Plastic surgery is one major decision, and the operation itself is not the only concern regarding the procedure; actually, recovery is the most important part of the whole procedure for the success of the operation to satisfy both the patient. Good postoperative care enhances the rate of recovery while limiting complications for optimum results.
This article discusses post-operative care regarding eight of the most common facial plastic surgeries: facelift, blepharoplasty, brow lift, lip augmentation, facial implants, facial reconstruction, scar revision, and neck lift (also known as Turkey Neck). Here are some guidelines ensure a smooth transition in recovery and maximize a positive outcome from surgical procedures.
Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
Facial rejuvenation – or a facelift – reaffirms sagging skin, smooths deep folds, and tightens drooping facial tissues. It involves making incisions around the ears, the hairline, and possibly under the chin.
Immediate Postoperative Care
Monitoring: Patients are then taken to a recovery area post-surgery and observed until the anesthesia has worn off.
Dressings and Drains: The face may be wrapped in bandages to minimize swelling and bruising. Thin tubes may be placed at the site of surgery to drain fluid that may collect, and then are removed within a day or two.
Assisting: Arrange to have someone drive you home and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours.
Pain Management
Medications: Prescription pain relievers are taken for comfort and optimal pain control.
Cold Compresses: Cold packs on and off during the first 48 hours reduce swelling and afford additional pain relief.
Wound Care
INCISION CARE: Keep the incisions clean and dry. Clean gently with mild soap and water or as your surgeon directs.
Apply topical antibiotic ointments as necessary to prevent infection.
Hair Shampooing: Avoid washing your hair until your surgeon sees and agrees to it; This is usually due to lymph drainage.
Activity Limitations
To reduce possible edema keep head elevated at an angle of 30-45 degrees or more.
Avoid Straining: Avoid bending over or lifting heavy objects and any strenuous activities for two weeks.
Facial Movements: Avoid exaggerated facial movements or chewing to minimize stress on incisions.
Follow-up Visits
First Visit: This is usually done in the first week for draining and suture removal.
Ongoing Assessments: Regular check-ups to monitor healing progress and address any concerns.
Signs of Complications
Infection: Increased redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage from the incisions.
Hematoma: Sudden swelling, pain, or ecchymosis suggests bleeding into the skin or more deeply.
Nerve Damage: Report any persistent numbness, weakness, or asymmetry immediately.
Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure for droopy eyelids and puffiness around the eyes by removing extra skin, muscles, and fat.
Early postoperative interventions
Observation: Patients are monitored until anesthesia wears off, with vision possibly blurred due to ointments.
Eye Care: Prescription ointment and eye drops will also be used to maintain moist eyes and avoid dryness.
Help with transportation; Help at home during temporary periods of cloudy vision.
Pain Management
Medications: Mild pain is common; take pain medication as directed by physician.
Cold Compresses: Apply cold compression in sets of 10-15 minutes per hour during all awake hours for the first 48 hours.
Wound Care
Wound care includes mild cleaning of eyelids with hydrogen peroxide or saline as directed.
Avoid Irritation: Avoid rubbing or pressing on eyes.
No Makeup: Avoid eye makeup until approved by your surgeon, usually after two weeks.
Activity Limitation
It is important to try and avoid reading, screen time, and contact lenses for the first week.
Elevation: Sleeping with a wedge to elevate the head reduces swelling.
Smoking or alcohol can delay the healing process and increase possible complications.
Follow-up Visits
Suture removal: This is usually done in five to seven days.
Vision Monitoring: Report any changes in vision or severe eye pain immediately.
Signs of Complications
Infection Includes symptoms of redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage.
Bleeding behind the eye: Sharp pain, bulging of the eye, or loss of vision are typical symptoms.
Brow Lift (Forehead Lift)
It lifts the eyebrows for the improvement of forehead wrinkles and frown lines for a more youthful appearance.
Immediately after surgery
Observation: Patients are kept under observation until they recover from anesthesia.
Steri-Strips/Dressings: A dressing may be applied to reduce swelling and cover the incisions.
Assistance: Take a taxi, ride home, stay with someone.
Pain Management
Medications: Administer antispasmodic analgesics for pain control.
Cold Compresses: Apply as directed to reduce swelling and bruising.
Wound care
Wound Care: Keep the incisions clean and dry. Follow specific instructions for washing your hair and scalp.
Avoid Hair Treatments: Coloring or perming of hair must be avoided for at least a month.
Activity Limitations
Head Elevation: Keeping head elevated on two pillows reduces edema.
Avoid Fatigue-Producing Activities: No lifting, bending, or strenuous exercise whatsoever for at least two weeks.
Facial Expression Avoid exaggerated facial movements that could stress the incisions.
Follow-up Visits
Suture/Staple Removal: Usually in one to two weeks.
Heals Assessment: Follow-up on a regular basis regarding progress and proceed accordingly.
Possible complications include
Note: If any scarring is abnormally red and /or thinned.
Nerve Damage: While temporary numbness can be expected, persistent loss of sensation needs attention.
Lip Augmentation
Lip augmentation enhances the fullness of the lips using injectable fillers or implants.
Postoperative Immediate Care
Observe Mild convalescence, especially if treated with local anesthesia.
Apply cold to the area; this reduces swelling and pain.
Pain Management
Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually sufficient.
Avoid aspirin and NSAIDs because these can increase bleeding and bruising.
Wound Care
Hygiene: Ensure the lip area is clean to avoid infections.
Touching Lips or Pressure: Avoid touching or placing pressure on the lips unless otherwise instructed to do so.
Activity Limitations
Diet: Consume soft foods to minimize lip movement.
No smoking or drinking through a straw, as it may be stressful to the lips and will delay healing.
Avoid Kissing: Lip pursing or pressing together should be avoided for at least 48 hours.
Follow-up visits
Follow-up: Regular visits to assess outcomes and address concerns.
Additional Treatments-All procedures may require touch-ups at some point.
Indications of Complications
Hypersensitivity Reactions Monitor for swelling, itching or hives and report any immediately.
Infection: Persistent redness, warmth, or pus indicates infection.
Facial implants
Facial implants define facial features and restore balance and proportion to the chin, cheeks, or jaw.
Immediate post-operative care
The patients are monitored post-anesthesia for hemodynamic stability.
Dressings: Compression garments may be used to minimize swelling and support the implants.
Pain Control
Medications: Take the pain medicine as directed.
Cold Compresses: Apply to affected areas to reduce swelling.
Wound Care
Incision Care: Keep the incisions clean; if intraoral incisions were performed, maintain strict oral hygiene through gentle mouth rinsings.
No Pressure: Avoid manipulating, touching, or squeezing the area of implantation unless otherwise instructed.
Activity Limitations
Head Lifting: Keep head elevated to decongest and reduce edema.
Dietary Changes: Initial diet recommended may include only soft or liquid food.
Avoid trauma, such as jolts or weight on the face.
Follow-up Visits
Regular follow-up visits to check on implant position.
Suture Removal is performed within a week or so if external sutures are used.
Possible complications include
Implant Displacement: Deviation, asymmetry, or any other disturbance.
Infection: Pain, redness, swelling, or fever may persist.
Face Reconstruction
Facial reconstruction restores facial form and function secondary to trauma, disease, and congenital causes.
Immediate Post-operative care
Hospital Stay: These require sometimes longer hospitalizations to provide support.
Devices: Stabilization of any structure are sometimes facilitated by splinting, bandaging, or prosthetic devices.
Nutritional support maybe required with I.V. fluids or feeding tubes when oral intake is not an option.
Pain Management
Medications Medications may include strong pain relievers; follow dosing schedules carefully.
Comfort Measures: Positioning and relaxation measures can reduce discomfort.
Wound care
Incision Care: Detailed wound care instructions must be followed to avoid infection.
Hygiene: Keep the surgical site and any devices or prosthetics clean.
Activity Limitation
Rest: Total bed rest to improve recovery.
Follow-up Visits
Frequency Monitoring: Periodic monitoring of the healing and functional restitution process.
Additional Procedures: Generally, additional reconstruction surgeries are staged, if needed.
Symptoms of Complications
Infection: High risk due to extensive surgery; report any signs immediately.
Functional Impairment: Loss of motion, sensation, or function requires urgent attention.
Scar Revision
Scar revision makes the scars less noticeable because the general appearance is improved.
Immediate postoperative care
Dressings: Applied to protect the area and promote optimal healing.
Limit Tethering: Avoid stretching or pulling on the wound site.
Pain Management
Medications: Mild pain is common; over-the-counter analgesics are generally adequate.
Elevation: If possible, elevate the affected area to reduce swelling.
Wound Care
Wound Care: Keep the area clean and dry. Apply topical medications as ordered to assist in healing.
Sun Protection: Protect the scar from sun exposure using sunscreen or clothing.
Activity Limitations
Avoid Stress Avoid tugging on the scar with an activity. Resume Activities Gradually unless instructed differently by your surgeon.
Follow-up: Routine follow-up regarding scar maturation and resolution.
Signs of Complications
Atypical scarring, that is keloids or hypertrophic scars, may require additional intervention.
Infection: Monitor for increased redness, swelling, or drainage.
Neck Lift-Surgery to Correct Turkey Neck
A neck lift, or Platysmaplasty, reshapes both the neck skin and muscle to erase what some call a “turkey neck”.
Immediate postoperative care Monitoring: This is necessary to ascertain stability post anesthesia.
Dressings and Compression: Bandages and compression garments are used to reduce swelling and support healing tissues.
Assistance: This includes arranging for help at home, especially in the beginning of recovery.
Pain Management Medications: These are prescribed so there is a relatively pain-free recovery process. Cold compresses as instructed and to help reduce swelling.
Wound Care: Follow surgeon’s instructions for cleaning and care of incisions behind the ears or under the chin.
Avoid Moisture: Keep dressings dry, and avoid showering in the initial period.
Activity Limitations: Minimize neck movements; avoid excessive neck turning or bending.
Rest: This includes sleeping with the head and shoulders elevated. Avoid sleeping on one’s side or stomach. For a number of weeks, avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and any activities that may increase your blood pressure.
Repeated visits Suturing and drain removal: This is usually done within a week. Progress Checks: Periodic follow-up checks on the healing status and to clarify concerns
Indicators of Complications Neurological Injury: Report any symptoms of numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness.
Hematoma: Sudden swelling or bruise may indicate hemorrhage and requires immediate attention.
Accordingly, post-operative care, down to minute details, is important to receive if the successful results of facial plastic surgery are to be achieved. By coming for all follow-up appointments, following the guidelines, and communicating well with their surgery team, patients are considered to be actively participating in their own process of recovery. In fact, good post-operative care is one of the most important aspects of facial plastic surgery that contributes to good surgical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and long-term results.
Disclaimer: This article is purely for informational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with the physician or surgeon managing such a patient.
