Facial Plastic Surgery Preparation
Please read and comply with the following points for facial plastic surgery preparation:
- Pre-Surgical Testing: To book surgery with Dr. Horn‘s surgical scheduler, please call 212-884-8297, and via fax number 212-889-1534. She will assist you in arranging for the proper testing at your internist’s office or PACC within the month before surgery.
- Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, etc.) or any drugs containing these compounds, or vitamin E over and above what is already in a multivitamin, for two weeks prior to surgery. Please also avoid herbal remedies such as garlic, ginko bulloba, and ginseng during this time period.
- Please do not smoke two weeks before and two weeks after surgery.
- Avoid direct sun exposure two weeks prior to surgery and keep all scars out of the sun for at least 6-12 months after surgery. You should use a high SPF sunscreen on your nose and on any visible scars. Exposing your nose to a sunburn may cause it to swell and slow your recovery. Scars also tend to absorb pigment more than the surrounding skin.
- Purchase two 2-pound frozen bags of peas. You will use these as ice bags postoperatively!
- Do not eat or drink anything, including water, gum, or candy after midnight the night before your surgery.
- You must arrange for someone to take you home from the hospital. You will not be allowed to leave alone.
- Give your preferred pharmacy’s telephone number to Dr. Horn’s staff so that your prescriptions can be called in and picked up before your procedure. This will simplify your return home after surgery. Also be sure you have Q-tips, hydrogen peroxide, and bacitracin ointment ready at home to care for your incisions after surgery.
Day of Surgery
- Wear clothing that fastens loosely in the front or back. Avoid slipover sweaters, T-shirts and turtlenecks that could touch your face.
- Do not eat or drink anything, including water, gum, or candy the morning of your surgery. You may brush your teeth, but please do not drink water.
- Take only regular medications as explicitly instructed (for example blood pressure medications) with a small sip of water.
- Leave jewelry and valuables at home.
- Do not wear any facial or eye make-up, or nail polish.
- Wear your glasses; do not wear contact lenses.
- If you wear dentures, keep them in.
Post-Operative Care
- Keep bandages on until you are instructed to remove them or we do so in the office. You may wash your face – carefully avoid the dressing. When you shower, avoid getting the dressing wet.
- Your diet has no restrictions.
- Avoid extreme physical activity. Please do not go to the gym, bend, strain, have intercourse or lift heavy objects for 1 week. You may go for gentle walks. Relax and rest more than usual.
- Absolutely avoid sun or sun lamps for 6 weeks after surgery; heat and sun damage may cause the nose to swell.
- Don’t be concerned if, following removal of dressing, the face shows some swelling and discoloration – this usually clears in two weeks. In certain patients it may require 6 months for all swelling to completely subside.
- Take only medications prescribed by your doctor. You will clean your stitches with peroxide on a Q-tip and then coat them with a thin layer of ointment twice a day.
- Contact lenses may be worn the day after surgery.
- Makeup may be used as soon as the cast and tape are removed.
