Please avoid alcohol, high dose vitamins, herbal medications, aspirin, and NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Motrin, Alleve, Advil, Naprosyn) for two weeks prior to surgery as this increases the chance of bleeding and bruising.
You should not smoke for four weeks prior to surgery as it delays wound healing. Second hand smoke is also detrimental to wound healing.
Acetominophen (Tylenol) is safe to take prior to surgery. Please inform us and the anesthesiologist regarding all your medications and dosages so that we can advise you properly. Arnicca Montanna may be advised to reduce bruising, especially for liposuction and facial procedures. This is available at most health food stores.
If you are taking blood thinning medications, such as Coumadin, Plavix, Lovenox, or Aspirin, please inform us and also check with your prescribing physician if it is safe to discontinue it prior to surgery.
Be sure to arrange for transportation to your home following the surgery. It is best to have someone with you for at least 24 hours after any procedure.
Scar massage is performed to reduce the redness, make skin stronger by re-orienting the collagen, and make the scar less noticeable.
Scar massage is performed for any closed incision of the skin either following cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, closure of lacerations or wounds. This can be started once the tenderness decreases enough to allow for the massaging.
Scar massage is performed either when the sutures are removed or tape / steri-strips are removed when dissolving sutures are used. If nylon (blue or black) sutures are used, the incision area should be dressed with a triple antibiotic ointment 3 times a day after cleanng the suture line with either soap and water or ½ water / ½ hydrogen peroxide mixture. The ointment should be used sparingly to avoid buildup.
Scar massage should be performed 4 times a day by placing any lotion on the finger tip and massaging it over the scar at least for 1-2 minutes depending on the length of the scar. This can be performed for any length of time following the procedure (weeks to months) as long as improvement is noted. Scar massage will also reduce the scar tissue and swelling and make the tissue and the scar gradually softer.
Vitamin E has been noted to cause inflammation on a minority of the population.
Please do not perform scar massage for any open wounds as they should be kept moist and covered to optimize wound healing. Special dressings may be used to address open wounds.
Maintain the surgical dressing for 1 to 2 days following the surgery. If your appointment is with in 2-3 days following the procedure, the dressing will be removed in the office. Please bring a sports bra with an opening in front to wear after the dressing is removed. If you are unable to come for follow up appointment within 2 to 3 days, the dressing may be removed at home.
You may shower after the dressing is removed and wear a sports bra for support following the shower.
Steri-strips or brown paper tape on the skin stays on for 5-7 days and you may shower with tape. These may be removed after 7 days.
Resume gentle activity. No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 4 weeks following the surgery. The risk of bleeding is much higher with increased pressure. If you do experience increased pain, bruising, and pressure, remove the dressing to evaluate your breasts. If the breast with pain is swollen, bruised, and bulging, notify your physician immediately as this may signify bleeding in the breast. The sooner this is taken care, the better the results.
NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Motrin, Alleve, Advil) can be taken safetly after the procedure as you try to wean off the narcotics.
Do not drive if you are taking narcotic medications.
Dissolving sutures are used and scar massage may be performed after the tape is removed. Please see the section on scar massage for instructions.
Breast massage may be performed after 2-3 weeks when tenderness decreases. This is performed to help reduce scar tissue formation.
Swelling will slowly resolve in 6 months and the final result will be apparent at this time.
Your dressing will stay on for 1-2 days. It can be removed either in the office or at home. You may shower and wear a sports bra. Please leave brown paper tape or steri-strips for 5-7 days when they will come off or removed.
Scar massage should be performed after the brown tape/steri-strips are off. Sutures are dissolving and do not have to be removed unless liposuction was performed at the same time. Liposuction sutures are taken out in 7-19 days in the office.
Sensation to your skin will slowly return as the swelling subsides. This can take up to 6 months. NSAIDS (Motrin, Advil, Ibuprofen, Alleve) can be safely taken after the procedure.
Do not perform heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for 4 weeks following the procedure. You may resume gentle activity following the procedure. If your are experiencing pain or difficulty with arm movement, do not drive.
Using cool packs for 24 hours will help to reduce pain and bruising. Keep your head elevated to reduce swelling.
Do not perform heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 2-3 weeks following the procedure. You may resume gentle activity following the procedure. You may also take NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Alleve) following the surgery.
Your sutures will be removed 4 to 7 days following the procedure. The drains for a facelift are removed the day following the surgery. We recommend a compressing garment is for 2 to 3 weeks to reduce the swelling, especially in the neck area. Swelling may take 7 to 10 days to subside. You may shower after the drains are removed (usually removed the day following the procedure).
You should keep your head elevated and apply cool packs to your forehead and eyes for 24 hours to reduce swelling.
The drains for the forehead will be removed in 24 hours and you may shower after drain removal. Your sutures are removed usually 7-10 days. Please use antibiotic ointment over the suture line prior to suture removal and remember to perform scar massage following suture removal (please see section on scar massage).
Apply triple antibiotic ointment to the incision areas 3 times a day. Use just enough ointment so the skin is shiny and do not over apply ointment will build up. Either wash the incision area with soap and water or with a mixture of ½ water and ½ hydrogen peroxide prior to next application of the antibiotic ointment.
For patients with eyelid surgery, apply ophthalmic antibiotic ointment 2-3 times a day using the same instructions as in item 3. Eye lubrication may needed to prevent dry eyes by using a either a gel (night time) and / or artificial tears (day time). Antibiotic drops are also used for the first 5 days.
The bruising and the swelling around the eyes will subside over 7 to 10 days.
If your vision is impaired, please do not attempt to drive.
Resume gentle activity following the procedure. No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 3 weeks following the procedures.
Keep head elevated. Use nasal spray to keep passages moist. A guaze taped to the upper lip will help to catch any drainage.
The packing in the nose is removed the day following the surgery. The splint inside the nose is removed at 7-10 days following the surgery. The splint outside the nose is removed at 10-14 days following the surgery.
The sutures at the tip are removed in 4-7 days. The inside sutures dissolve by themselves.
Patients may resume gentle activity after the procedure and avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 2-3 weeks following the procedure.
The bruising or swelling will subside over 10-14 days. Complete resolution of edema will take a longer time.
NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Advil, Alleve, Motrin) may be taken following the procedure. Antibiotics are taken while the packing is in the nose. Nasal spray will help to keep the mucosa moist.
Pain medicines: Advil, Tylenol, Ibuprofen is okay to take in conjunction with the prescribed narcotics if needed.
Dressings: May leave the compression garment, sponge, white tape on till your follow up appointment. If they get soaked, you may remove them and take a shower and wear the garment. The garment may be taken off at night, washed, and air dried.
Sutures are removed in 5 to 7 days. Steri strips will be placed and recommend scar massage after the strips fall off. Scar massage is performed with any lotion by massaging over the scar for 1 minute four times per day.
Mild bruising is normal. If you see any dark areas of skin or dark swelling, please call Dr Kumar.
Arnica Montana may be taken. May also resume any preoperative medications, vitamins, herbals which were held prior to the procedure.
You may resume gentle activity after the procedure as tolerated but avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting for 2-3 weeks. Gentle activity, such as walking is recommended following liposuction.
Resume regular diet. We encourage fluids initially after the procedure.
The drains are removed in 7 to 14 days after the procedure when the drainage is less than 30 cc / 24 hours for each drain.
The abdominal binder or a garment is used for compression. These may be taken off as needed. The brown tape or steri-strips can be removed after 5 to 7 days and scar massage is started. Please see the section on scar massage for instructions. Dissolving sutures are used.
Gentle activity is encouraged. Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 4 weeks following surgery.
Resume regular diet after the procedure and fluids are encouraged initially.
NSAIDS (Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Alleve) can be taken with the prescribed pain medications after the procedure. The garment / binder should not be too tight but snug. It can be taken off at night to wash and air dry.
The return to driving varies with each procedure, but as always, do not drive if taking narcotics. Consult with Dr. Kumar if you have any questions.
Riverside PSC is located in the Johns Creek / Duluth area, easily accesible from highways 120 and 141.
The information on this web site should not be substitued for a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.
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