Dr. Howard Sutkin, Plastic Surgeon Serving Los Gatos, Palo Alto, and San Jose
Thank you for choosing the Cosmetic Institute. We appreciate your business and are happy to serve you. My name is Dr. Howard Sutkin and I am a plastic surgeon serving the communities of Los Gatos, Palo Alto, and San Jose. I have found in the past few years that my patients have been well educated in plastic surgery. Much information is available directly from our office and on the internet. I do, however, wish to share some philosophies with you.
It is my goal and expectation as a plastic surgeon to get to know my patients and to make their plastic surgery experience smooth sailing and pleasant. Whether you are having complex reconstructive/plastic surgery or you are electing to enhance your appearance, my office staff, private consultations, and surgery programs are dedicated to creating a professional and calming experience for you.
Preparing for Plastic Surgery
After you choose a date for your plastic surgery, I have some suggestions for you.
First and foremost, write down all of your questions and ask them of the plastic surgeon prior to your surgery date. I believe that anxiety, prior to and during surgery, can actually affect the outcome. The mind-body relationship has only been partially elucidated. I recall a study whereby burn victims could actually "will" some of their burns to heal faster than others with the power of thought. A relaxed and calm attitude with a mix of anticipation may actually be medically beneficial in your plastic surgery healing process.
Furthermore, you should avoid aspirin or aspirin-containing products for a full two weeks prior to surgery of any kind. Remember that patients who take aspirin for their heart should check with their plastic surgeon or cardiologist prior to stopping their usual dosage. In addition, eating any food or drinking even water may increase the risk of complications if they are consumed on the day of plastic surgery.
Do not be worried about pain. Part of my success as a plastic surgeon for patients in San Jose, Los Gatos, and Palo Alto has been in finding ways of inhibiting the normal painful response to surgery. Frequently, I will administer long acting nerve blocks for comfort at the end of the plastic surgery procedure. However, medications which are prescribed for your pain are not designed to completely eliminate discomfort. Usually a good rule of thumb is that some mild soreness is expected and normal after plastic surgery.
Again, thank you for placing your trust in me. I'll see you in Recovery.
--Howard S. Sutkin, M.D., Plastic Surgeon
Know Your Rights
The Patient's Bill of Rights: A patient has the right to be treated with courtesy and respect, with appreciation of his or her individual dignity, and with protection of his or her need for privacy
If you need the services of a plastic surgeon in the Los Gatos, San Jose, or Palo Alto area, contact Dr. Howard S. Sutkin at the Cosmetic Institute.
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