After Facial Procedures

Facelift

• Since you have just undergone a major surgical procedure, use good conmon sense. Use your best judgment and do not ignore signs from your body that you are overdoing it.
• Following surgery, there may be a large bulky dressing around your head. You may remove the dressing after 48 hours. (per Dr .Lee advice)
• Your head should be elevated on at least two (2) pillows during sleep for the first fourteen (14) days in order to keep your head higher than your heart to help reduce swelling. DO NOT Sleep face down, but rather on your back or side. Apply ice packs (frozen peas in a Ziploc bag) 20 minutes on then 20 minutes off for the first 48 hours to minimize swelling. After the first 48 hours, moist heat should be applied.
• You may be up and around the day following surgery; however some natural fatigue may persist for two (2) to three (3) days due to the normal effects of the anesthesia and surgical procedure.
• Avoid excessive exercise, straining, lifting or bending activities for at least one to two weeks. When you move, stand, or change positions, do so deliberately as a single unit.
• You may eat a normal diet the day following surgery. In moderation, talking and smiling are perfectly acceptable.
• You may gently shampoo your hair 48 hours after surgery, but do not use conditioners or gels. Baby shampoo is strongly recommended Avoid any strong rubbing or combing trauma to the incision in the hair or around the ear. Do not blow dry your hair for seven (7) days and postpone any permanent waves or hair coloring for three to four weeks following surgery.
• You may gently cleanse the incision lines daily with hydrogen peroxide and cotton or q-tips. Apply Vaseline ointment twice daily to the incision lines in order to avoid excessive crusting to the incision and to help reduce redness. Do not apply any other ointments or medications to any other areas unless prescribed.
• Some sutures will be removed around the fifth to seventh postoperative day.
• Your earlobes and portions of the face that have been lifted and repositioned will be slightly numb for several weeks; sensation will then return as healing progresses. Do not wear heavy or tight earrings for six weeks.
• Some facial swelling, neck swelling and bruising are normally present after facelifts, but the degree of each varies widely from patient to patient. Do not be concerned if you have more or less than others who have undergone the same operation.
• It is acceptable to do some light walking 72 hours after surgery. Jogging and light non-contact exercise should not be resumed for three (3) weeks, and strenuous sports require six (6) weeks of healing before safely resumed.
• Do not take aspirin or medication containing aspirin for two (2) weeks following surgery and then only on the advice of Dr. Lee. Other routinely used medications may be taken as necessary.
• Excessive exposure to sun light (including tanning beds) in the first three (3) weeks after surgery may result in prolonged facial swelling and injury to the skin and should be avoided. Thereafter, you should always protect your skin with a strong sunscreen in order to decrease the inevitable aging effects of the sun on your skin. At Cumberland Surgical Arts, we offer a superb sunscreen product along with a full line of maintenance skincare products.
• Any unexplained development of pain, swelling or fever should be reported to us immediately
• Remember to start taking all necessary medications (narcotic pain medication, antibiotics etc.) as instructed by Dr. Lee.
• It is very important to your well being that you follow completely all instructions given to you by Dr. Lee and his surgical staff and that we check your progress regularly following surgery.

Endoscopic Brow lift

• The head dressing, if used, may be removed at 48 hours (per Dr. Lee advice)
• Your head should be elevated on at least two (2) pillows during sleep for the first fourteen (14) days in order to keep your head higher than your heart to help reduce swelling. Do NOT Sleep face down, but rather on your back or side. Apply ice packs (frozen peas in a Ziploc bag) 20 minutes on then 20 minutes off for the first 48 hours to minimize swelling. After the first 48 hours, moist heat should be applied.
• Forehead swelling may prevent the upper eyelids from closing completely for several days. Saline eye drops such as Artificial Tears can be used for dryness as often as needed. Avoid ceiling fans or any direct air that could encourage dryness of the eyes.
• Numbness and tingling sensations in the forehead may last for several weeks. You may also experience some tenderness in this region.
• As the small nerves grow back, bizarre symptoms of itching are often experienced. These will eventually disappear.
•  You may gently shampoo your hair 48 hours after surgery, but do not use conditioners or gels. Baby shampoo is strongly recommended Avoid any strong rubbing or combing trauma to the incision in the hair or around the ear. Do not blow dry your hair for seven (7) days and postpone any permanent waves or hair coloring for three to four weeks following surgery.
• Remember to start taking all necessary medications (narcotic pain medications, antibiotics etc.) as instructed by Dr. Lee

Blephroplasty

• No dressings are applied to the eyes following surgery. It is important to continuously keep cold compresses on your eyes. A bag of frozen peas works best. Continue cold compresses over the eyelids for two (2) days, then switch to warm, moist heat.
• Apply Vaseline to incision lines to keep the wounds clean of crusting.
• Sleep with your head elevated for one (1) week.
• Apply sterile saline drops, such as Artificial Tears, to your eyes if they feel dry or irritated.
• Occasionally, small areas of swelling or reddish bumps are seen on or around incision lines; these disappear as healing progresses.
•  Swelling, bruising, and redness of varying degrees may occur. They last for approximately two (2) weeks.
• Sutures will be removed in approximately two (2) weeks.
• Avoid bending over or lifting heavy objects, for one (1) week. No strenuous exercise for at least four (4) weeks.
• Do not apply any makeup to the eye for the first ten (10) days following surgery.
• Do not wear contact lenses for ten (10) days. Wear glasses, if necessary, being sure they do not pull on the incision line.
• Do not pluck eyebrows for two (2) weeks following surgery.
• Report any eye pain or change in your vision to the office.
• Remember to start taking all necessary medication (narcotic pain medication, antibiotics, etc.) as instructed by Dr. Lee

Laser Skin Resurfacing

• Do not pick or rub to remove dead skin or scabs, as this may increase the risk of scarring. Any scabs should be gently soaked off.
• Do not apply Neosporin or any other ointment, including Vitamin E, to the face. This could increase the risk of infection.
• Do not expose the skin directly to the sun for 2-3 months. It is very important to keep the area protected from the sun for the next several months to avoid change in skin pigmentation and to minimize redness. For 3-4 weeks after surgery, a sun block containing zinc oxide should be applied.
• If the skin around the mouth is tight, you may use a straw for drinking.
• Avoid strenuous exercise for two (2) weeks to avoid irritating the skin.
• Avoid drafts, fans, or air conditioners, as air blowing on treated areas may cause stinging and dryness.
• Mild to moderate redness is expected for 1-2 months and will fade gradually over 3-4 months.
• Oozing of fluid from the treated sites may occur for 3-7 days.
• Mild to moderate swelling is normal and may last for 3-7 days. Swelling and/or blistering may be the most severe for 3-4 days after the procedure.
• Pulling, drawing, and itching of the skin will decrease as healing occurs.
• You may appear to “break out” approximately three (3) weeks after surgery with pimple like raised areas. This is normal and is simply caused by clogged pores. Please notify the office for further instructions if this occurs.

Rhinoplasty

• Keep your head elevated on at least two (2) pillows to help minimize swelling.
• Apply ice bags (frozen peas work best) on the eyes during the first 48 hours. Do not get the splint wet or put pressure on it.
• Slight bloody drainage is normal. It is okay to remove and change the small drip pad under the nose as often as needed. Always keep your nasal dressing dry.
• Do not rub or blot your nose with Kleenex or a handkerchief.
• Do not sniff or blow your nose. Try not to sneeze, but if you do, sneeze through your mouth for the first two (2) weeks after surgery.
• Take the pain medication every 4-6 hours if needed. If you have no pain, do not take the pain medication.
• The tip of the nose sometimes feels numb after surgery, but this feeling will gradually disappear. Occasionally, the front teeth will feel “funny”, but this will also disappear.
• A liquid diet is best directly after surgery. Begin by taking liquids slowly and progress to soups or gelatin. You may start a regular diet the next day. Avoid foods that require excessive lip movement, like apples, or corn on the cob, for at least two (2) weeks.
• While the splint is on, you can have the hair washed “beauty salon fashion.” Do not get the splint wet.
• You may clean the edges of your nostrils with a Q-tip dipped in hydrogen peroxide to remove crust. Do not advance the Q-tip into the nose.
• Do not engage in any strenuous activity (bending, heavy lifting, etc.) for at least two (2) weeks after surgery.
• Do not do anything that could result in a blow to your nose for (8) weeks after surgery.
• After the splint is removed, do not allow anything to rest on your nose for (8) weeks. Glasses should be taped on the forehead if needed.
• Protect your nose from excess exposure to the sun for (8) weeks after surgery.
• Notify us if any excess pain, drainage or redness from the incision site, temperature above 101.6 degrees, and an injury to your nose occurs.

Facial Implants

• A head garment may be applied following surgery. Dr. Lee and his surgical staff will give you further instructions on the use of this garment. If applied wear the garment as much as possible until your first postoperative appointment.
• Please keep the surgical area dry if a dressing is applied.
• A softer diet requiring gentle chewing is allowed.
• Cold compresses may be applied 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off for the first 48 hours. After 48 hours, change to moist heat.
• Further instructions will be given at your first postoperative appointment.