Worldwide Plastic Surgery 
Howard S. Sutkin, M.D.
555 Knowles Drive
Suite 110
Los Gatos, Ca 95032
408-871-0900
March 6th, 1999
To Our Patients,
Know your Rights
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.
Thank you for choosing AAPS Medical Center. We appreciate your business and are happy to serve you. 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 to get to know my patients and to make their surgery experience smooth sailing and pleasant. Whether you are having complex reconstructive surgery or you are electing to enhance your appearance, my office staff, private consultations, and personal goal is dedicated to creating a professional and calming experience for you.
After you choose a date for your surgery I have some suggestions for you.
First and foremost, write down all of your questions and ask them 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 healing.
Furthermore, you should avoid aspirin or aspirin containing products for a full two weeks prior to surgery of any kind. Remember that patient who take aspirin for their heart should check with me or their cardiologist prior to stopping their usual dosage. In addition eating any food or drinking even water may increase the risks of complication of surgery if done on the day of surgery.
Do not be worried about pain. Part of my success in plastic surgery 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 procedure. However, medications which are prescribed for your pain are not designed to completely erase discomfort. Usually a good rule of thumb is that some mild soreness is expected and normal.
Again, thank you for placing you trust in me. I'll see you in Recovery.
Howard S. Sutkin, M.D.