Surgical Instructions > Facial Cosmetic Surgery

General Post-Operative Instructions

  1. Report to the office immediately:
    1. Any excessive pain
    2. Any rise in temperature over 100 degrees
    3. Excessive bleeding
    4. Any injury to your nose
  2. Take medication as directed.  No aspirin, aspirin-containing drugs or vitamin E for two weeks after surgery.
  3. Change gauze dressing beneath nose as needed to catch drainage.
  4. No alcoholic beverages for one week after surgery.
  5. Ice compresses on the eyes will reduce swelling and soothe the eyes.  Crushed ice may be placed in a small zip-lock bag, which can be obtained in most grocery stores.  Use for 24 hours after surgery.
  6. Avoid striking or bumping nose for 6 weeks after surgery. Sleep on back with head elevated on two pillows until all dressings are removed.
  7. Rest for the first week. No strenuous activities that may result in trauma to the nose for 6 weeks.
  8. You may shower and shampoo your hair providing all dressing are kept dry.  Wash face carefully with a mild soap.
  9. Contact lenses may be worn as soon as they are comfortable. Glasses may be worn over the nasal splint but after it is removed, glasses should not rest on the nose for six weeks. Place tape around bridge of the glasses and stick to forehead to avoid pressure on the nose.
  10. Eat a soft diet for one week. No hard chewing.
  11. If lips are dry after surgery, lubricate them with Vaseline.
  12. Nostrils may be cleaned around the outside only with applicators and hydrogen peroxide. Do not attempt to remove hardened crusts from within the nostrils.  Use a bland ointment to lubricate the nostrils.
  13. Nose will be stuffy for about three weeks.
  14. Avoid getting the nose sunburned for three months after surgery.
  15. No swimming for one month after surgery.
  16. Make arrangement for someone to bring you to the office the day after surgery.
  17. The office will be calling you the night after your surgery.

Home Care after Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

  1. Sleep on your back or side, with head elevated.
  2. Blepharoplasty usually causes little, if any, post-operative pain. If you notice significant sharp or dull pain, which persists, notify our office immediately.
  3. Cold compresses (ice cold wash cloths) may be used over your eyes for 20-30 minutes six times per day if you wish. Ordinarily, however, no compresses are necessary or of great value.
  4. The pain medications prescribed are safe and use as directed.
  5. You may use your eyes for reading or TV viewing as frequently as you wish.
  6. Use artificial tears, as needed, if your eyes are irritated or burn. Occasionally the eyes may not completely close. Eye drops and Lacrilube ointment should be used to keep the eyes moist until the lid completely closes.
  7. Do not use contact lenses for at least two weeks. Pulling on the eyelids while inserting or removing lenses may interfere with precise incision healing. Glasses may be used at any time.
  8. Do not use mascara, eyeliner, or eye shadow until approved by us (usually 5-7 days). Minimal make-up applied to any bruising of the lower lid is acceptable at any time, but do not pull on the lids or incisions.
  9. Any apparent redness of the whites of the eyeball is only a form of bruising, and will subside during the early healing process (1-3 weeks).
  10. Do not engage in vigorous exercise or sports for at least 2 weeks, or until approved by us.
  11. Stitches are removed at different times after surgery depending upon the extent of surgery carried out, type of stitches, and the type and quality of your skin. We will advise you accordingly.
  12. It is not abnormal to feel some itching, burning and tightness of the eyelids during the early healing period.
  13. Intense eye pain, bulging of the eye or loss of vision should be reported to your doctor immediately. Delay may result in loss of vision, which may be permanent.

We appreciate the confidence you have shown in us by allowing us to assist you in improving your appearance and health, and you may be assured of our best efforts to achieve the most satisfactory surgical result possible for your particular individual anatomy and condition.

Eyelid Surgery Supplies

1 bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
1 package of 4 x 4 gauze pads
1 package of Q-tips (20)
1 tube of Lacrilube ointment
1 bottle of Natural Tears

Please have these supplies available prior to your operation. You will need them in the immediate post-operative period.