Post Operative Tips

Your specific instructions will vary depending on the surgery performed. However, there are some general post-operative care instructions to keep in mind.

You should avoid activates that could hinder the healing process, such as smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.

You should not take any drugs containing aspirin, as they will increase bruising and may even cause internal bleeding.

During the recuperation period, if you still have swelling do not consume the list of item Nutritional or herbal supplements below.

Reasons : 

• Will prolong the period of swelling
• Sometimes the inflammation may flare up

Nutritional or herbal supplements:

Alpha-lipoic acid, Echinacea, Gingko biloba, L-carnosine, Omega-3, Acetyl- l- carnitine, Ephedra, Ginseng, Licorice, Resveratrol,Cinnamon, Camomile, Fish Oil, Garlic, Glucosamine-glutamine, Chondroitin, Kava kava, Milk thistle, Skullcap, St. John’s wort, Creatine, Ginger, Goldenseal, Multivitamins, Vitamin C & E, Evening Primrose Oil, Royal Jelly.

We also suggest that you take at least a week away from your daily routine as well as any strenuous activities, allowing yourself time to rest and recuperate.

Many patients become depressed during the transition period following surgery, as their bruises and scars have not yet healed. However, it is important that you stay positive during this time. You may consider seeking advice from our beauty therapist or hair stylist on how to enhance your new appearance with makeup or a new hairstyle. This is a good way to boost your confidence.

You will be schedule for a follow-up appointment.

However, if between surgery and the follow-up you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important for you to contact us immediately:

•           Excessive pain or bleeding

•           Fever

We are dedicated to doing all we can to make your surgical experience with us as comfortable as possible. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your post-operative care.

Ice Pack

Apply Ice Pack to the area to decrease pain and swelling.  After 48-72 hours, you may continue it, but it is those first 48 hours where it has the greatest effect.  If you had facial surgery, you may find that ice is too cold, wrap the ice pack with a handkerchief work better.

Pain Management

The first night and day after surgery will be your most uncomfortable. The pain will then stabilize over the next 24-48 hours and then decrease day by day.

Most people will not need prescription pain relievers by the end of the first week. Some people only take a few doses and then use Tylenol®. Listen to your body and take your medication, as you need it. You will heal faster if you are not tense and tired from pain. Pain is also your body’s way of asking you to slow down. Plan to rest the first week after surgery.

You will be offered a prescription pain reliever for use after surgery. Usually (Tylenol®) will be given. To avoid nausea, take the pills with food in your stomach.

Constipation can be a side effect; double your fiber and fluid intake while taking these pills. A stool softener may be helpful for some patients.

Elevation

It is important for you to get up, move around the house, and take some deep breaths 4-6 times a day.

Plan to sleep on your back with your head elevated, if possible.

Sleeping on your side will cause swelling on the side you are laying on.

Making yourself a nest with pillows can be very helpful.

Some people experience a slight sore throat or mild cough for 2-3 days after surgery.

This is a side effect of anesthesia and should resolve in 48-72 hours.

Dressings

Dressings customarily come off in 24 – 48 hours. Do not be surprised to have a small amount of bloody drainage soaking through to the outer surface of the dressing.  You may add gauze on top of the dressing to cover the spot.

Incision Care

The incision may ooze for 2-5 days after the operation. Dry gauze to cover the incision and protect your clothes and furniture is appropriate. 

Antibiotic ointment is not necessary, but can be used to help with itching if desired.

Apply only a very thin film 2-3 times per day as per instruct.

Scar Care

3^rd week after surgery, the scar is growing and getting stronger. This is good and important healing.

After this, our goal is to have a pale, flat, narrow scar. We believe that rubbing and scar massage is more important than what you rub on the scar. 

Products like Scar Gel and Silicone sheeting can also be used. Please contact us before you apply any scar gel on the recovery area.

Lotions that smell good usually have a perfume dissolved in alcohol in them and can irritate or dry our scars and should be avoided.

When will I feel good again?

Anesthesia, pain, pain medications, changes in diet, and the physical reaction to surgery all put a stress on the body. 

This may affect your energy and your mood. This lasts a week or so for smaller operations and 6-8 weeks for bigger and combination operations.

When can I go back to work?

This frequently depends on the physical demands of your job and the specific operation you have. 

If you are having general anesthesia and a major operation, either cosmetic or elective, you will likely be off work a minimum of one week and as long as 3 to 6 if your job demands lifting or straining.