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What To Do Once You Schedule Your Procedure Your Surgery Checklist

Written by Dr. Min S. Ahn · Updated June 16, 2026 Facial Plastic Surgeon · Diplomate, American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery · Diplomate, American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Now that you have made the decision to schedule your cosmetic surgical procedure, your mind is racing! There are a lot of details to keep in mind both before surgery and after to make your experience as smooth as possible. We have put together the following list of pre and post-plastic surgery tips to properly prepare you for your recovery, so you can focus on getting the rest you need.

Contents

1 Pre-op checklist
2 Plan ahead for meals:
3 Remember the medicine:
4 Some tips for your comfort and entertainment during recovery:

Pre-op checklist

Try to take care of as many household chores as you can:
Clean your house
If you have young children, consider having someone watch them for the first few days after your procedure
Take out the trash, recyclables, etc.
Have your laundry taken care of
Water your plants
Have someone watch your pets or tend to their needs beforehand – clean the litter box, leave pet food on the counter within easy reach with a can opener (so you don’t have to reach or kneel)

Plan ahead for meals:

Have someone prepare meals for you
Cook your own meals and freeze them
Stock up on easy-to-cook meals
Stock up on foods that are easy to digest (crackers, Jell-O, protein shakes, pudding, etc.)

Remember the medicine:

Pick up all your medications at the pharmacy beforehand
Leave them within easy reach and within your sightline

Some tips for your comfort and entertainment during recovery:

Have lots of movies, books and magazines around
Have lots of fluffy pillows on hand
Set up you nightstand with all your medications, water, light, tissues, some crackers, remote control and phone
Buy bags of frozen peas or corn for icing – place the frozen vegetables in small zip lock bags to make ice packs
A heating pad, or microwaveable moist heat pack is great for back soreness, especially from sleeping in a reclined position. Do not use this on the face.
Have some crackers and water on hand to help alleviate nausea, especially on the way home from the procedure
Place anything you may need at hip level to avoid bending over or reaching up – including in the kitchen and bathroom
Make sure to have comfortable shirts that open from the front, as well as comfortable bottoms. Shirts that you take off over the head can catch the earlobes accidentally.
Keep your hair off your face with hair ties
A child-sized toothbrush may come in handy if it is difficult to open your mouth wide

Last but not least, make sure you relax before and after your surgery! Increased anxiety can affect the surgery and recovery period. Remember that you will heal beautifully and look great. Patience is key.

We’re looking forward to seeing you.

About Dr. Min S. Ahn

Facial Plastic Surgeon · Ahn Point Center

Board certification

American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (verify)
American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (verify)

Education and training

Harvard University, B.A. in Biology, cum laude
George Washington University School of Medicine, with distinction; Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
University of California, San Francisco, Head and Neck Surgery (Internship/Residency)
Research at the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health and at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Department of Surgery
Medical degree, George Washington University School of Medicine, with distinction
Bachelor of Arts in Biology cum Laude, Harvard University (1985–1989)
Degree in medicine, with Distinction, The George Washington University School of Medicine (1990–1994)
Internship in General Surgery, The University of California at San Francisco (1994–1995)
Residency in Head and Neck Surgery, The University of California at San Francisco (1995–1999)
Fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The University of California at San Francisco (1999–2000)

Hospital affiliations

UMASS Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA

Memberships