How to Achieve Post-operative Success

At Westlake Plastic Surgery, you will be provided with instructions at your pre-operative appointment. These instructions include suggestions to eat lightly, starting with liquids for two days and moving onto soft solids. When the surgical procedures involve the face, you will need to be reminded to keep your head elevated to control swelling. You should sleep on your back, elevated by three pillows, for at least a week.

VERY IMPORTANT: You shouldn't strain yourself in any way, including bending, lifting, or exercise of any kind. You should take your pain medications regularly, as well as the antibiotics prescribed.

Here are some great tips to prepare your home for your recovery:

• Lots of pillows, including one at the base of the spine and one under the knees.
• Mouthwash to rinse the mouth. It will be days until a toothbrush can fit into the mouth after a facelift.
• Safe skincare products with which to wash your faces for the first time. Make sure that all of your skincare is hypo-allergenic and formulated for sensitive and dry skin. The cleanser must have a moisturizing component, too.
• Gentle, effective creams to use on the incisions and laser-surgery sites, if needed. This will include a triple antibiotic cream, a cream to massage into scars, sun block for any outside venturing, moisturizer for their lips with vitamin E, an emollient body lotion, and possibly petroleum jelly in a tube (versus a jar). It is so much easier to use.
• A stool softener or mild laxative, since the pain medications are usually binding.
• An over-the-counter aid for sleeping. Rest and sleep are imperative to their healing process.
• Homeopathic remedies used for healing the surgical wounds, reducing the bruising, and detoxification from the anesthesia. There is a growing respect for alternative healing products in today's modern medical practices. As you know, homeopathy is a natural pharmaceutical science that uses extremely small, nontoxic doses of substances from the plant, mineral, animal, and chemical kingdoms. Homeopathic remedies are curative because they aid the body's overall defenses rather than simply treat the symptoms. These remedies stimulate the person's immune system, thereby strengthening the individual's ability to heal.
• Soft foods and water, including protein shakes, pureed applesauce, oatmeal and yogurt.
• Plenty of juice. Be careful with highly acidic juices, such as orange and grapefruit juice that could sour the stomach.
• Flexible straws for drinking liquids easily in a reclining position.
• A hand-held shower head in the tub or shower enclosure plus a plastic chair upon which to sit. There will be no other way to safely bathe for the first time without these items.
• Mild hair products to wash your hair for the first time, including a leave-in conditioner. You might want a tool to unsnarl your hair; a pick and a vented hair brush work very well. I recommend newly purchased items, since they will be used over newly sutured areas (and cleanliness is important).
• A telephone with a speaker near the bed. Holding a phone to their ears will be impossible immediately after a facelift.
• Lubricating eye drops. From surveying my clients, I found that most had dry eyes from the anesthesia, whether or not they had procedures involving their eyes.
• Get all of your prescription drugs in the house before your surgery.
• Two large bags of frozen peas and six large self-sealing plastic storage bags to make cold packs. I suggest making at least six cold packs, since you could use as many as three at a time and will need to replace them after 20 minutes.
• Lots of patience and a sense of humor. These may be the most vital requirements of all. Rely on your family and friends to help out. My clients tell me that hugs help immensely, as long as they are administered gently.