Important!!

• Absolutely no talking for the first 24 hours after surgery, then minimal talking 24-72 hours after surgery.
• No lifting, bending, stooping or straining.
• Do not squint tightly for 7 days after surgery.
• Flex your leg calf muscles for 3 minutes every hour while awake. Avoid crossing or massaging your legs.
• Start walking the first night after surgery even if it is just a walk around the bed.
• Drink plenty of fluids (eight glasses of water the first 3 days after surgery).

1. Prescriptions:

• Use medications as prescribed. You may resume your pre-op medications, except aspirin and Motrin, which you should not take for one week after surgery.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages – beer and wine included – for 48 hours. They do not mix with anesthesia and may make you very sick. Also do not mix alcoholic beverages with pain pills.
• Do not do anything that requires any coordination for 48 hours after surgery and while you are taking pain medication. The medication and/or anesthetic agents may interfere with good judgment.
• DO NOT DRIVE FOR ONE WEEK AFTER SURGERY.

2. Call Dr. Andochick if you notice any excessive swelling, bleeding, or soreness, particularly if you notice the difference in only one side of your face.

3. It is necessary that you stay quiet and do little talking for the next 72 hours, as excessive activity may cause bleeding to occur. ABSOLUTELY NO TALKING FOR THE FIRST 24 HOURS AFTER SURGERY and minimal talking 24-72 hours after surgery. No lifting, bending, stooping, or straining.

4. Sleep on three or more pillows. These pillows should be placed lengthwise under your back and neck, NOT under your head. The idea is to create more neck extension and not hold your neck in a flexed position.

5. Sponge baths are permissible (not showers) until your dressings are removed. Keep your dressings intact until you see Dr. Andochick.

6. Ice packs to the face and eyes may help prevent swelling up to 48 hours following surgery.  Bags of frozen peas work well for this.

7. Empty your drains and record outputs on your drain sheets every eight hours.

8. You may drink liquids when you arrive home. By evening, you may have a light meal. It should be a soft or liquid diet that requires no strenuous chewing for one week. No coffee or caffeine for seven days after surgery and do not use straws.

9. Patient must not be left alone for the first 24 hours after surgery.

10. Do not smoke for four weeks after surgery, as this affects healing.

11. No make-up for ten days.

12. At 5-6 days, you may wash your hair with Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. Lean your head back into a sink as opposed to forward.

13. No heavy exercise for one month.

14. No hair dyes for five weeks, no hair rollers for three weeks as pulling on your hair the first three weeks could permanently damage hair follicles.