After Your Surgery

After the operation you'll remain in the recovery room where you'll continue to be monitored in the unlikely event of high blood pressure, bleeding, or reaction to anesthesia. If you feel nauseated, let your attendant know right away and you'll be given antinau­sea medication.

After an hour or so, when the anesthetic has worn off, and you're fully awake, you can probably go home. Under no circumstances will you be allowed to drive after surgery, so be sure you've arranged for a driver and at-home caregiver. You'll probably leave the recov­ery room with instructions to rest and let your caregiver prepare meals and assist you with going to the bath-room and other tasks.

You should have little or no pain, but you will be prescribed a prescription pain reliever to use just in case. If you are uncomfortable to the point where you have trouble resting, don't hesitate to take the over-the-counter pain reliever your doctor recommended or the medication he or she prescribed. Sleep and relaxation are essential for healing.

To make sure you're comfortable after surgery and to speed healing, your doctor will give you specific instructions for self-care and a timetable for resuming your usual activities.The instructions depend on several factors: the type of procedure, the approach used, other procedures done at the same time, and your doctor's own experience and preferences.

To speed healing, your surgeon may also use autolo­gous platelet gel during your surgery.This gel is derived from about two ounces of the patient's own blood, drawn during the surgery. The blood is spun through a centrifuge to separate the platelets, which contain bioactive proteins. When applied under a skin flap, the platelet-rich gel helps to seal, repair, and regenerate the tissues disturbed during surgery.

Common Post-Surgical Instructions

• Keep your head elevated.When sleeping, use at least two pillows and try to lie on your back.
  
• Avoid bending over, lifting, or straining - in short, doing anything that might raise your blood pres­sure, pu tt ing a strain on your healing tissues.
  
• Use lightweight ice packs as directed to control swelling.You might use soft gel packs, or bags of frozen peas or corn, wrapped in a towel.You may be given a prescription drug to help reduce swelling.
  
• Care for your incisions may involve changing gauze pads and using a topical antibacterial ointment, such as Bacitracin and hydrogen peroxide. Do not use vitamin E on the incisions.
  
• Start out with a liquid or soft diet - not too hot or too cold.
  
• Avoid moving your mouth and facial muscles excessively by chewing, talking, laughing, smiling, drinking through a straw, yawning, even pu tt ing on lipstick.You might be advised not to tweeze your eyebrows or wear earrings.
  
• Stay out of the sun.When your doctor gives the okay, wear sunscreen (at least SPF 15) and a hat with a brim.
  
• Take prescribed and recommended medications, which may include drugs for pain, stool softeners so you don't have to strain when going to the bathroom, suppositories for nausea, sedatives to help you sleep, antibiotics to prevent infection, vitamins and food supplements, Arnica montana or bromelain for healing, and other p ro ducts approved by your doctor.
  
• Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and other blood-thinning substances - they may promote bleeding.
  
• Avoid alcohol as long as you're taking sedatives or pain medications. Your doctor may tell you not to use alcohol for three or four days after surgery, even if you're not taking those drugs.
  
• Refrain from smoking and stay away from heavy second-hand smoke for at least two weeks.
  
• Protect the surgery area from impact and injury. Wear clothing that doesn't have to be pulled over your head.

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