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Pre-
and Post-Operative Instructions General Pre-Op Instructions 1. PRECAUTIONS The above medications can affect the clotting function of your blood and cause excessive bleeding. If you have any questions about other medications, please call your family doctor or our office for information. 2. TYLENOL IS SAFE. 3. SMOKING: We want your surgical experience and recovery to be smooth and uneventful. One of the ways we have found to promote your recovery is to be certain that you avoid smoking for 2 full weeks before and after your surgery. Healing is jeopardized if you continue to smoke before and after your procedure. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels and the blood flow to the area of your surgery is decreased. This deprives the healing tissues of essential oxygen and nutrients. If normal healing is to occur, patients MUST NOT SMOKE at the time of their surgical procedure. We therefore insist that smoking be terminated at least 2 full weeks before your surgery. 4. Please arrange transportation home after surgery. You will need a companion at home the first night. Local hotels are available at a reasonable cost if you do not live in the New York area. 5. We ask that you remain in the New York area at least overnight if your residence is more than one hour. 6. You will be given an appointment approximately two weeks prior to your surgery date to answer any further questions you may have, sign your consent form, have preoperative photos taken, obtain necessary prescriptions and further written preoperative instructions. Fees, if any, are payable at this time also.
1. Use the medication prescribed for discomfort as needed. DO NOT TAKE ANY ASPIRIN OR ASPIRIN-RELATED PRODUCTS. Extra-Strength Tylenol is recommended as an effective alternative. 2. To help minimize swelling: 3. Apply Bacitracin Ointment (provided by our office) to the suture areas 4 times a day until the sutures are removed. 4. You may shower the next day unless instructed otherwise. Gently pat dry and reapply ointment after bathing. 5. Please call if you are experiencing significant discomfort or notice any visual symptoms. 6. Avoiding bending or lifting heavy objects for 7-10 days. You can gradually resume your normal level of aerobic activity after the second week. Light walking is acceptable after the first few days. 7. Avoid sunning the face for 1 month after surgery and wear sunscreen (protection 15) for 6 months. This helps reduce scar formation. 8. Make-up may be worn after sutures are removed. If you have received an anesthetic, please observe the following for the next 24 hours: DO NOT: Go home and rest. You may feel sleepy and somewhat sluggish for several hours. You may have a sore throat for a few hours. You may also have some general muscular soreness for a day or two. Be patient during the healing process. Time, patience, and careful attention to instructions are key factors in the healing process.
Surgical Site/Skin Care Take the antibiotic and pain medications as prescribed. Swelling and discoloration is expected during the first two weeks after surgery. Sleep with your back elevated in order to minimize swelling. You may be given a silicone gel pad for cold compressing the eye area. Gel pads can be kept cool in the refrigerator but do not place in the freezer. The silicone material makes the gel pads fragile so handle gently. Frozen peas or crushed ice in a ziplock bag may be used in place of the gel pads. Never apply ice directly to surgical site. · Apply ophthalmic Bacitracin Ointment
to incisions 4 times a day until sutures are removed. Follow-Up Appointments · Removal of sutures in 4-7 days If at any time you have any questions or problems, please call us at 212-262-0056.
Chin Augmentation Post-Operative Instructions 1. Following surgery you will have a dressing made of tape on your chin. You will return in 4 - 5 days for removal. 2. Swelling and discoloration are expected for one to two weeks. You may also experience numbness along your lips lasting a few days to a couple of weeks. 3. Restrict activities. **No contact activities (e.g. football, horseplay, etc for 8 weeks. Be Careful. You may return to normal aerobic activities slowly after the second week. 4. To help minimize swelling, you may use ice to the chin area for the first 24 hours. Sleep with head elevated, at least on 2 pillows for 1 - 2 weeks. Restricting salt in your diet will help also. Drink at least 8 glasses to water or juice a day. 5. You will need to eat a soft diet at first, foods which minimize the need for chewing. You may advance your diet as tolerated. 6. You may take a bath or shower and gently wash your face and hair on the first day following surgery, gently blotting dry the dressing after. 7. Do not take aspirin or aspirin-containing products for two weeks after surgery. 8. The results of the chin augmentation are not immediate. You will experience various degrees of swelling and discoloration in the first several weeks. Time, patience, and careful attention to instructions are key factors in the healing process. If at any time you have questions or problems, please call us at 212-262-0056. If at any time you have any questions or problems, please call us at 212-262-0056. Before Surgery 1. PRECAUTIONS: For Two Weeks Prior to Surgery: The above medications can affect the clotting function of your blood and cause excessive bleeding. If you have any questions about other medications, please call your family doctor or our office for information. 2. TYLENOL IS SAFE. 3. SMOKING: We want your surgical experience and recovery to be smooth and uneventful. One of the ways we have found to promote your recovery is to be certain that you avoid smoking for 2 full weeks before and after your surgery. Healing is jeopardized if you continue to smoke before and after your procedure. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels and the blood flow to the area of your surgery is decreased. This deprives the healing tissues of essential oxygen and nutrients. If normal healing is to occur, patients MUST NOT SMOKE at the time of their surgical procedure. We therefore insist that smoking be terminated at least 2 full weeks before your surgery. 4. Please arrange transportation home after surgery. You will need a companion at home the first night. Local hotels are available at a reasonable cost if you do not live in the Seattle area. If you do not have someone to stay with you we can give you the name of a company which provides this service at a hotel or in your home. 5. You will be given an appointment approximately two weeks prior to your surgery date to answer any further questions you may have, sign your consent form, have preoperative photos taken, obtain necessary prescriptions and further written preoperative instructions. Fees, if any, are payable at this time also.
Chemical Peel and Dermabrasion Post Operative Instructions 1. Later today, you can expect stinging pain and swelling. The pain generally lasts 4-6 hours; it can be relieved by taking your pain pills. Cool moist gauze may help. 2. Try not to move the treated area excessively. If the mouth area is involved, it may be easier to drink through a straw. 3. Within 24-36 hours some small blisters may form and rupture, exuding fluid; this is common and should cause no concern. 4. Beginning the first day after surgery, rinse your face six times a day with lukewarm water. This is done most easily in a slow-running shower, or with a small hand sprayer. Pat the skin dry and apply Bacitracin ointment to the peeled areas after each shower. Continue this rinsing for about 1 week or as long as there is crusting remaining on the face. 5. Some crusts may form during the first few days after a peel. These will loosen and come off with gentle washing. Never pick the crusts off or you may damage new skin forming underneath. A varying amount of temporary swelling occurs during this period; try not to become anxious--it will pass. 6. After the first week, you will have a delicate new skin which must toughen. During the next week: A. Wash face with mild soap such as Neutrogena or Basis once or twice daily; use your hands or cotton balls, not a washcloth. B. Keep face moist with cold cream or moisturizing cream. 7. By 7-10 days after peeling, you should be able to use water-based makeup lightly over the area; it can be gently removed with cold cream and cotton balls. 8. The intense red color will fade rapidly, but pink coloration will remain for 6-8 weeks. A few very small whiteheads may appear in the treated areas. These usually disappear in 2-3 weeks without specific treatment. 9. Prolonged exposure to the sun may cause discoloration and should be avoided for 6 months. A sunscreen, factor 15 or greater, should be used when in the sun. If at any time you have any questions or problems, please call us at 212-262-0056. Face Lift Post-Operative Instructions Surgical Site and Skin Care Activity (In addition to General Instructions)
Follow - Up Appointments If at any time you have any questions or problems, please call us at 212-262-0056.
Forehead Lift Post-Operative Instructions 1. Severe pain or swelling, particularly if much greater on one side, could be a sign of a problem, call us if this occurs. 2. Restrict activities. Sleep with head elevated for 1-2 weeks on at least two pillows. Swelling will peak 3-4 days following surgery. Avoid bending or lifting heavy objects for 1 week. Avoid sunning the face for one month, for the next six months, use a sunscreen (factor 15 or greater). 3. You may take a bath or shower and gently wash your face and hair on the first day following surgery. Bacitracin ointment, which will be supplied, should be gently applied to all staples and screws (if used) four times a day, and after and bath or shower. 4. Do not take aspirin or aspirin-containing products for two weeks after surgery. Use your prescription pain medication as needed, but as some of your initial discomfort subsides try Extra-Strength Tylenol (acetaminophen) for control of your discomfort. Prescription pain medications can sometimes slow your rate of recovery due to their sedating side effects. 5. Post-operative visits: You may remove the dressing the day after surgery. Seven to ten days following surgery, sutures or staples will be removed. Make-up can be worn (except over the incisions) in 5-7 days. The results of the forehead lift are not immediate. You will experience various degrees of swelling and discoloration in the first several weeks. Also, varying degrees of forehead numbness can occur generally lasting a few weeks to a few months. Time, patience, and careful attention to instructions are key factors in the healing process. If at any time you have any questions or problems, please call us at 212-262-0056.
Submental Liposuction Post-Operative Instructions 1. Severe pain or swelling, particularly if much greater on one side, could be a sign of a problem, call us if this occurs. 2. You may have a gauze dressing under your chin and have a chin/face wrap in place. The chin/face wrap should be snug but nit too tight. You may change the gauze pad as necessary. The chin/face wrap should be worn for the first three days at all times. After three days, the wrap should be worn at night-time for an additional week. You may temporarily remove the wrap to shower after the first day. 3. You will experience bruising and swelling along the neck and upper chest, which will begin to decrease around the third or fourth day. Ice packs along the neck area will help minimize this and should assist in comfort. Use a zip lock bag with finely crushed ice or frozen baby peas, covered in a towel and use the ice on for twenty minutes and off for twenty minutes. Also, sleep with your head elevated on at least two pillows for the first week, minimize salt intake and drink at least 8 glasses of fluid per day to help decrease the swelling. 4. Apply Bacitracin Ointment to the sutures four (4) times per day. 5. Do not take aspirin or aspiring-containing products for two weeks after surgery. 6. Make-up can be worn (except over the incisions) in 5-7 days. If at any time you have any questions or problems, please call us at 212-262-0056. Rhinoplasty Post-Operative Instructions 1. Take the medications you have been prescribed according to instructions. If the cast on your nose falls off prior to your follow-up appointment, do not be concerned. 2. Use the medication prescribed for discomfort as needed. DO NOT TAKE ANY ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN PRODUCTS. Extra-strength Tylenol is recommended as an effective alternative if the pain is not severe enough to take the prescribed pain medications. 3. Keep your head slightly elevated on at least two pillows, even when sleeping Apply cold compresses to your eyes to reduce swelling and bruising for three days. Frozen peas in a ziplock bag are a good substitute for ice. Swelling will peak in 3 days after surgery. Your nose will feel stuffy because of the swelling inside. You may find a bedside humidifier helpful. 4. Change the gauze dressing beneath the nose as needed. There may be drainage for 1-2 days. Do not rub the nostrils. A small amount of blood-tinged drainage is normal. More vigorous bleeding is not. 5. You may cleanse the outside of the nostrils with 3% Peroxide on Q-tips. In case you have sutures at the base of your nose, cleanse them 3 times a day with Peroxide and apply Bacitracin to the area. You may also gently apply some ointment to the inside of your nostrils with a Q-tip. 6. In order to clean the inside of your nose, use Saline Nose Sprays (over the counter) 4 to 6 times per day. 7. You may shower and wash your hair the day after surgery. It is OK to get the tape or the cast on your nose wet. 8. A low salt diet is important. This will help reduce swelling. 9. To permit proper healing, activities which raise the blood pressure, such as jogging, swimming, or any aerobic activity, even bending and lifting should be restricted during the first two weeks. 10. Do not blow your nose for 10 days. If you have to sneeze, open your mouth so that air is expelled through your mouth. 11. Avoid sunning the face for 1 month after surgery and wear sunscreen (protection factor 15) for 6 months. 12. Post-operative follow-up appointments are needed for suture removal in 5-7 days and for splint removal in 7-10 days. If at any time you have any questions or problems, please call us at 212-262-0056.
Sinus Surgery Post-op Instructions 1. Take the antibiotic and pain medications as prescribed. 2. You will be discharged from the hospital with gauze dressing to catch any discharge form your nose. You may change the dressing as needed. The bloody nasal discharge usually continues for two days. If nasal discharge becomes significant, please contact the office. 3. Most patients experience nasal congestion for the first week following surgery. Nasal saline spray (over the counter) used 4 to 6 times per day can help. 4. It is not uncommon to have one or two bouts of vomiting following surgery. This is usually due to anesthetic effects and presence of blood in the stomach. 5. In order to minimize the risk of bleeding, do not blow your nose and open your mouth to sneeze for the first 2 weeks following surgery. 6. You will be given an appointment for a post-operative visit in 5 to 10 days following surgery. 7. You may want to invest in a water pick with a special nasal attachment as a more effective method of nasal irrigation. The water pick and the nasal attachment can be purchased at Boyd's Pharmacy - 212-838-6558. Saline (salt water) must be used for irrigation and not tap or sterile water. You can obtain ready made saline in 1-liter bottles (prescription will be provided) or you may make your own according to the following recipe. The Recipe · Carefully clean and rinse a 1-quart glass jar. Fill the clean jar with warm tap water or bottled water. You need not boil the water. Sensitive individuals may wish to use distilled water. · Add 2-3 heaping teaspoons of pure salt (without iodine, pure kosher salt etc.). · Add 2 rounded teaspoons of Arm & Hammer baking soda (pure sodium bicarbonate). · Stir or shake before each use. Store at room temperature. After a week, pour out any mixture that is left over and make a new solution. Never pour back unused solution or put the syringe into unused solution since this may contaminate it with bacteria. · If the mixture seems too strong (burning or stinging), try using less salt (1.5 - 2.0 teaspoons). For children, it is best to start with a weaker solution. Then you may gradually increase the concentration of salt over the next week or two, to the full strength (2-3 teaspoons). · For frequent use, mix a gallon of irrigating fluid at one time in the same proportions of salt and bicarbonate; keep refrigerated and warm in the microwave oven prior to use. · The temperature of the irrigating solution should be at or close to body temperature (98.6 degrees). It should not feel excessively cool or warm to the touch. · Alternatively, the saline solution may be purchased ready-made from the drug store (ENTsolTM Buffered Hypertonic Nasal Wash). This is sold either as a premixed solution or in dry powder packets. The packets are especially convenient when traveling. · The water pick should be adjusted to shoot up about 6 inches. The nasal tip attachment is held to the nostril with the head held upright. 250-cc of irrigation should be used per side. The resulting nasal discharge is usually blood tinged.
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