After Facial Surgery

The following instructions apply to patients who have undergone face and necklift surgeries. Since no two patients are ever exactly alike in their surgical needs, type of surgery performed or rate of healing, we may elect to individualize the following guideline for each patient. In such instances, we will so instruct you. Otherwise, we urge to you follow the advice below very carefully, in order to accelerate you healing and maximize your surgical outcome.

Since you have just undergone a major surgical operation, use good common sense in the first 14 days after surgery in restricting your normal activities, exercise regimes and activity requiring heavy lifting or straining.

You may be up and around the day after surgery, but some natural fatigue may persist for 2-3 days due to the normal effects of the anesthesia and surgical procedure.

When you move, stand or change positions, do so deliberately and carefully for the first 7 days. In turning your head, move the head and shoulders deliberately as a single unit. You may eat a normal diet the day following surgery. In moderation, talking and smiling are perfectly acceptable.

Your head should be elevated on at least two pillows during sleep for the first 14 days, in order to keep your head higher then your heart to help facilitate the resolution of swelling. Do not sleep face down, rather on you back or side.

DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR ASPIRIN CONTAINING MEDICINES FOR 7 DAYS, and then only on advice from your personal physician. Other routinely taken medications may be taken as necessary.

Any unexplained development of pain, facial swelling, or fever should be reported to us immediately.

Some facial and neck swelling and bruising are normally present after facelifts and threadlifts, but the degree of each varies widely from patient to patient. Do not be concerned if you have more or less then others who have undergone the “same” operation. Generally, most patients appear quite sociably acceptable within 10-14 days after surgery.

You may gently cleanse the incision lines twice daily with 3% hydrogen peroxide and cotton ( or Q-tips). Apply the ointment sparingly twice daily to the incision line in order to avoid excessive crusting of the incisions and to accelerate the reduction of the incision redness.

You may gently shampoo your hair 24-48 hours after surgery, avoiding any strong rubbing or combing trauma to the incisions in the hair and around the ear.

Your earlobes and portions of the face that have been lifted and repositioned will be slightly numb for several weeks, sensation will return as healing progresses.

Please contact your oral surgeon’s office if you have any additional questions call our office at Bruce S. Kuhn M.D., D.D.S. Office Phone Number 402-330-8460.