Patient Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

Medical History
It is important to be totally honest with the doctor regarding your medical history. This includes any medications that you are currently taking. This may effect both your personnel outcome as well as your result.

Aspirin/NSAIDS
Discontinue aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication or any products containing these medicines at least three weeks prior to surgery and two weeks after surgery. These medicines interfere with your body's blood clotting mechanism and can make surgery more difficult and less effective. Attached is a list of aspirin products and nonsteroidal medication.

Vitamin Usage
Discontinue taking vitamin E, Ginkgo biloba, Bilberry, Cayenne, Echinacea, Feverfew, Fish oil caps, Garlic, Ginger, Ginseng, Kava Kava & Valerian, Licorice Root, Ma Huang (ephedra), Melatonin, St. John's Wort, Yohimbe. These medicines can have an adverse effect on the surgery and healing process.

Herbal Suggestions
Many doctors today are recommending Arnica Montana. It is considered a safe and natural homeopathic remedy and can be purchased at most herb shops. Arnica is known to be beneficial in reducing swelling and bruising.

Cold Sores/Herpes Virus
If you will be undergoing any type of facial peel, dermabrasion, or laser resurfacing, it is critical that you tell the doctor if you have a history of cold sores, shingles or herpes infection. We routinely prescribe an oral antiviral medication to try to prevent a painful outbreak that may reduce the effectiveness of the surgical procedure.

Skin Care Conditions/Regimens
Indicate to the physician if you are currently taking any acne medication, have a history of taking accutane or have any connective tissue disease. It is also important to let the doctor know about previous skin peels either done at home or in a medical setting (glycolic, lactic acid, or trichloroacetic acid). Finally, please discuss any skin care products that you are currently using (Retin-A, glycolic acids, topical vitamin C) in order that we may completely coordinate your facial care.

Yeast Infections
Generally, you are given antibiotics to stave off any infections as a result of surgery. If you are prone to yeast infections, you may want to take full-spectrum acidophilus ("good bacteria") supplements that can be found in any health food store. We may also need to prescribe a prophylactic anti-yeast medication.

Smoking
If you smoke, you must quit a minimum of two weeks pre and postoperatively. Smoking can affect the healing process.

Alcohol
Alcohol consumption should be minimized for two weeks pre and postoperatively. It is important that you tell the doctor and anesthesiologist if you have consumed any alcohol within this time period so that your anesthesia medications can be adjusted appropriately.

Menstruation
If you routinely take ibuprofen to control cramps, you will be asked to take a Tylenol or a prescription analgesic instead. Depending on the severity of your menstrual cramping, scheduling your surgery accordingly could greatly increase your comfort during recovery

Nutrition

Diet
If you don't already eat in a healthy way, it would be a good idea to start now. This will help ensure proper healing and tissue repair. A diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates will improve your energy level both preoperatively/postoperatively.

Avoidance of Sodium and other Substances
Try to avoid spicy foods and products high in sodium. This is recommended to prevent swelling/fluid retention (edema) for at least a week to ten days prior to surgery.

Meal Preparations
You may want to prepare some meals ahead of time and freeze them. For at least the first few days you will not feel like cooking. If you have had facial procedures, make sure the food is easy to chew and not too crunchy. You need to avoid excess facial movements for the first few days of your recovery.

Hair Care

Hair Care Prior To Surgery
If you wish to color your hair or have a permanent, do so a minimum of ten days prior to surgery if you procedure involves sutures in your scalp area. It will be four to six weeks after surgery before you can color your hair or have a permanent. These are just guidelines; a weave or a highlight that does not touch the scalp may be done sooner. You can always check with the doctor or our esthetician.

Items to get on hand before the day of surgery

Medications
Fill all of your prescriptions in advance. You may not need your pain medication, but if you do, you do not want to wait while someone goes to the pharmacy for you.

Night-Light
Get a night-light for when you get up in the middle of the night so you won't trip and fall.

Dressing Supplies
For almost all procedures you will need a package of sterile q-tips, a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and clean salt water (either bottle saline or boiled salt water). If you will have a wrap dressing (face lift, brow lift, liposuction and/or otoplasty, please purchase a 4-inch ace bandage for home use.

Caregiver Comfort and Instructions

You have to have someone stay with you for at least the night after surgery. If you can borrow a baby monitor for the first forty-eight hours, it will allow your caregiver to not have to stay in the same room with you the entire time. Write down all instructions, including medications you are supposed to take and when to make it easier on your friend or spouse. Place the surgeon's name and telephone number in a conspicuous place to make it easy to call if a question arises.

Day of Surgery

Caregiver
You will need someone to drive you home from surgery and be with you for at least the first night.

Food and Beverage
In general you should plan on not eating or drinking after midnight on the day of surgery. There are rare exceptions and your physician will point out if you qualify for one.

Medications
You may take your morning prescription medicines with a sip of water. If any of your medicines are related to diabetes, please check with the doctor regarding the correct dosage.

Anesthesia
Be sure to tell the doctor and the anesthesiologist if you are prone to nausea or allergic to any medication.

Head Elevation
You may be instructed to keep your head and upper body elevated, put pillowcases on at least four extra pillows - two to prop up your head and one to place on each side of you so that you cannot turn on your side while you are sleeping.

Post-Operative

Wound Care

Incision Lines
Incision lines should be cleaned with a mixture of clean salt water and hydrogen peroxide. The salt water can be purchased at the drug store as 0.9% NaCl saline, or you can boil salt water for five minutes and place in a clean container. Apply a fine coat of antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin) after cleaning the incision.

Face-Washing Techniques
After facial procedure, you may cleanse your face as usual. However, you must avoid scrubbing. Moisturize the surrounding skin as usual, avoiding the incision line. Do not use astringents or toners on healing areas. Apply a fine coat of antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin) after cleaning your wounds.

Face-Washing Techniques for Laser Areas
Before having facial surgery, consider getting together with our esthetician and find out how to get your skin in the best possible condition. This is especially important before laser surgery. She will advise you on caring for your skin before and after laser surgery. It is crucial that you are very meticulous and dedicated to removing the crusting which results from the healing process after the laser. This can be done with saline/peroxide mixture or with mild soap and water. Apply ointment after each cleaning. At first you will likely need at least five cleanings a day. We also carry a make-up line that is safe for laser patients and offer a complimentary enhancement make over after your procedure.

Dressings for Face-Lift, Brow Lift, Facial Implants, Otoplasty
For some facial procedures, a wrap will probably be applied. Please plan on wearing the wrap for at least three days after surgery unless directed by your physician to remove it earlier.

Cold Compresses
If the doctor indicates that you are to use cold compresses, consider buying four to six packages of frozen peas and put each bag in a plastic bag so they wont accidentally open. Rotate them so they won't loose their chill. This is very important the first 48 hours after surgery. Try a pattern of 15 minutes "on" - 15 minutes "off."

Cotton Gloves
If you are prone to scratching yourself while sleeping, purchase cotton gloves to wear at night. Most drug stores have them.

Environment

Sleep/Rest
On the day of surgery you should expect to sleep the first day. On the first day after surgery, you will likely have a postoperative visit, and that is all you should plan to do that day. Each day your energy level and ability to do more will increase. Be patient and listen to your body. When resting, try to keep your head level above your heart to help decrease swelling.

Activity
Avoid too much facial movement the first week, such as laughing, heavy chewing, and turning your head. Do not bend over; bend your knees and squat down if you must. Keep your head level. Do not pick up anything heavier than a small telephone book. Do not do anything that will raise your blood pressure

Childcare
Young children will not understand that they cannot jump in your lap or be lifted up after surgery. Make sure that you have some assistance.

Pet Interaction and Care
Do not lift your pets or bend over to feed them. After petting your pets be sure to wash your hands well before touching your incisions.

COMFORT MEASURES

Sunglasses and Contact Lenses
If you are having eyelid surgery, your eyes may be light sensitive and feel strained. Sunglasses will help when you are outside. The doctor will advise you not to wear contact lenses for about ten days as the insertion and removal can be quite difficult postoperatively. Also, if you have rhinoplasty surgery, do not wear glasses without checking with the doctor.

Tylenol PM
You may want to have this on hand for two reasons. After surgery, instead of sleeping pills, this medication may provide a restful sleep without putting you into a deep, drugged sleep. Also, these products contain a substance similar to Benadryl, which can alleviate any itching as you heal.

Nutrition

Fluid Consumption
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Do not consume alcohol or caffeine.

Food
Remember to try to eat soft foods to minimize chewing during the first week.

Hair Care

Hair Care Techniques after Facial Surgery
Follow safe hair-washing techniques once the doctor has given you permission to wash your hair after facial/neck procedures.

• Rinse hair with medium-temperature water for about five minutes prior to washing your hair. This will soften any remaining dried blood. Shampoo delicately with a gentle shampoo. Rinse well. Avoid rubbing suture lines. Make sure the water is not too hot.
• Apply conditioner (color and fragrance free) mainly on hair ends for detangling purposes. Do not apply on or near staples/sutures.
• Gently towel dry hair as much as possible. Then clean both staple and suture lines with hydrogen peroxide and water equal amounts.
• You will not feel like doing your normal styling routine. Avoid excessive tension. It may compromise wound healing.
• Your hair may feel a bit drier than usual after surgery. A deep conditioning treatment can improve the dryness, but you should wait two weeks before doing this.
• Avoid excessive heat on and around the healing areas (hot water from the shower, blow dryers, and curling irons). Blow dryers should be held at least twelve inches from the hair to avoid heating staples.
• Avoid any products with color or fragrance for at least two weeks following surgery (including hair spray).

Beauty Salons after Surgery
If you visit the salon within six weeks after surgery, avoid the hooded hair dryer after any procedure to the face/head, including and especially laser resurfacing.

These tips have been provided to make your planning and recovery as comfortable as possible. Many of these tips have come directly from our patients. Let us know if you have a tip we can share to help someone else. Also feel free to call us at any time.

Products Containing Aspirin and Ibuprofen: