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The postoperative plan of care must be
adhered to faithfully for the best possible surgical outcome.
Most important is limiting head and neck movement which can
compromise the healing. NO DRIVING for at least
a week! Keeping the head elevated when in bed will minimize
the swelling and bruising, and it is recommended that patients
remain in bed for the first 1-2 days following surgery. They
will be asked to return to the office within the next 1-2 days
for a postoperative examination. Sutures are checked. A few
days after surgery, the dressings may be removed, and the patient
can resume his or her normal personal care routine, such as
washing hair, with some limitations, of course. Only modest
exercise programs may be resumed within 2 weeks. Jogging, weight
lifting, aerobics or tennis should be postponed for at least
4 weeks. The surgeon will remove sutures about a week later.
The patient may feel tightness in the face and neck skin and
should continue to experience some swelling which may persist
for several weeks or months. Applying cold packs to the face
will help minimize it. Also, most patients experience some numbness
in areas of the face. This is normal and will dissipate as the
incisions heal and the swelling subsides. After two weeks, the
remaining discoloration can be covered with makeup and a good
hairstyle, and the patient is ready to pick up with their normal
activity schedule. The scars around the hairline and ears will
slowly fade and will be barely visible months later. The postoperative
patient should avoid the sun as scars will darken with exposure.
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