Question:
I hope this doesn't make me sound vain...

I know they said I can't wear any finger nail polish, make up, powder, etc. just deoderant. What about toe nail polish... Forgive me for such a silly question but I just want to do anything I can to make myself feel half way alive up there! :) Renee    — Renee D. (posted on May 21, 2001)

May 21, 2001
Renee, I wouldn't think toe nail polish is okay either. It has to do with them monitoring the amount of oxygen your body gets. They can tell when the nails start turning blue. Bring nail polish with you and after the surgery maybe a family member can give you a treat. It's only during the surgery you can't have this. Best wishes
   — Linda M.

May 21, 2001
I went for a manicure and pedicure the weekend before surgery. I heard someone mention no polish but I did it anyway and brought some remover just in case. I asked my doctor about it and he said that there are more modern ways of monitoring the oxygen and they dont do it that way anymore... So, as usual, different doctors, different procedures. Make sure your doctor said no polish. If so, then no pedicure (polish anyway) til you are out. I thought that having my 'pigs" neat and clean was top priority. When I was lying in that hospital bed, it was the LAST thing on my mind. Good luck!
   — Jeannet

May 21, 2001
I wore both finger nail and toe nail polish, my was even the color changing kind where the colder you are the darker it gets. No one said anything about it to me. Wear what you want, the worst thing that can happen is they make you take it off.
   — Tracy C.

May 21, 2001
Renee- hi I am pre-op and when I went to testing last week I asked about toe nail polish and they said it was fine,although I do have to remove my toe rings. GO FOR IT. kim
   — Kimberly B.

May 22, 2001
The reason they don't want you to wear nail polish is so they can observe the natural coloring under your nails post-op. It is one of the sypmtoms of post-op problems I guess if the color changes.
   — KATIE B.

May 23, 2001
Hi Renee - dont worry about sounding vain - many of us had the same thought process of wanting to wake up feeling pretty in the hospital - I had my nails done - clear coated with french manicure type tips - if you are worried about colored nail polish on your toes, go for the french manicure on the toes - it is the in thing and looks great - that way you have no worries - good luck to you.
   — Sharon Jones