The best surgery day is planned a week ahead, meds verified, nicotine stopped, fasting followed, ride and helper arranged. Postpone without guilt if you’re unwell, miss fasting, or use nicotine within the no-smoke window; pushing through raises avoidable risk.

Your best surgery day is planned a full week in advance, not rushed together the night before. Confirm which medications to pause, stop all nicotine use in time, follow fasting rules precisely, and arrange a reliable ride home with a helper.

Morning of surgery: take a quick antiseptic shower, skip all lotions and perfumes, wear front-opening clothes, and bring your documents in order. If you develop a fever, skin infection, or miss the nicotine-free window, call us early to reschedule safely; one date change is usually accommodated, but repeated changes or cancellations may attract a fee.

If anything feels off or uncertain, call your surgeon early. We'd rather reschedule and keep you safe than proceed when conditions aren't optimal.

Your last-week prep, day by day

T-7 to T-5 days

Confirm your medication list with the surgical team:
Confirm your meds list with the team. Some blood thinners/NSAIDs, high-dose vitamin E, fish oil, and herbals (ginkgo/ginseng/garlic) may be paused to reduce bleeding risk. Never stop prescription drugs for chronic conditions without explicit surgeon/anesthetist approval.

Nicotine-free window:
Aim for 4–6 weeks completely nicotine-free, no smoking, vaping, patches, or chewing tobacco. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and increases wound problems and poor scar quality.

Labs and clearances:
Complete any ordered pre-operative tests, complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia, fasting glucose or HbA1c if diabetic, thyroid function if indicated. Address deficiencies early so surgery isn't delayed.

T-4 to T-2 days

Practice your post-op routine:
Walk around your home and practice deep breathing exercises. Set up a recliner or arrange two firm pillows to create a head-elevated sleeping position, test it for comfort before surgery day.

Pack your surgery bag:
Front-opening surgical bra (if not provided by the clinic), loose zip hoodie or buttoned shirt, soft elastic-waist trousers, slip-on shoes, ID and insurance documents, medication and allergy lists, phone charger, small lip balm, tissues, and a folder for discharge instructions. Optional: small cushion for seatbelt padding and absorbent pads for under-breast sweat.

T-1 day

Follow fasting rules:
Eat a light, early dinner. Then follow NPO (nothing by mouth) instructions—typically no solid food for six to eight hours before surgery, and clear water only up to two hours prior if your anesthetist allows. Confirm exact cutoff times with your team.

Confirm logistics:
Double-check your driver's contact information, confirm the hospital route and check-in time, and ensure your helper knows they'll need to stay with you the first night at home.

T-0 morning

Antiseptic shower: Use the antiseptic soap provided by your surgeon. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel. Do not apply moisturizers, lotions, oils, perfumes, deodorants, or makeup afterward, clean skin reduces infection risk.
Remove all accessories: Take off jewelry, piercings, contact lenses, nail polish, and heavy hair products. Tie your hair back with a simple band.
Wear front-opening clothes: A loose zip hoodie or buttoned shirt, soft sports trousers, and slip-on shoes make dressing after surgery painless.
Bring only approved medications: Take only the medicines your surgeon or anesthetist explicitly approved for the morning, with a small sip of water if allowed.
Arrive early: Plan to reach the hospital or clinic an hour before your surgical check-in time for admission process, consent review, surgical markings, and pre-operative checks.

A quick audit for safety and clarity

Before surgery day, confirm these details with your surgical team to avoid last-minute confusion or anxiety:

Where is my surgery taking place? Is the operating theater accredited by a recognized body?
Who is the anesthetist? Will I meet them before the procedure to discuss my medical history?
DVT prevention plan: Are compression stockings, pneumatic leg pumps, or anticoagulant medications part of the protocol?
Will I have drains? If yes, who will teach me drain care, and when are they typically removed?
Antibiotic protocol: When will antibiotics be administered, before incision, during surgery, or after? What's the duration?
Escalation pathway: If I call after hours with a concern, who answers, and where should I go if urgent evaluation is needed?
Consent specifics: What's the expected tissue resection range? Which scar pattern will be used (lollipop or anchor)? What are the symmetry goals? What does the revision policy cover? Are there added costs if an overnight stay becomes necessary?
Follow-up schedule: When are the first two review visits scheduled, one week, two weeks?

Use our pre-op questions for your surgeon (checklist) to prepare thoroughly and compare plans if you're consulting multiple surgeons.

The clean, simple routine

Your morning-of-surgery checklist ensures you arrive prepared and reduces infection risk:

Shower with antiseptic soap: Rinse thoroughly, dry with a clean towel, and skip all lotions, oils, or creams afterward.
No makeup, nail polish, perfumes, or deodorants: These interfere with surgical markings, monitoring equipment, and sterile protocols.
Hair: Tie back neatly with a simple band; avoid heavy gels, sprays, or styling products.
Clothes: Front-opening zip hoodie or buttoned shirt, soft elastic-waist trousers, slip-on shoes. You'll appreciate easy dressing when you're groggy and sore post-surgery.
Remove all accessories: Jewelry, piercings, contact lenses, watches, hair clips, leave them at home or give them to your helper.
Bring only approved medications: Take morning doses only if your surgeon or anesthetist explicitly cleared them, with a small sip of water.
Arrive early: Plan for pre-operative consent review, surgical markings on your skin while standing, and final checks before entering the operating room.

Pack once, pack right

Your surgery-day bag should include:

Front-opening surgical bra (if not provided by the clinic), loose zip hoodie, soft shawl or cardigan.
ID and insurance documents: Photocopies are fine; originals if required by your facility.
Payment method: Credit card, debit card, or cash as specified by your clinic's billing policy.
Medication and allergy lists: Typed or handwritten clearly, including dosages and frequencies.
Emergency contact information: Names and phone numbers of two people who can be reached immediately.
Phone and charger: Essential for post-op communication and follow-up scheduling.
Small comforts: Lip balm (anesthesia causes dry lips), tissues, a bottle of water for after discharge.
File folder: For discharge instructions, prescriptions, scar-care product information, and follow-up appointment cards.
Optional extras: Small cushion to pad the seatbelt line during the ride home; absorbent pads for under-breast sweat during the first week.

Getting home and through the first evening

Ride home:
Sit upright with the seat slightly reclined, not fully flat. Use a seatbelt with a small cushion if the strap feels uncomfortable across your chest. Avoid bumpy roads and sudden braking where possible.

First evening routine:

Medications clock: Take your first post-operative dose on time as instructed—don't wait until pain becomes severe. Set phone alarms for each scheduled dose. We provide a simple medication schedule card to eliminate guesswork.

Positioning: Sleep with your head elevated on two firm pillows or in a recliner. Place small pillows under your arms or behind your shoulders to reduce tension on incisions. Use pillow barriers to prevent rolling onto your side during sleep.

Food and fluids: Start with clear liquids, water, diluted juice, clear broth, then progress to light, bland food if you have no nausea. Avoid heavy, spicy, or greasy meals that can upset your stomach while anesthesia clears your system.

Wound care: Keep dressings clean and dry. Do not apply heat to your chest, it increases swelling. Cool packs can be applied over your surgical bra (never directly on skin) for 10–15 minute intervals if advised.

Call early for any red flag: Don't wait to see if symptoms improve on their own, early intervention prevents complications from escalating.

See the month-by-month milestones in the breast reduction recovery timeline.

Better to delay than to regret

Postpone without hesitation if any of the following apply: rescheduling is always safer than proceeding through illness or missed prep.

Fever, sore throat, cough, or recent flu or cold: Anesthesia and wound healing are compromised when your immune system is fighting infection.
Active skin infection or rash: On the breast, under-breast fold, or surgical area: even minor infections dramatically increase post-operative complication risk.
Uncontrolled blood pressure, blood sugar, thyroid disorders, or anemia (low hemoglobin): These conditions must be optimized before elective surgery.
Nicotine use within the last four to six weeks: This includes smoking, vaping, nicotine patches, and chewing tobacco. There is no safe threshold: nicotine reduces blood supply to healing tissues.
Missed fasting window or took a stopped medication by mistake: For example, accidentally taking an NSAID or blood thinner the morning of surgery. Notify your team immediately.
Recent travel illness: Gastrointestinal upset, dengue-like fever, or a new antibiotic course started within the past few days.
Major weight change in recent weeks: Significant weight gain or loss alters surgical markings and planned resection volumes.

Remember: Postponing surgery is frustrating, but wound complications, infections, or anesthesia risks are far worse. We will reschedule without penalty. Safety always comes first.

Call us immediately if you notice…

After surgery, contact your surgeon without delay if you experience any of these red flags:

One breast becomes suddenly larger, tenser, or more painful: Possible hematoma (blood collection) requiring urgent drainage.
Fever of 101°F or higher, shaking chills: Signs of infection.
Spreading redness, hot skin to touch, or foul-smelling drainage from dressings: Bacterial infection indicators.
Blue, grey, or black discoloration of nipple or areola skin: Circulation emergency requiring immediate intervention.
Severe, unrelieved pain despite taking prescribed medications: May indicate a developing complication.
Shortness of breath, chest pain, or calf swelling and pain: Potential deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), life-threatening clot emergencies.
Any concern that doesn't feel right: Trust your instincts. If something feels "off," call, don't wait.

Our philosophy: We prefer a midnight phone call to a missed problem. Early intervention saves time, stress, and prevents complications from worsening.

Local timing tips that reduce stress

Metro and traffic:
Avoid rush-hour check-in and checkout times, Gurgaon traffic between 8–10 AM and 6–8 PM can add 45–60 minutes to your journey and increase stress. Pre-book a cab or a reliable driver who knows quiet routes. Plan a calm, smooth ride home rather than navigating metro transfers while groggy and sore. Reaching in time will help the team give their best. Most surgeons like to get on with their day on time because they have planned the day especially for you. OT timings need to be respected.

Heat and humidity:
Delhi NCR heat and sweat can irritate fresh incisions during the first one to two weeks. Wear loose, breathable cotton layers and use absorbent pads under the breast fold. Carry a water bottle and stay hydrated, especially during warmer months.

Festival calendar:
Avoid scheduling surgery immediately before major festivals, family weddings, or events requiring heavy clothing and long hours on your feet. Plan blouse fittings and formal wear try-ons for six to eight weeks post-surgery when swelling has settled.

Office norms:
If your job involves frequent stair climbing, lifting files or equipment, or extended standing, arrange work-from-home for the first week or two. Discuss phased return-to-office plans with your surgeon to avoid overexertion.

Make surgery day smooth and safe

Why do patients choose SB Aesthetics for prep & recovery? Most choose SB Aesthetics for the sheer experience of a team headed by Dr Shilpi Bhadani. The entire team stays closely involved from planning to post-op, and patients repeatedly highlight how they feel heard, not rushed.

On top of that, having an experienced female plastic surgeon like Dr Shilpi Bhadani often makes it easier to discuss symptoms, body-image worries, and family or work pressures openly.
Behind this sits a clear, structured system: scheduled follow-ups (≈ 1, 2, 6, 12 weeks), itemised quotes, and a surgical team that remains reachable during healing. Your prep plan is tailored to your medications, commute, home setup, work schedule, and even Delhi NCR realities like traffic, heat, and festival calendars.

We lock in timelines together, give you a one-page fridge checklist, and share direct contact numbers so you’re never left guessing if something is normal or needs attention.
Ready for a tailored prep plan? See breast procedures at SB Aesthetics (Gurgaon/Delhi NCR).

FAQs

What should I not do the night before surgery?

Don't eat after the fasting cutoff, don't drink alcohol, and don't apply lotions, creams, or deodorant. Pack your documents, charge your phone, and recheck your ride and arrival time so morning stress is minimal.

Which medicines usually need to be stopped before surgery?

Some blood thinners, NSAIDs, high-dose vitamin E, fish oil, and certain herbals like ginkgo or garlic. Never stop prescription medications for chronic conditions without explicit surgeon or anesthetist approval, confirm your personalized list a week ahead.

How long should I stop smoking or vaping before breast reduction?

Aim for four to six weeks completely nicotine-free before and after surgery. Nicotine reduces blood supply to healing tissues and raises risks of wound breakdown, infection, and poor scar quality.

Can I wear a bra or deodorant to the hospital?

Wear a clean, front-opening bra if advised by your surgeon. Skip all perfumes, deodorants, moisturizers, and makeup on surgery day, clean skin is essential for accurate surgical markings and maintaining sterility.

Do I need someone to stay with me the first night?

Yes, absolutely. Have a responsible adult with you who can help with medication timing, food preparation, position adjustments, and watching for red-flag symptoms so you can rest and recover safely. See how painful is breast reduction and for how long?

What if I develop a cold or fever two days before surgery?

Call the clinic immediately. We often postpone to avoid anesthesia complications and wound-healing risks. It's always safer to reschedule than push through illness and face avoidable complications.

Day-of-surgery prep & "when to postpone" checklist for breast reduction (Delhi/Gurgaon)