meet Dr. Michael J. Weinberg Plastic Surgeon, BSc, MD, MSc, FRCS(C)

Dr. Michael J. Weinberg is a Royal College certified plastic surgeon, and is committed to helping you achieve a youthful and vibrant appearance.

The Day Before Surgery

Before you know it, it will be the day before your surgery. You will want to call the clinic to confirm the time of your procedure and the time you should arrive, which is usually one and a half hours beforehand. Ideally you should pick up any post operative medication and dressings Dr. Weinberg has recommended, and pack your bag for the day of surgery. The staff will advise you that you should not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before surgery, including water, candy and gum.

The Day of Surgery

Your big day has finally arrived! No doubt you will be excited at the prospect of the new you, but naturally you may be a bit nervous. Just remember that Dr. Weinberg and his staff will be there to ensure you feel comfortable and that the entire day runs smoothly. Remember that only fully qualified anesthetists and registered nurses assist Dr. Weinberg in the operating room, and their main concern at all times is your safety and the success of your surgery, so take a big breath, relax and enjoy the ride!

Instructions for the day of your plastic surgery procedure at our Toronto or Mississauga clinic include showering, and shampooing your hair. Provided Dr. Weinberg and the anesthetist have said it's appropriate, you can take your usual medications with sips of water. You may also be asked to take a specially designed "cocktail" of pain medication in advance of surgery. Premedicating in this way has been shown to markedly reduce post operative discomfort. Wear comfortable clothing that is loose fitting. Patients who are having liposuction should bring a support garment, such as Spanx, to wear after surgery. It is preferable to leave all valuables at home. Do not wear makeup. Most surgical patients are encouraged to wear support stockings, obtained from the clinic, during and after their surgery, and these can be put on the morning of surgery at the clinic. You will need transportation to and from the clinic by a friend or family member, and a responsible adult to stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.

Immediately after surgery you will be closely observed and monitored by Dr. Weinberg, the anesthetist and our registered nurses. You will wake up and recover in our beautiful, airy and sun filled recovery room with a view of the back garden! Depending on the procedure you have undergone, you may require medication to minimize discomfort. Sometimes people are anxious about this aspect of cosmetic surgery. At Mississauga Cosmetic Surgery Clinic, it is our mandate to ensure as comfortable a recovery as possible. An innovative device we use to offer our patients the most pleasant cosmetic surgery experience is the Pain Pump. This is a small device the size of one's hand that contains the pain medication Bupivacaine. Small tubes implanted in the surgical site during surgery continuously feed the medication from the device directly to the surgical wound. This continues for the first 24 hours after the surgery, numbing the area such that patients usually require much less, if any, oral pain medication. The pump can then be disposed of.

Only when you are fully recovered will the staff assist you in getting ready to leave the clinic. You will have been given full instructions for the postoperative period by the staff prior to surgery, and a complete set of written instructions will be provided upon your departure later that day. Modern surgical and anesthetic techniques have so revolutionized patient recovery times that in the vast majority of cases patients can be discharged the same day and recuperate in the comfort of their own home!

The Postoperative Period

The recovery time after surgery will vary from procedure to procedure. General tips include taking it easy, pampering yourself and letting others pamper you. In general, patients cannot drive for 24 hours. Water and simple bland food is recommended for the first day. You will have received detailed instructions regarding dressings and medication, but if you have any questions at all Dr. Weinberg and the clinic staff are always reachable. Dr. Weinberg prides himself on exceptional availability to his Toronto plastic surgery patients during the post-op period, and encourages patients to call immediately if they have any concerns. His registered nurses are also available, knowledgeable, and pleased to help patients through any issues that crop up during recovery. Regular standardized postoperative follow up appointments, typically within the first 2 weeks, and again at 6 weeks, and close ongoing contact with the clinic will be arranged throughout this time to ensure optimum results.