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FaceLift Recovery

Post Face and Eye Surgery Instruction

ICE (To Decrease Immediate Face lift Swelling):                            

  • It is very important to apply ice to your face for the first 3 days after facial surgery; this will decrease any swelling or bruising that you may have.
  •  Apply ice for 15-20 minutes every 4-6 hour the first 24 hours after your procedure while awake.  You can use either an ice/gel pack wrapped in a soft cloth or frozen peas (in a plastic bag) wrapped in a soft cloth.

Warm SOAKS (To Decrease Late Face lift Swelling):    

  • On the 4th Post-Operative day (after facelift or eyelid surgery), use warm soaks to your facial incisions; apply for 15-20 minutes every 3-4 hours. You can do this for 2-3 days, while awake.

SLEEPING Position After Face Lift:        

  • If possible, sleep with your back elevated on 2-3 pillows for the first 3-4 nights; this helps to keep swelling to a minimum.  Just make sure your neck is not stretched.

ELASTIC WRAP After Faelift:

  • If you go home with a facial wrap in place, you must keep it on for 24 hours after your surgery.  You may take it off to eat & shower ONLY!
  • If your face lift involved liposuction or platysmaplasty you should wear the wrap for three days.  On the 4th post-operative day, you will need to wear the wrap at night-time (while sleeping) for one (1) week) See below for instructions on cleaning your incisions.

SHOWER AFTER FACELIFT

  • You may take shower 2 days after facelift or eyelid surgery.  You can wash you’re hair with baby shampoo.

FACELIFT INCISION CLEANING:

  • Clean your incision area twice (2) daily.
  • Use a mixture of half- &-half hydrogen peroxide and warm water for 7 days.
  • After cleaning your incisions, apply Bacitracin Ointment to the area(s) for 7 days.
  • It is important to keep your facial sutures moist; apply Bacitracin Ointment every 4-5 hours.

EYE INCISION INCISIONS:

  • If you have incisions either over or under your eyes, use WARM WATER
  • Only & apply Lacri-Lube Ointment to the area(s).
  • At night, apply the Lacri-Lube ointment directly into your eyes to keep them moist. To do this, apply a thin line of the Lacri-Lube along your lower lid, starting at your inner eye.  When you blink, the ointment will cover the eye & they will be kept moist.

This will make your vision slightly blurry.
If your incisions are not shiny; APPLY MORE.
USE ONLY WARM WATER ON YOUR EYES; NO PEROXIDE.

DIET AFTER FACELIFT:                         

There are no restrictions on your diet, but we recommend having a light meal after your procedure.  Good nutrition aids in the healing process.  Drink plenty of water & other fluids.

DRAINAGE (BLEEDING AFTER FACELIFT):   

  • Small bleeding is normal over the 4-5 hours after your procedure & could last up to 24 hours.
  • Some people will have more drainage than others; THIS IS NORMAL!
  • Excessive bleeding is not normal.
  • If you have bleeding from your incisions, apply light pressure to the area(s) with gauze 4X4 for 5 minutes, using 2-3 fingers.  If this doesn't stop the bleeding, notify Dr Simoni or go to the nearest emergency room.

MEDICATIONS (CONTROL INFECTION AND PAIN AFTER FACELIFT):  

  • Take pain medications as needed; Extra-Strength Tylenol is OK, but NO ASPIRIN PRODUCTS!
  • Take your Antibiotics as directed.  IMPORTANT: please finish all medication!
  • Take your sleeping medications (if prescribed) as needed. If you do not have sleeping medication you can take over the counter benadryl,
  • Take medications with food to help decrease stomach upset.

GENERAL (FACELIFT SWELLING):

  • The second or the third day is usually the worst day for swelling.  One side of your face may
    swell more than the other side & can be distorting.  Remember; this is normal---give it time. 
    This is part of the healing process.


SEDIATION:  

If you have sedation during your procedure or take prescription pain medications prior to your
procedure, DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR MAKE ANY IMPORTANT DECISIONS for 24 hours; medications may cause dizziness & can impair your judgment.
 
1)      KEEP EXERTION TO A MINIMUM: NO BENDING OVER OR LIFTING HEAVY OBJECTS MORE THAN 25 POUNDS.
 
2)      NO ASPIRIN OR VITAMIN E UNTIL YOUR SUTURES ARE REMOVED.
 
3)      YOU MAY SHOWER & WASH YOUR HAIR 48 HOURS AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE: DO NOT USE SOAP ON THE INCISION LINES.
 
4)      CONTACT LENSES: YOU CAN WEAR THEM 1-WEEK AFTER YOUR EYE PROCEDURE, OR AS INSTRUCTED BY DR SIMONI..