Facial Treatment Post-Op

Please read the recovery instructions carefully for the treatment that you had performed. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call with any questions or concerns. We can be reached at Highlands Ranch Office Phone Number 303-470-3400.

Facelift Recovery Instructions
Neck Lift Recovery Instructions
Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty) Recovery Instructions
Ear Pinning (Otoplasty) Recovery Instructions
Chin Augmentation Recovery
Lip Lift Recovery
Rhinoplasty Recovery Instructions
Brow Lift Recovery Instructions

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Facelift Recovery Instructions

Once your rhytidectomy is complete, you will usually be allowed to go home the same day. Keep the following tips in mind during your recovery period so that your surgery wound heals fast.

• Some bruising, swelling and pain are completely normal after the procedure. Ask your doctor for pain medications to help you deal with it more effectively.
• You may notice some numbness in the facial area – while this is normal initially, consult a doctor if it persists beyond a week or ten days.
• It is crucial that you completely stop smoking and using any tobacco products after the surgery, as these could heighten your chances of slow healing and infection.
• Carefully follow all the instructions given by your doctor with regard to changing bandages, applying medications and getting your sutures removed.
• Apply sunscreen every time you go out so as to protect your skin from sun exposure.
• You can resume work or school after around two weeks – however, avoid strenuous physical activity until at least a month after the surgery.
• It is critical to remember that the effects of rhytidectomy are not always permanent. Research illustrates that 21% of such surgeries relapsed five and a half years after the surgery – however, 76% of the patients still retained their youthful looks. Be aware of this before signing up for the procedure and keep your expectations at a realistic level. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and an appropriate exercise regime can help you maintain your post-rhytidectomy looks.

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Neck Lift Recovery Instructions

After a neck lift, you are usually allowed to go home the same day and start your recovery process. A thin tube may be positioned at the side of the wound to drain off excess fluid that may seep out. The following tips will help you keep you healthy and ensure a swift recovery.

• Some bruising and swelling are quite normal after the surgery, and your doctor may prescribe pain medication for you to combat it. Do not apply any ice packs as these could hinder blood flow to the skin.
• Keep your head at an elevated position at all times to reduce swelling and be extremely careful about how you sit or lie down.
• Some scarring may remain permanently after the neck lift, but it is well concealed within your hairline and will usually fade over time. You can ask your doctor for recommendations on suitable ointments and creams to apply to minimize the appearance of scars.
• The most critical thing to remember is that the results of a neck lift may not be permanent. You could again accumulate fat under your chin if you gain weight, and your skin will continue to age and may once again start looking saggy. In that case, you may wish to consider a second neck lift procedure. Carefully discuss the advisability of a second surgery with your doctor and if possible, consider non-surgical alternatives that can help you retain the new youthful appearance of your neck and jaw.

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Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty) Recovery Instructions

Once the blepharoplasty procedure is complete, you will be kept in a recovery room for a few hours where the medical team will monitor you for any possible complications. You will usually be allowed to return home the same day. Keep the following tips in mind to help you recover speedily after the surgery.

• Some bruising and swelling in your eyelid area is normal and may last up to two weeks. Your doctor may prescribe a pain medication to help you deal with the symptoms.
• You may experience some blurriness of vision and light sensitivity caused by the medication used during the surgery to numb your eye. This is normal for a few days; however, consult your doctor if the problem persists for a longer term.
• Your doctor may recommend that you apply ice packs or cool compresses to deal with the swelling.
• Do not wear contact lenses for at least two weeks after the surgery.
• Use prescribed ointments and cleansing solutions to wash your eyes and do not rub them under any circumstances.
• Avoid all strenuous activities, including heavy lifting, swimming, jogging or aerobics for at least a week.
• You should be able to resume work or school within two weeks after the surgery. Check with your doctor for when it is safe to do so.
• You should sleep with your head elevated above chest level for a few days.
• Visit your doctor on the appointed day to remove any stitches that have been left in after the procedure.
• Wear dark glasses whenever you go out to protect your delicate eyelids from the sun.
• Continue to avoid naproxen sodium, aspirin, and other over-the-counter medications for at least a week after the procedure. Use only the pain medications prescribed by your doctor.
• Immediately notify your doctor if you experience symptoms such as dizziness, tightness in the chest, severe eye pain or bleeding in the eye area.
• Keep in mind that the scars from the surgery may take several months to heal. You can conceal them by wearing dark glasses or consult your doctor for appropriate creams and ointments to apply on the scars.
• The results of the blepharoplasty are permanent and you will enjoy a younger, more alert look. However, you will always need to take extra care of your eyes and avoid direct sun exposure.

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Ear Pinning (Otoplasty) Recovery Instructions

After the Otoplasty the ears will be covered in bandages to provide support and protection and you will most likely experience some level of discomfort and itching.

You should:

• Take pain medication as recommended by the doctor
• Keep pressure off of the ears
• Avoid sleeping on your side
• Not rub the incisions
• Not place excessive force on the incisions
• Wear button down or loose-fitting shirts
• Avoid all contact sports or anything that could disturb the area healing

It also might be required that you take a few days off, no longer than 5 days. The doctor will remove the bandages a few days after the procedure and the area may be red and swollen. You want to ensure that you abide to the guidelines. Any deviation might agitate the site or cause further damage. This might also affect your healing. If there’s anything you need clarity on anything, let your surgeon know so that they can clear up these right away.

You should:

• Wear a loose headband that covers the ears at night for two to six weeks
• Ask your doctor when it is okay to resume activities such as bathing and strenuous physical activity

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Chin Augmentation Recovery

Chin augmentation patients have relatively little downtime and can usually return to work and most daily activities in 7 – 10 days. Discomfort is normally minimal and can be easily be controlled by using pain medication or a cold compress.

Patients may need to:

• Sleep face-up, with their head elevated for 1 – 2 weeks after surgery
• Consume a liquid-only diet for 1 – 2 days after surgery
• Avoid strenuous activities for 3 – 4 weeks after the surgery

Results can be seen within a month after surgery and final results will be visible within 3 months when the swelling has subsided.

The surgery is permanent and while aging will affect the facial appearance in other ways the contour of the chin will not change. However, trauma to the face could damage the implant and require another surgery.

Medication

• Your doctor will advise you if and when you can restart your medication, and provide instructions on taking new ones.
• If antibiotics are prescribed take them as directed until the course is complete.
• Take pain medication as directed, if none is prescribed, enquire as to whether you can take an over the counter drug.

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Lip Lift Recovery

While the lip lift is a simple, minimally invasive procedure, it is important for you to take necessary precautions so that the wound heals fast and there is no risk of infection or bleeding. The following tips will ensure a smooth recovery for you.

• Avoid consuming any food items that require high amounts of lip movement. It is preferable that you stick to soft food items cut into small pieces. Drink beverages through a straw.‘Moustache’ or ‘Bullhorn’ owing to its curved appearance.
• Do not smoke. Smoking, apart from multiple health risks, could slow down the healing process and prematurely age your skin. You should also stop smoking a few weeks before the operation so as to be fully ready for going under the knife.
• Avoid any strong facial expressions like smiling or laughing as they could aggravate the wound.
• You may experience a mild pulling sensation at your lip for around three days after surgery, as well as some swelling for about two weeks. This is normal.
• Ensure that the wound does not come into contact with water.
• Apply sunscreen whenever you go out.
• Take all pain medications as prescribed by the doctor for an easier recovery.
• Consult your doctor immediately if the sutures start bleeding or oozing pus.
• While the scar from the surgery typically fades away quickly and is hardly noticeable, you may wish to consider laser surgery if it has not faded away even after several weeks.

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Rhinoplasty Recovery Instructions

Most patients are able to go home the same day they undergo their Rhinoplasty surgery. In certain cases, if the patient is experiencing nausea or excessive bleeding from the nose, the clinic may keep the patient under observation for one night.

While you are likely to recover completely within a week, it is important to keep certain post-surgery tips in mind to take care of yourself and avoid infection and/or bleeding. Here are a few things that everyone should remember.

• The doctor will typically place splints inside the nose to support and protect it. This could lead to some congestion inside the nose, so it is necessary that the patient should remember to sleep with the head raised above the chest to avoid bleeding.
• The patient may experience some slight bleeding or mucus flow, which is normal. Hence, the doctor may tape a piece of gauze under the nose to capture this flow. Remember to change this gauze as per the doctor’s instructions. Do not fiddle with the gauze or tape it too tightly.
• Avoid any pressure on or movement of the nose as far as possible. Do not try to blow the nose, and avoid smiling or laughing too much as this will strain the nose. Do not pull clothes over your head — wear items that fasten or button in front.
• Avoid taking showers, as the dressing on the nose should not come into contact with water.
• Do not perch spectacles or sunglasses directly on the nose for at least a month after surgery — instead, tape the glasses to your forehead or use cheek rests.
• Remember that the swelling from the surgery may persist for several weeks, so the final shape of the nose after surgery will become evident only later. Consult the doctor if the swelling enhances or if you experience any pain/discharge/bleeding: Highlands Ranch Office Phone Number 303-470-3400.

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Brow Lift Recovery Instructions

It is important to take special care of yourself after a brow lift so that the wound heals as rapidly as possible. Keep the following tips in mind to ensure a speedy recovery after your brow lift.

• Some bruising or swelling on your face is normal and should subside within a week. Keep your head elevated when lying down and apply ice packs to ease the swelling.
• Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions on how to change your facial bandage.
• Your doctor will give you prescription painkillers to help with the post-surgery pain. It will reduce on its own after a few weeks.
• Avoid strenuous exercise or lifting heavy loads for a few weeks after the procedure.
• Avoid strong facial expressions like laughing or raising your eyebrows as these could affect your wound.
• Avoid smoking, as this slows down the healing process and could increase your risk of infection.
• Apply sunscreen every time you go out as sun exposure could age your skin as well.
• Consult your doctor about when you can resume activities like washing your hair or showering. You might need the help of a friend or family member to do it for you at first.
• You can expect to resume work or school after around ten days of rest.
• Consult your doctor immediately if your stitches are bleeding or oozing pus or if you have a fever in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit: Highlands Ranch Office Phone Number 303-470-3400.
• Your incision scars will fade away with time. Until then, you can consider using makeup to conceal the marks.
• Bear in mind that the results of a brow lift are not permanent. As you grow older, your brow may droop again and you may develop new wrinkles on your forehead. However, the brow lift does undoubtedly help you look more youthful no matter how old you are when you get it done.