Post Face and Eye Surgery Instruction

ICE:

It is very important to apply ice to your face for the first 3 days; 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:

On the 4th Post-Operative day, 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:

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:

If you go home with a 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 procedure 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

You may take shower 2 days after your surgery. You can wash you’re hair with baby shampoo.

INCISION CLEANING:

Clean your incisional 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 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:

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:

This 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 your surgeon or go to the nearest emergency room.

MEDICATIONS:

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.
Take medications with food to help decrease stomach upset.

GENERAL:

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 YOUR PHYSICIAN.