Facial Implants Post-Operative Guidelines

Instructions

• Have someone drive you home after surgery and help you at home for 1-2 days.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Follow a balanced diet. Dr. Khosh may provide dietary restrictions.
• Take any antibiotics as instructed. It helps to eat cultured yogurt or over the counter Acidophilus tablets while on antibiotics to minimize intestinal side effects.
• Dr. Khosh may instruct you to take the herbal supplement Arnica-Montana. This is intended to minimize bruising.
• You may be prescribed steroid tablets to minimize post op swelling. If so, take them as instructed on the packet. Note that steroids can make you feel anxious; this is a common side effect.
• Decreased activity may promote constipation, so you may want to add more raw fruit to your diet, and be sure to increase fluid intake.
• Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin.
• Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medications.
• Even when not taking pain medications, no alcohol for 2 weeks.
• If you are taking vitamins with iron, resume these as tolerated.
• Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications.
• When implants are placed from within the mouth, Dr. Khosh will provide dental and oral hygiene instructions.

What to Expect with All Facial implants

• Temporary discomfort, swelling, bruising, numbness and/or stiffness.

What to Expect with Chin Implants

• Usually, your chin is taped to minimize swelling and discomfort.
• Black and blue marks around chin and neck.
• Temporary difficulty with smiling and talking.

What to Expect with Jaw Implants

• Ability to smile, talk, or move your mouth in any way may be limited for several weeks.
• Swelling immediately after surgery can be significant and usually peaks in 24-48 hours.

Activities

• 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 any pain medications (narcotics).
• Return to work in about 1 week.
• Avoid any activity that could jar or bump your face for at least 6 weeks.

Incision Care

• You may shower the following day after surgery.
• Avoid exposing scars to sun for 6 months.
• Always use a strong sunblock, if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
• Keep steri-strips on; replace if they come off.
• Keep incisions clean and inspect daily for signs of infection.

Appearance

• Fuller, more balanced look.
• Normal appearance in 2-4 weeks.
• Jaw: Final facial contour may not be apparent for several months due to prolonged mild swelling.

Follow-Up Care

• Sutures in the skin will be removed in 5-7 days.
• Sutures used to close internal incisions usually dissolve within 10 days.

When To Call

• If you have increased swelling or bruising.
• If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
• If you have increased redness along the incision.
• If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
• If you have any side effects to medications; such as, rash, nausea, headache, vomiting.
• If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees.
• If you have any yellowish or greenish drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
• If you have bleeding from the incisions that is difficult to control with light pressure.
• If you have loss of feeling or motion.
• If you have any questions or concerns you may reach Dr. Khosh at 212-339-9988.