Post Op Instructions -Beverly Hills Nasal and Facial Cosmetic Surgeon

Post Op Instructions

Questions on what to do AFTER surgery? Read more...

Secret: Complications can occur after “the last stitch.” To reduce that chance know your doctor’s philosophy on aftercare.

As important as what to do, say the surgeons, are the things that one should be meticulous about avoiding. “It all boils down to wound healing,” says Manhattan plastic surgeon Z. Paul Lorence. The highly competitive plastic-surgery community might bicker over techniques and bragging rights, but when it comes to stating the worst offenses that can be committed against a healing face, it is unanimous: smoking and exposure to the sun. “We would never recommend that a facelift patient go to St. Bart’s,” Lorence says. “If you do so, you’re likely to return with a raised and glistening scar.” As for smoking, some doctors, including Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Robert Kotler, are now refusing to operate on patients who won’t give up nicotine. “I just can’t do it,” he says. “There is no question that the smoker has done irreparable damage to the skin and the blood vessels; the complication rate is too high.” Kotler warns that a patient who resumes her nicotine habit shortly after surgery is also doing herself a great disservice. “Because smoking worsens the blood supply,” he says, “the skin can break down and form another scar.”

-from “Well Healed”

Where Do You Stay?

Some patients will be most comfortable convalescing at home. This can be appropriate after nearly all cosmetic procedures if there is either a responsible adult available and willing or, better yet, a trained medical professional present. Professionals who do “home care” are available anywhere. They may be registered nurses, practical nurses or medical assistants. Since there is no major nursing duty involved in routine cosmetic postoperative care, their title and credentials are less important than their cosmetic surgery experience level. The professional in attendance should be familiar with the procedure’s routine postoperative course and be capable of recognizing problems and complications requiring the surgeon’s attention. Be sure to ask about the nurse’s experience with your procedure(s). For those patients desirous of complete care outside the home, there is the “hideaway” alternative. Most large cities have specialized postoperative facilities that care for patients after cosmetic surgery. Hideaways are professionally staffed, hotel-like facilities offering appropriate meals plus transportation to the doctor’s office for postoperative visits. Not to be confused with a nursing or convalescent home, the distinct purpose of a hideaway is to cater to patients recovering from cosmetic surgery. Frequently, patients who have their procedures out-of-town will opt for the hideaway, in lieu of staying in a hotel or motel. The seclusion and freedom from all responsibility, coupled with professional care and (as desired) the camaraderie of others undergoing similar procedures is, for some, an important and valued aspect of the total experience.

Typical Recovery Times

Recovery after cosmetic surgery is usually prompt and uncomplicated, since only superficial tissues are involved. This is in contrast to medically indicated surgery where involvement of major body cavities requires prolonged healing time. Below is a list of commonly performed cosmetic procedures and the anticipated time of recovery associated with each. Recovery time is defined as the period during which one refrains from routine social and work activities.

Aftercare 191
Nasal surgery 5 to 10 days
Ear surgery 5 to 10 days
Chin Augmentation with or without neck sculpturing 5 to 7 days
Breast Augmentation 7 to 14 days
Breast Reduction 10 to 14 days
Liposuction 5 to 14 days
Eyelid surgery 5 to 10 days
Forehead/eyebrow lift 5 to 10 days
Face and neck lift 10 to 14 days
Chemical or laser skin peel 7 to 14 days
Tummy Tuck 10 to 14 days

How Cosmetic Surgeons can get you back in Action in Days, not Weeks

Few people have the luxury of taking many weeks or months away from work or normal duties to recover from elective surgery. While once it was a matter of weeks and months before one could return to the office or feel comfortable socially, today’s specialists speak of days, not weeks, and “ten to fourteen days maximum,” not six to eight weeks.

How Today’s Pros Do It

Strict avoidance of aspirin, aspirin-containing compounds (you will be amazed how many products—prescription and nonprescription—have aspirin as an ingredient). See our attached list. Avoidance of certain homeopathic or herbal supplements that can affect blood clotting. Example: Beware the “4 Gs.”

Garlic
Gingko
Ginseng
Ginger

Use of specific medications including homeopathic medicines:

Arnica. A homeopathic drug. Doctors prescribe it—prior to surgery and during the recovery period to reduce bruising.
Fresh Papaya and Fresh Pineapple. Contains the enzyme papase. Helps reduce both bruising and swelling. Get to your grocery store and stock up! 192 Secrets of a Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgeon * Edward Pribitkin, MD in Cosmetic Surgery Times, September 2000.
Low doses of cortisone. Safe when taken as directed for a short period of time. Extremely effective in reducing early swelling.

Postoperative Suction-Vacuum Systems

A high-tech, self-contained means to continually remove blood and tissue fluid—from under the skin—that can cause “black and blue” discoloration and tissue swelling. Typically used for one to two days after face and neck lifting, neck sculpture, forehead/eyebrow lifts, breast surgery and tummy tucks. Painless removal if done under local anesthesia.

Better Pain Control, Without The Unpleasant Side Effects

Newer medicines that stop pain in its tracks without nausea, vomiting, and that “woozy” feeling. Anesthesiologists introduce the medicines while you are asleep so that when you awaken after surgery, you are comfortable and do not require Morphine, Demerol, and other heavy narcotics.

Encourage Early Mild Exercise

Cosmetic surgeons—like their surgical brethren—found out that being bed bound for days was detrimental to a prompt recovery. Slow walking and stretching can be safely begun the day after surgery. The longer you stay in bed, the more lethargic you become and the cycle worsens: less exercise equals more weakness, and laziness generates more bed rest. Do not plan on running a 10K the day after your nose job, but put on your jogging shoes and at least tour the neighborhood (at sunrise or under the cover of darkness if you prefer).

Ensure Adequate Sleep

To recover quickly, you need your sleep. Often, patients sleep poorly if they have discomfort or if they are anxious, so today’s cosmetic surgeons make sure their patients have the right sleep cycle by providing proper pain medicine and by insisting that they not sleep during the day. (Best way to stay awake is to get some light exercise, as mentioned above.) If you need a short-acting sleeping pill for just a Aftercare 193 night or two, that is fine. “Be awake during the day, but sleep at night.”

Proper Diet

To heal, you need protein. And your body needs carbohydrates and fluids to function normally. Any kind of fluids, whatever you like. When patients come in one to two days after surgery and state that they “feel weak,” the first question is: “Are you eating?” Long ago, we learned that patients might not be eating because they were taking too much pain medicines that were making them nauseous. As we mentioned above, today’s pain medicines are effective, and without that unpleasant side effect.

What to Expect

The timing of your first postoperative visit to the surgeon will be dependent upon the procedure(s). Face and neck lifts, tummy tucks and some breast surgery patients may be seen daily in the first few days. Less involved operations—such as nasal and eyelid procedures—typically, do not require the first visit for four to six days. It is generally advisable to refrain from strenuous activities such as running, tennis and contact sports for seven to ten days beyond the basic recovery periods listed above. Healing rates vary. But typically you can expect to be presentable within one to two weeks after any of these procedures. Most swelling and any bruising have usually disappeared by the seventh to tenth day. Cosmetics used for camouflage can be applied as early as three to five days following surgery. The longest period that any stitches remain in place is 14 days.