After Facial Implants

When lying down elevate your head on two or three pillows in a reclining chair, this helps in post-operative swelling in the first week.

Do not removed dressing or bandages until instructed  by Dr. Ford to do so. Your pressure dressing will need to be held in place for the first 24 hours. At your first post-operative visit Dr. Ford will removed the dressing, at the time of that visit depending on the case Dr. Ford will let you know when you need to discontinue using the pressure dressing.

Take prescribed medications as indicated on bottle. It is important to take your antibiotic until completely gone.

Wound care:

• Clean the wound with peroxide and water (equal parts) and then dab /dry-off.  DO NOT PICK OR REMOVE ANY SCAB THAT IS FORMING. 
• Apply bacitracin ointment to the wound and keep the wound moist with ointment throughout the day.
• Do not directly saturate the wound with water for a long period of time (ex: showering, swimming) as this causes poor tissue quality and stitches may stretch.
• Some bruising may occur.

Once the wound has fully healed it will go through a “red phase”.  This means the tissue where the wound was will appear red.  If you had sutures, this would be 5-7 days approximately AFTER the sutures have been removed. It is at this time that you can begin massaging this area with vitamin E oil, either from a capsule or a bottle.  You should do this massage daily.  This will soften the wound and aid in it slowly changing back to the color of your skin.  This is a slow process that takes weeks to months.  Do not underestimate how much this can help in bringing about an excellent cosmetic result.

Finally, use a high number of sun block (around 45-50 SPF). This should be used for 1 year for the treated area to prevent permanent soft tissue damage.  If the wound is going to be exposed in a “dirty” atmosphere, it will need to be covered.

Patients who received general anesthesia should return home from our office immediately upon discharge and lie down with the head elevated until all the effects of the anesthesia have disappeared.  Anesthesia effects vary by individual, and you may feel drowsy for a short period of time or for several hours.  You should not operate any mechanical equipment or drive a motor vehicle (including ATV’s, dirt bikes, etc.) for at least 24 hours or longer if you feel any residual effects from the anesthesia.  Do not use appliances or equipment that could be dangerous such as power tools, stoves, burners or lawn mowers.  Watch out for dizziness.  Walk slowly and take your time.  Sudden changes of position can also cause nausea, dizziness or even fainting.  Do not drink any alcoholic beverages.  The drugs in your body may increase your reaction to alcohol and could be dangerous.