Facial Reconstruction Post-Operative

Instructions

Have someone drive you home after surgery and help you at home for 1-2 days.
Get plenty of rest.
Follow balance diet.
Take pain medication as prescribed.
Do not take aspirin (or products that contain aspirin) unless approved by your surgeon.
Do not drink alcohol while taking pain medication.
DO NOT SMOKE. Smoking decreases blood flow. It can delay wound healing or cause tissue loss.
You can ice the area for 10 minutes every 1/2 hour for the first post op day.

Start walking as soon as possible, this helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.
Do not drive until you are no longer taking pain medication (narcotics).
You may tire easily. Plan on taking it easy for the first week.
No strenuous activity, including sex and heavy housework for 2 weeks post op.
No bending over for 3 days and 3 nights. On the 4th post op day you can start easing back into activities.
Keep your head elevated at a 45 degree angle for 3 days and 3 nights.
Sleep with your head elevated at a 45 degree angle for 3 days and 3 nights. You can use 2 couch pillows to do this or sleep in a recliner.

You may shower after 48 hours.
Avoid exposure to sun for at least 12 months.
Always use a strong sunblock, if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
If there is a steri strip on the incision, leave it on until the first post op visit.
If there is no steri strip on, you can wash area with soap and water and apply Vaseline to incision daily.

Do not try to remove this dressing. It will remain in place until your first post op appointment.
You may shower 48 hours after surgery just avoid getting the bolster (dressing) wet.
Avoid exposure to sun for at least 12 months.
Always use a strong sunblock, if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
Expect the graft to be mottled or purplish when the bolster is removed. This is normal.
Call if you experience increase swelling. There may be fluid accumulating under the graft.
Mild oozing is expected and not uncommon.

There will be a small bridge of skin and there will be more drainage. This is expected.
You can use a Q tip with peroxide and water (1/2 and 1/2) to gently clean along the bridged area.
The sutures (stitches) will be removed at the first post op visit.
No dressing is necessary.
You can apply Vaseline daily or twice a day (if needed) to the incision line and on the exposed tissue of the bridge.
This bridge will stay in place until the final surgery. The final division and inset of flap will occur at that time.

The donor site is the place where the surgeon takes skin to cover your open wound on your face.
The usual places for donor sites of the face are; the skin in front of your ear (preauricular area), the firm part of your ear if cartilage is needed or your neck.
These donor sites are generally closed with sutures (stitches).
If the donor site has a steri strip on it, leave it on until the first post op day.
If the donor site does not have a steri strip on it, you can wash it after 24 hours with soap and water and then apply Vaseline daily.

Maximum discomfort should occur in the first few days, improving each day thereafter.
Bruising, swelling, numbness, tightness and tenderness of skin for 10 - 14 days.
Face may look and feel strange and be distorted from the swelling.
Sensation may be decreased. This may or may not fully return.

If you have increased swelling or bruising.
If you have increased redness along the incision.
If you have increased pain that is not relieved by your pain medication.
If you have any side effect from your medication; rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.
If you have a temperature greater than 101.0F
If you have yellow or green drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
If you have bleeding from the incisions that is difficult to control with light pressure.

(734) 998-6022, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
After hours and on weekends, call Hospital Paging at (734) 936-6267 and ask for the Plastic Surgeon on call.