Facelift Surgery 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: Facelift Surgery

“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.

Chin up:

Please keep the chin up or elevated after facelift surgery. Because of the unique anatomy of the face and neck, the chin up position helps with healing. A chin down position (such as with reading) can lead to bandages cutting into the neck and can also interfere with healing and blood supply. This position is necessary for approximately 3 or four days or until Dr. Saunders says it can be discontinued.

Rest and relax: “Whisper”

The word “whisper” is trying to convey a concept. The face heals best in an atmosphere of calm and relaxation. Many activities can lead to elevation of the blood pressure in the head and increase bruising and swelling. This can delay healing. Any type of bearing down can lead to increased blood pressure in the head. Please avoid straining, lifting, loud speech, and of course yelling and screaming. Although not easy, please avoid coughing, sneezing, or nausea and vomiting. In general, try and rest and relax to promote healthy healing, minimize problems and to speed resolution of bruising and swelling.

Icing of face:

Dr. Saunders recommends icing of the face and neck area for approximately 72 hours or three days. Please use reusable ice packs or gel pads that can be purchased at most drugstores. Ice the area as much as you can. Continual icing is best if possible. Please do not use methods such as frozen peas or frozen steaks, as these are not hygienic.

Bandage:

Please do not change or disrupt the bandage. Expect some staining or spotting with blood.

Dr. Saunders cell phone number 302-584-8407