Dermabrasion and Lasers After Care Instructions

General Post-Operative Instructions

It is important to read the general postoperative instruction sheet also. These plastic surgery postoperative instructions or cosmetic surgery postoperative instructions are meant to be as thorough and complete as possible. However please don’t hesitate to call for any questions or concerns!

1.) Call for any problems, concerns, or issues.

2.) Call for fevers over 101.5°, excessive bleeding, or excessive pain.

Diet:

Slowly advance diet as tolerated. Begin with liquids and light foods before progressing to a normal diet. Advancing too quickly can lead to nausea and vomiting. It is also good to have food in your stomach as this often helps with minimizing nausea with medications.

Medications:

You have been given prescriptions by Dr. Saunders and they should be taken as described on the bottles. In general, the antibiotic is a mandatory medication, and the other medications are as needed. The as needed medications are usually taken for pain, nausea, anxiety, and muscle spasms. Please take them as described on the bottle. You can begin the antibiotic when you get home. If your stomach is upset it is okay to start this the next morning.

Bandages and dressings:

It is normal to have some bloody drainage. This is typical after surgery. In general slightly wet bandages do not have to be changed and are best left alone. Dr. Saunders will address the appropriate care of the bandages on your postoperative visit. If you decide to change your bandage, please wash your hands thoroughly. Do not touch the incision or drain tube where it goes in the skin. Please use sterile gauze.

Activities:

Rest and relaxation are important after most operations. Dr. Saunders likes the mottos “slow and steady wins the race” and “the turtle wins the race.” Too much activity after surgery can be inappropriate. Shopping, cooking, laundry, and cleaning should be avoided until Dr. Saunders approves these activities. Most patients should rest on the couch or in bed. It is okay and good to get up and walk around your home or apartment. This is called early ambulation and minimizes risks of blood clots.

Restrictions:

Please no heating pads, electric blankets, or hot water bottles to any surgical site. Refrain from sexual activity until further notice.

Follow up care:

Dr. Saunders sees most patients the day after surgery for a postoperative visit. Liposuction and rhinoplasty patients might be seen the Monday after surgery instead of the next day. Patients, however, are always allowed to come in for a visit if desired. If Dr. Saunders is operating the day after surgery you will be instructed to call or text his cell phone. He or the nurses will answer the phone and set up a visit time. Plastic surgery is an art and exactly predicting a visit is not possible. By calling or texting back and forth we strive to minimize any wait in the office for a postoperative visit.

Dr Saunders’ Cell Number 302-584-8407 (texting preferred!!)

Postoperative instructions: Facial Resurfacing – Dermabrasion + Lasers

“Simple Yet Strict”

Recovering from facial surgery can be surprisingly easy. Follow the simple instructions provided by Dr. Saunders. Yet these instructions are strict. They should be followed closely. These instructions are based on decades of experience. Please follow the instructions carefully and maximize your chance of healing uneventfully! No smoking, nicotine patches or nicotine gum until further notice! This is extremely important!

Head elevation:

It is very important to keep the head elevated at all times. This includes sleeping. This can be done in a lounge chair or in bed with multiple pillows. Please maintain at least a 45° angle. Head elevation is important to minimize bruising and swelling and to aid healing.

Icing:

Ice! Ice! Ice! Do a lot of icing. You cannot do too much. For the first 72 hours it’s best if the face can be constantly iced. Reusable ice packs or gel pads can help with this process. These are available at most drugstores.

Medications:

It is extremely important to take your antibiotic and antiviral medications. Please do not stop these until the prescription runs out. Typically there is not a lot of pain and hence pain medications are usually not necessary. Motrin and Tylenol tend to work best.

Cleansing:

Keeping the facial skin clean is one of the toughest parts after dermabrasion treatment or lasers. Some bleeding is also normal and to be expected. Clean the face 3 to 4 times a day with water and a washcloth. Do not use hot water- room temperature or cold water works best. Try to use the washcloth to wipe off any “weeping stuff” that has accumulated. After the cleansing, apply healing ointment. This can be Neosporin, Aquaphor or vitamin A+D ointment.

Itching:

This symptom is very common. Benadryl pills works well for itching. Benadryl cream or hydrocortisone 1% cream is also recommended. Dr. Saunders will tell you when to begin the hydrocortisone. This typically is when the skin has peeled off. It also helps with the resolution of redness.

Makeup:

Once the skin has healed, Makeup is recommended. It provides a barrier for the skin, which minimizes ultraviolet rays that can lead to hyperpigmentation. It also makes us look more attractive during the blotchy phase after a peel. The aesthetician, in the office, is an expert at this and can help with makeup and its use.

Dr. Saunders’ cell phone 302-584-8407 (texting preferred)