Plastic Surgery Nursing
Date of issue: May 2024
Review date: May 2025
This information has been developed to supplement the information the doctor or healthcare practitioner has already given you.
If the review date has passed, the content will apply until the next version is published.
Local Anaesthetic
Local Anaesthetic involves you being awake throughout the procedure, but the area you are having surgery on will be numbed. You must read this leaflet and follow the instructions to ensure that your surgery journey goes smoothly.
Before your surgery
- Once in the theatre, you will be given a local anaesthetic injection to numb the area of surgery.
- The local anaesthetic should completely numb the area. If you feel any pain during the surgery, please alert a member of staff, and you can be given more local anaesthetic.
After your surgery
- You will be given a discharge advice leaflet, which will provide you with information about any stitches and dressings. The nurse will explain this leaflet to you.
- You will be informed of any follow-up appointment that has been arranged for you
- You will be advised when to contact the person driving you home, or a staff member can do this for you.
Information about your scar
- Following any surgery, you will be left with a permanent scar.
- It is usually longer than the size of the lesion removed.
- It will be unpredictable in terms of colour and texture (it can be red/pink and raised or rough).
- Your scar should fade over time (this may take up to 2 years) but will never completely disappear.
- Scar tissue has no natural protection from the effects of the sun. Sun protection should be used on any new scars to reduce the risk of burning. A high-factor sunscreen is recommended, especially for the first 12 months after surgery.
- Scar tissue has no self-lubricating properties. A gentle massage of the scar using a moisturising cream will help once the wound has healed and any stitches have been removed. This will help you get the best cosmetic appearance for your scar.
What you need to know about your appointment
If another person has Power of Attorney or Welfare Guardianship, please ensure this documentation is brought with you when you attend surgery.
If you cannot attend your surgery for any reason (for example, illness or work commitments), please contact the Plastic Surgery Secretaries as soon as possible so they can arrange a suitable date for you to attend. It will also allow the staff to make your appointment with someone else who needs it.
You may require a follow-up appointment with your GP or the specialist nurse 1-2 weeks after your surgery. If you plan to have a holiday within that time, please call the Plastic Surgery Secretaries as it may not be suitable for you to have your surgery.
Our nurse practitioner may perform your surgery. If this is the case, you will get separate information sent to you in the post.
Before coming to the hospital for surgery
- Your admission time will be either 8am or 12.30pm. This is not the time of your surgery.
- Please bring some entertainment items such as a book, knitting, and a mobile or tablet device to the hospital, as you could spend up to 5 hours in the department.
- You should organise transport to and from the hospital for your appointment as you will be having minor surgery. Depending on your surgery site, it may be unsafe for you to drive afterwards. It would be helpful if you could bring the contact telephone number of the person collecting you to the appointment.
- If you have no one to bring and collect you from your appointment and you require transport, please contact the Patient Transport Service on 0300 1231236 a few days prior to your appointment.
- You should inform your workplace and arrange some time off.
- Make childcare or dependant arrangements for the day of your surgery.
- You should continue taking your regular medication unless your consultant instructs otherwise. Also, remember to bring any inhalers, GTN sprays, and a list of your current medications to the hospital on the day of your surgery.
- You can eat and drink as usual on the day of your surgery.
- You remove nail polish (such as Shellac, Gel and Minx) and make-up.
- If you wear contacts, they may need to be removed – please bring a suitable container and your glasses with you.
- You should remove jewellery and piercings. Wedding rings may be left on unless your surgery is on your left hand or arm. Please leave valuables at home as we have nowhere to store them securely.
- You wear loose-fitting clothing and appropriate footwear. Sometimes after surgery, you may need padded dressings.
On the day of your surgery
- When you arrive at the hospital, please report to the area as instructed in your appointment letter.
- The receptionist will check your details (such as your name and date of birth) and will direct you to the appropriate area.
- A member of our nursing staff will complete the paperwork for your surgery and get you changed into a hospital theatre gown.
- You will meet with the consultant who will explain the surgery to you and ask you to sign a consent form for the operation.
Contact details
Queen Margaret Hospital
Monday to Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm
Plastic surgery secretaries
01383 623623 ext 24115 or 24212
Plastic surgery nursing team
01383 623623 ext 25757
If you are out-of-hours, please contact NHS 24 on 111.
Alternatively, you can contact your GP.
Patient transport service
0300 1231236
Accessible formats
If you require this information in a community language or alternative format such as Braille, audio, large print, BSL, or Easy Read, please contact the Equality and Human Rights Team at: email: fife.EqualityandHumanRights@nhs.scot or phone 01592 729130. For people with a hearing or verbal impairment you can also contact the team through the NHS Fife SMS text service number on 07805800005.
You can also find health related information on many topics in an Easy Read format on nhsinform.scot.
