Patient Information INFORMATION ABOUT OFFICE PROCEDURES PRINT OFFICE VISIT INSTRUCTIONS » Many office procedures take place in one of our treatment rooms. For these, we use a combination of local anesthesia and the following pills by mouth: Valium (diazepam) for relaxation, repeated as necessary Dramamine (dimenhydrinate), an antihistamine to settle the stomach Duricef (cefadroxil), a long-lasting antibiotic if no allergy Tylenol (acetaminophen), for mild discomfort Vitamin C (anti-oxidant) to aid in healing Valtrex (valacyclovir) an anti-viral starting two days before your laser procedure (this will be prescribed for you) You cannot drive yourself after taking these pills for the next 24 hours. Be sure to tell us if you have any allergies to medications. Also, we want you to have a small, balanced breakfast before you arrive at the office (this is just the opposite of general anesthesia when you must not have anything by mouth after midnight). Also, not too much liquids the morning of your procedures. DAY BEFORE Pace yourself, don’t get too tired. Be sure to hydrate extra well. Eat a full dinner and have a “sport” drink with electrolytes in the evening. You can take something for sleep if you wish. BREAKFAST SUGGESTIONS YES: Even if you usually skip breakfast you will feel and do better if you eat something the morning of your procedure. You may have decaf coffee or tea. Almond, soy, or regular milk. Whole eggs, cheese, regular yogurt, avocado, berries, whole grain toast or bread products, butter, whole grain cereals, walnuts, almond butter or peanut butter. This is the one time fats are acceptable to give you lasting energy without blood sugar spikes and drops. NO: Please, no caffeine or any other stimulant in the morning. If you are used to several cups of coffee or other caffeine, gradually cut back the week before your procedure. Also, avoid the higher sugar snacks or highly refined carbohydrates and treats. Avoid fruit juices (their sugar is a diuretic). INSTRUCTIONS AFTER RHYTIDECTOMY (FACELIFT) PRINT POST-FACELIFT PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS DAY OF SURGERY Stay in bed and rest or sleep on your back with your head elevated on 2-3 pillows. Drink liquids as tolerated. You may get out of bed to go to the bathroom with assistance. It is normal to be drowsy but try and eat a light, soft meal in the evening. Swelling, bruising, and tightness of the bandage are normal. Take medication only as instructed. If there is excessive or sudden swelling accompanied by increasing bruising and pain (especially on one side), call the office immediately. Absolutely no smoking (for at least one week) to avoid permanent scarring. Do not apply ice to skin. DAY AFTER SURGERY The snug dressings come off and a lighter protective dressing is used for one more day. Have a snack or light meal before coming to the office for the dressing change and before other post-operative visits. Always call the office before you leave for your appointment to confirm the timing of your visit and to avoid waiting. FOLLOW-UP CARE Your face may be visibly swollen and bruised for two weeks or longer after surgery. “Lumps and bumps” may last longer. Please try to be patient; it is part of the healing process. Avoid sudden movements of your head from side to side to prevent tension on the sutures. Move your head and shoulders together, as one unit. Try to sleep on your back for two weeks after surgery to help decrease swelling. Avoid hard chewing for 2-3 weeks. After the light dressings are removed, you may wash your face gently with a mild soap and cool water, but NO rubbing or scrubbing. Pat dry softly. You will be instructed to get into a shower and wash your hair with a mild shampoo (e.g. Johnsons Baby Shampoo) two or three days after surgery. Avoid having the water beating direction on your face. Use lukewarm (not hot) water and do not use a hot blow dyer - cool to slightly warm is fine, but do not pull on your hair. Sutures will be removed during the first week or two; be sure not to place undue tension on the incisions. Makeup can be applied after 10 days, avoiding the actual incision lines. POST-OPERATIVE HEALING Plenty of rest, both physical and mental, alongside adequate nutrition are all important factors in healing, so eat well and take it easy for a few weeks. We recommend starting a multi-vitamin two weeks after surgery. Zinc, B-Complex, and C can be started right after surgery. Remember: avoid Vitamin E and Fish Oil for two weeks before and after surgery (refer to the list of items to avoid). Alcohol can prolong swelling and healing, so avoid it for 2-3 weeks. Numbness, swelling, tingling, itching, discoloration, bumpiness, hardness, crusting, tightness, and redness around incisions are entirely normal and should resolve gradually with healing. Do not wear earrings for 2-3 weeks or until numbness is gone from the earlobes. Avoid prolonged direct sun for 6-8 weeks. Wear a hat and don’t forget your sunscreen. Sunglasses are helpful. Please wipe the portion touching your skin near the top of your ears (true for all glasses) with rubbing alcohol to avoid infection for 2-3 weeks. Do not color or bleach your hair for 6 weeks. Full healing takes many months. Please keep your routine post-operative appointments. A final check-up is advisable 12 months after surgery. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the office: MICHAEL M. CHURUKIAN, MD, FACS | (310) 550-1545 Home | Face & Neck | Nose | Ears | Eyelids | Fat Grafting | Microlipo-Neck | Microlipo-Body | Skin Resurfacing | Testimonials | Give Back | About Dr Churukian | About the Clinic | Patient Info | Contact