Plastic surgery – general

Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty focused on the reconstruction, restoration, or alteration of the human body. It encompasses both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures aimed at improving a person’s appearance, function, or quality of life. Plastic surgery techniques can be used to repair congenital abnormalities, treat traumatic injuries, address medical conditions, or enhance aesthetic appearance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the word "anesthesia" mean?

Anesthesia means pain relief during surgery or a medical procedure.

There are at least three different methods of pain relief.

Local Anesthesia: A local anesthetic is injected into the tissues of the surgical area. Many surgical procedures can be performed without pain under local anesthesia. When using local anesthesia, a small dose of a sedative can also be given to the patient. In some cases, pain medication may be administered intravenously along with the local anesthetic.
Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia, and Other Regional Blocks: These methods provide effective surgical anesthesia for a specific area of the body.
General Anesthesia: The patient undergoes surgery under full anesthesia (being put to sleep). General anesthesia is achieved by combining several different medications. Providing safe general anesthesia is a highly specialized medical task. The level of anesthesia and the patient’s vital signs must be monitored throughout the anesthesia period and during recovery.

Should anesthesia be feared?

There are always risks associated with general anesthesia and other forms of anesthesia. However, over the past 25 years, anesthesia methods have advanced significantly. Today, the risks are minimal, provided the operating room is properly equipped and the surgical staff is professionally trained. Before anesthesia, the anesthesiologist conducts a thorough examination of the patient and assesses any potential risks. It is essential for the anesthesiologist to know all details that could affect the patient’s health.

Cityklinikka has two operating rooms, both equipped with anesthesia capabilities. We have a versatile, modern, and efficient two-level safety system in place to handle situations like power outages. We are also prepared to manage acute emergencies, such as unexpected allergic reactions. We do not compromise on equipment maintenance or operating room cleanliness.

Patient safety is further enhanced by the Kendall SCD compression system we use, which has been clinically proven to reduce the risk of both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Only healthcare professionals work in Cityklinikka’s operating rooms.

There is no need to fear anesthesia.

How much anesthesia do I need?

There is no standard dose; each anesthesia plan is tailored individually. Factors such as the patient’s characteristics and the nature of the surgery influence how anesthesia is administered.

Each of us reacts to anesthesia a bit differently. These differences are due to factors like genetics, health status, and metabolic rate. The amount of anesthesia varies based on the patient’s weight, age, gender, regular medication use, and overall health condition.

During anesthesia, bodily functions (such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing) are closely monitored, measured, and recorded.

Why can't I eat on the morning of surgery?

It is very important that the stomach is empty before anesthesia or sedation for surgery. During anesthesia, the reflexes of the stomach and throat do not function normally. As a result, the contents of the stomach can easily move upwards and into the lungs through the windpipe. If stomach acid reaches the lungs, it can cause lung damage, which in the worst case can be life-threatening.

Should I take my medication before the surgery?

Before the procedure, it is important to inform the surgeon about your medication well in advance. Most medications do not require any special adjustments, and you can continue taking them as usual until the day of the surgery. However, if you have diabetes or are taking blood thinners, the anesthesiologist must be informed. Your medication will be taken into account before and during anesthesia.

What about dietary supplements?

Medications and dietary supplements given during the procedure may cause unwanted interactions. Some herbal products can increase the tendency to bleed, which is not ideal for surgical patients. Certain supplements may also affect the effectiveness of pain medications.

We recommend stopping the use of supplements, vitamins, and herbal products two weeks before surgery and resuming them only once pain medications are no longer needed.

What should I do the evening before the surgery?

Remove jewelry and piercings.
Remove nail polish from both your fingers and toes.
If you are undergoing facial surgery, also remove false eyelashes and/or eyelash extensions.

Can I influence my own patient safety?

Patient safety is the most important and non-negotiable value of a skilled surgeon. You are in safe hands when you are operated on by a professional team.

However, before the surgery, it is important to carefully read and follow the instructions. By preparing for the surgery according to the guidelines, the risks related to the surgery and anesthesia are further reduced. Recovery will also proceed more smoothly when you are well and thoroughly prepared.

Plastic surgery wiki

Operation planning

Plastic surgery begins with a careful evaluation. Usually, the patient has already had a consultation with a nurse or doctor before the surgery day, which is free of charge. After that, there is still a consultation with plastic surgeon Riikka Veltheim before the surgery.

During the surgeon’s consultation, background information is gathered about the patient’s medical history and physical characteristics. The plastic surgeon listens to the patient’s expectations regarding what they hope to achieve with the procedure. This way, the surgeon can decide whether the procedure is feasible. At the same time, it becomes clear whether the patient’s expectations and motivations for the procedure are appropriate. In some cases, it may be better not to proceed with the surgery.

The surgeon reviews the area to be corrected together with the patient. The patient and surgeon consider the surgical techniques to be used, or for example, the size, shape, and material of implants. There is also an opportunity to reflect on whether this is the right time for surgery. Sometimes the operation can be postponed and non-surgical methods can still be used. The Crisalix 3D program can also be used with the surgeon to provide an indication of how the treated area (face/breasts) will look after surgery. With the consultation and 3D program, the patient gains a realistic understanding of the expected outcome.

The plastic surgeon explains the procedures, aftercare, and possible risks. The patient also has the opportunity to ask any questions they may have regarding the procedure and aftercare. We recommend lymphatic therapy for all our surgery patients both before and after surgery. Lymphatic therapy speeds up recovery and reduces swelling in the surgical area.

The surgeon’s consultation fee is 100 €.

Read more about plastic surgeon Riikka Veltheim’s education and professional experience.

General anesthesia

General anesthesia is part of certain plastic surgery procedures.
At Cityklinikka, some procedures are performed under general anesthesia. Whether it’s a major or minor plastic surgery, many patients have concerns about being put under anesthesia. Here, we have compiled information about:

What happens before anesthesia
What happens during anesthesia
What happens after anesthesia
Available alternatives
Risks associated with anesthesia

Before anesthesia

Before undergoing anesthesia, it is important to assess your general health. This assessment occurs before a surgery appointment is scheduled. To ensure your safety, we document up-to-date health information thoroughly and in detail.
Before scheduling your surgery, it’s helpful to consider the following:

Past and current illnesses
Previous procedures and surgeries
Current medications
Medications taken in recent months
Allergies
Previous anesthetic experiences and any complications
Whether close relatives have experienced complications with anesthesia
Weight
Dental conditio
Tendency for motion sickness

It is essential to inform the anesthesiologist if you have respiratory infections, fever, cough, or breathing difficulties, as these increase the risk of complications during anesthesia.

You must also inform the care team about all medications you are taking.

Proper preparation

High blood pressure should be monitored before surgery. It is advisable to measure your blood pressure a few times in the months before the procedure. Contact us if your blood pressure is too high.

We recommend that patients pause estrogen medications when undergoing surgery. If you are taking estrogen (e.g., combination birth control pills, estrogen-based hormone replacement therapies), it is best to stop these a month before surgery and resume them one month afterward. Do not make any medication changes without guidance from a doctor.

Taking a break from smoking is also beneficial. We recommend quitting smoking at least four weeks before the procedure. It is also advisable to remain smoke-free for four weeks after surgery. A smoking break significantly reduces the likelihood of complications and promotes faster healing and better results.

Some dietary supplements should be avoided for two weeks before surgery. Avoid supplements like Omega-3 products and vitamin E, as they increase bleeding. For the same reason, avoid pain relievers that contain acetylsalicylic acid. If you have prescription medications, discuss their use with your doctor. Some medications may be substituted temporarily. Do not make changes without medical advice.

Continue taking any cardiovascular medications as usual, including on the day of the surgery. Be sure to inform the care team especially about blood thinners.

If the doctor prescribes medications to be taken after surgery, it is best to pick these up beforehand. At Cityklinikka, prescription matters are arranged well before the operation day, so there is no need to worry.
Arrive for surgery without any jewelry or piercings. Nail polish must also be removed from both fingers and toes.
For facial surgeries, come without makeup or eyelash extensions.

Critical fasting guidelines

Following fasting instructions is extremely important. This minimizes risks associated with surgery. Vomiting during surgery can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia.

Different foods vary in how quickly they digest in the stomach. Liquids generally exit the stomach faster than solid foods. However, not all liquids are equal. Orange juice, yogurt, and carbonated soft drinks remain in the stomach longer than water, apple juice, or black coffee.

Do not eat any solid food for six hours before arriving for surgery. This includes soups, yogurt, and similar items.
Fasting also applies to tobacco, snuff, chewing gum, throat lozenges, and similar items.

You may drink clear fluids — water, juice, tea, or black coffee — up to two hours before your arrival at the clinic.
If the fasting instructions on this site differ from those given by your doctor, always follow your doctor’s instructions.

After surgery

Recovery begins after the surgery and is unique to each individual. It is important to listen to your body and allow enough calm time for healing. Lymphatic therapy has been shown to speed up recovery and reduce pain and swelling associated with the healing process. Most importantly, avoid physical exertion and intense exercise.

However, light walks and time outdoors are often beneficial. We give every patient detailed post-op instructions to ensure the smoothest possible recovery.

It is essential that your expectations are realistic. Surgical results vary between individuals. We will discuss the procedure, recovery, and expected outcomes thoroughly both during the free consultation and the surgeon’s consultation.

When you return home after surgery, you will be provided with contact information for Cityklinikka and your operating surgeon. Do not hesitate to get in touch — we are happy to assist you with any recovery-related concerns.

Because many of our surgeries and treatments involve the face, it is important to take regular and thorough care of your skin even after the procedure.

After surgery, some localized swelling and bruising around the incision area is common. Slight oozing of blood or tissue fluid may occur for about two weeks post-op. Bruising can be treated with Arnizen cream and scars with Scarsilc gel.

Physical strain, lifting heavy items, and sudden movements should be avoided for about two weeks after stitches are removed.

Avoid tight and sweaty clothing around the wound area. Good nutrition and fitness support recovery.

Follow your aftercare instructions and attend the scheduled follow-up visit. Without this, we unfortunately cannot take responsibility for your post-operative care.

We are happy to provide more information about our surgeries. Please contact us after your operation if you have any questions.

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