Post Operative Care for Face Lift, Browlift or Facial Suction You have undergone major surgery. For a speedier recovery, please act accordingly and follow these instructions. Anesthesia: You may experience a sore throat post-operatively. This is common after general anesthesia and will clear up in a few days. Nausea: If you have any nausea, take only clear liquids until the nausea has subsided. You may then resume a normal diet. Rest: Bed rest is recommended for the first 24 hours. You may be up for meals and to the bathroom with assistance. Keep your head propped on two or more pillows. Do no lie on either side of your face. Pain: You may have discomfort for several days. Use the prescription medication as directed to control any pain. Or, extra strength Tylenlol may be sufficient. Do not use Ibuprofen, Motrin , Advil or aspirin - they may cause bruising or bleeding. Adverse Reactions: If you experience any adverse reactions such as increased swelling, redness, heat and sudden fever (101º or above), please call our nursing staff for advice. Smoking: Smoking delays wound healing. Do not smoke for eight weeks postoperatively. Avoid secondary smoke if possible. Driving: Wait at least 24 hours after you have stopped taking pain medication to drive a car or operate machinery. Exercise/Activity: After three weeks, you may resume normal physical activities. Wait an additional three weeks before you resume strenuous activities. You may return to light work whenever you feel able after surgery, but check with your doctor first. Expect bloody drainage on the dressing. You may cover this with gauze and tape, but do not remove dressing. Expect black and blue discoloration around your eyes, face and neck for several weeks. You may use cold compresses on your face and neck to keep you more comfortable. To do this, use a washcloth that has been soaked in a basin of ice and tap water. Alternate clothes to maintain coldness of the cloth. You may wear sunglasses and a scarf on your first postoperative visit. You will have dried blood in your hair (browlift, face lift) On your first postop visit, your head dressing will be removed. You may shampoo your hair after the head-dressing is completely removed. Use Dial soap or baby shampoo for the first week. When combing or brushing your hair, be careful of the stitches above and behind your ear. If you use a blow dryer for your hair don not use heat. Stitches will be removed at varying intervals (browlift, face lift). Some may remain for a couple of weeks. If you have drains, care will be described to you before you leave the hospital. The bulbs must stay compressed and the drainage should be measured and recorded daily. When you have accumulated less than 30cc of fluid in 24 hours, please call the office to make an appointment with a nurse to have the drains removed. Make-up may be applied the day after all sutures have been removed. Thereafter, cleanse face and eyelids gently with soap and water twice a day. Remove all make-up before bedtime. Avoid using make-up near the suture line area until all scabs have gone away. You may be instructed to wear a chin strap after surgery. This should be worn continuously for one week and then at night for one more week.