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Pre- and Post-Operative Instructions
The following information can give you more details on what to expect during the pre-operative and post-operative stages of some of our plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Ali Sepehr will discuss all aspects of procedures with you during your initial consultation. If you would like more information, please contact OC Facial Plastic Surgery.
Facelift / Neck Lift
Before a Facelift and/or Neck Lift:
- You will be given a list of medications to avoid for 1 week before and 1 week after your operation. The list notably includes any blood thinners such as Coumadin, aspirin, and all Ibuprofen-containing products.
- Please refrain from alcohol and—especially—tobacco-containing products for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after your operation. Tobacco will harm the final result.
- Please fill your prescriptions and pick up the medications prior to surgery so you have them at home for your convenience afterward.
- Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight before your operation.
After a Facelift and/or Neck Lift:
- Please keep your head elevated above the level of your heart as much as possible.
- Please keep your supportive facial garment on at all times, other than when applying ointment.
- Please apply double antibiotic ointment as many times as necessary to keep the incisions moist at all times.
- As needed, take either the prescription-strength pain medication or plain Tylenol, but never both together. Taking pain medication with food helps to minimize stomach upset. While taking the prescription pain medication, do not drive.
- Please take the other medications as prescribed.
- Gentle soap and running water over the incisions are fine, but do not submerge incisions underwater.
- Please eat soft foods to minimize chewing for two weeks.
- Please avoid strenuous activity (including bending, lifting, and straining) for 3 weeks and contact sports for 6 weeks after the operation.
- Please use sun protection.
*Careful adherence to instructions is necessary for optimal healing.
Rhinoplasty
Before Rhinoplasty:
- You will be given a list of medications to stop 1 week before, until 1 week after, your operation. Most importantly, this includes any products containing aspirin or Ibuprofen.
- You will be given a prescription for pain medication, and we ask that you pick it up prior to your surgery.
- Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your operation.
- Upon arrival at the surgery center, you will meet the operating room nurse and the anesthesiologist, who will ask questions to ensure the operation proceeds smoothly and safely from a medical standpoint.
After Rhinoplasty:
- You will need someone to drive you home.
- There will be a drip pad under your nose. We will teach you how to change this as necessary to address minor oozing after the operation.
- Please keep the incisions covered with antibiotic ointment at all times. You do not need to apply a lot all at once, but do not hesitate to apply it as often as necessary to always keep the incisions moist. You cannot apply the ointment too many times. Our research demonstrates that incisions that are kept moist heal about 28% faster and are less likely to get infected. Furthermore, this will keep the crusts coming off, not allowing them to push the edges of the incision apart.
- You will be seen the first, fourth, and eighth day after the operation for specific care on each of those days.
- Please eat soft foods for the first two weeks to minimize chewing and pulling on the incisions.
- Eyeglasses, which put pressure on the nose, should be avoided six weeks after surgery.
- You can resume your cardiovascular or aerobic exercise after 3 weeks, but contact sports or any activity that puts pressure on the nose should be avoided for 6 weeks.
Eyelid Surgery
Before Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty):
- You will be given a list of medications to stop 1 week before, until 1 week after, your blepharoplasty. The most important of these are any blood thinners including any product containing aspirin or Ibuprofen.
- Please refrain from any tobacco, as this will delay wound healing and can be a serious detriment to the final outcome.
- At the pre-operative planning appointment, you will be given prescriptions for antibiotics, pain medication, eyedrops, lubricating ointment, and anti-inflammatory medication. Please fill these prescriptions before the blepharoplasty to have the medications ready at home for use afterward.
- Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your operation.
- Upon arrival at the surgery center, you will meet the operating room nurse and the anesthesiologist, who will ask questions to ensure the operation proceeds smoothly and safely from a medical standpoint.
After Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty):
- For the first 4 days, please apply cold compresses to the eyes as much as possible to reduce swelling and bruising. You cannot overdo this, so if you are resting, applying continually is a good idea. But at minimum, we recommend 10-20 minutes every 1-2 hours.
- Also, to reduce swelling and bruising, please keep your head elevated above the level of your heart as much as possible for the first week.
- Please avoid strenuous exercise and bending over for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks you may resume your cardiovascular and aerobic activity. After 6 weeks you may resume contact sports.
- Most importantly, keep the eyes moist and hydrated with the prescribed drops and ointment.
- Avoid contact lenses for 3 weeks.
- Note: if the upper eyelid skin begins to rest on the upper eyelashes and obstruct vision, the surgery may be covered under insurance. This functional deficit may need to be documented.
Brow (Forehead Lift)
Before a Brow Lift:
- You will be given a list of medications to avoid starting from 1 week before, until 1 week after, the forehead lift. The most important of these to avoid are any blood thinners, including any product containing aspirin or Ibuprofen.
- Please refrain from any tobacco, as this will delay wound healing and can be a serious detriment to the final outcome.
- At the pre-operative planning appointment you will be given prescriptions for antibiotics, pain medication, and anti-inflammatory medication. Please fill these prescriptions before the brow lift to have the medications ready at home for use afterward.
- Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your brow lift.
After a Brow Lift:
- Please keep the dressings dry and intact the night after your procedure. Call Dr. Sepehr if your dressings become loose or fall off.
- It is easy to monitor the amount of liquid in the drain bulb. Please call Dr. Sepehr with any concerns.
- Please keep the incisions covered with antibiotic ointment at all times. You do not need to apply a lot at any one time, but do not hesitate to apply as many times as necessary to keep the incisions moist at all times. You cannot apply the ointment too many times. Our research demonstrates that incisions that are kept moist heal about 28% faster and are less likely to get infected. Furthermore, you will keep the crusts coming off and not allow them to push the edges of the incision apart.
- Start your antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications when you get home.
- Start with a liquid diet and advance to a soft diet and then your regular diet as tolerated.
As with all types of surgery, there are potential risks associated with the following: adverse anesthesia reactions, asymmetry, bleeding, infection, nerve injury, and the need for additional surgery.