CARE FOR YOUR STITCHES & SUPPLIES FURNISHED BY OUR OFFICE:
- Polysporin ointment
- Cotton tip applicators
- 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Instructions:
- Mix 2 tbsp. Peroxide with 2 tbsp. tap water in a small container
- Use cotton tip applicators and peroxide solution to clean all blood and material from incision lines. DO NOT leave any crust or blood on the stitched areas. Repeat a minimum of 4-5 times per day.
- Cover ALL incision lines and abrasions with ointment. Do not allow ANY area to dry out or scab over.
- Do not apply any bandages or other material to surgical areas unless otherwise instructed.
- Head dressing will be removed 24-48 hours after surgery and then you may wash your hair and blow-dry your hair on a low setting.
- Please clean surgical areas thoroughly and apply ointment just prior to returning to the doctor’s office for any appointments. Make certain you have done your best- failure to do so is the most frequent cause of complications (e.g.-excessive scarring, wound infection and breakdown, etc.)
POSITION
Elevate your head and neck using several pillows. It is very important to do so for 1-2 weeks after your surgery.
ACTIVITY
- During the first post-operative day, stay up as much as possible. You should sit, stand, or walk around rather than remain in bed. However, you should rest when you become tired.
- Avoid turning your head or bending your neck. You should move the head, neck, and shoulders as one unit when you turn.
- Avoid bending over or lifting more than 5 lbs. during your first week.
- Take extra precautions to protect your face from bumps, hits, or injuries for at least two weeks after your surgery.
COSMETICS
Do not use cosmetics for seven days after your surgery because makeup that is applied too soon may delay wound healing or become lodged in the wound and produce a tattoo.
SUN EXPOSURE
Avoid excessive sun exposure of the face for one month. Ordinary exposure is not harmful, but a sunscreen should be used.
HAIR CARE
You may wash your hair after surgery. A mild shampoo is recommended.
DIET
- For the first day, a liquid diet is recommended.
- On the second day, you may begin a diet of easy chewable food. After one week, you may resume your regular diet.
MEDICATIONS
- Pain medications – Take one when you arrive home. One tablet can be taken every 4-6 hours as needed for pain.
- CAUTION: Do not drive or operate dangerous machinery while taking pain medications.
- Sleep medication – This will only be prescribed if you are having difficulty sleeping.
- Avoid taking aspirin or aspirin-containing compounds during the first week.
OTHER
- Jaw movement – Avoid yawning or excessive opening of your mouth for two weeks after surgery.
- Athletic activities – Avoid swimming and other strenuous activities for four weeks after surgery.
YOU MAY EXPERIENCE ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Swelling – Following surgery, swelling is a normal occurrence. It usually peaks 48-72 hours after surgery and slowly resolves around the next 1-2 weeks. Slight amounts of swelling may persist for up to 6-8 weeks.
- Facial discoloration – The discoloration (bruising) will become more obvious on the second or third post-operative day. It rarely lasts more than two weeks.
- Thinning of the hair – Occasionally thinning of the hair in the areas adjacent to the suture lines (temple area and behind the ears) may occur.
- Numbness – Part of your face, neck, and ears may feel weak or numb after the facelift operation. This is usually temporary.
- Scars – After your stitches have been removed, the scars will have a pink or red color. With the passage of time, the redness will fade and the scar will become a less noticeable white line. This may take several months to a year to occur.
- Depression – It is not unusual for a patient who has undergone a cosmetic surgery procedure to experience a period of mild depression. It is important to realize that it is temporary and it will subside.