Pre – and Post Surgical Instructions – SLUPlift™ Mini Facelift New York

Please review these instructions at least two weeks prior to your surgery. It is critical that you follow these instructions very carefully to ensure optimal healing and results.

Pre-Surgical Instructions – New York Mini Facelift

1. Start taking Vitamin C approximately one week prior to procedure, 2000 – 3000 mg per day.
2. Begin taking Arnica (listed below in medications) 3 days prior to your procedure; continue for 2 or 3 days after your procedure.
3. Avoid taking Vitamin E and Ibuprofen products and Aspirin one week prior to surgery.
4. Refrain from all nicotine and tobacco products for two weeks before and after your surgery. This includes cigarettes, pipe tobacco or “the patch”.
5. Do not drink alcohol for one week before and one week after the surgery.
6. Do not eat or drink ANYTHING (including water) after midnight on the evening before surgery. Do not chew gum.
7. Shampoo your hair the night before surgery. Do not use hairspray or setting lotion.
8. You may shower/bathe the morning of the surgery.
9. DO NOT apply cosmetics/make-up or lotion to your face.
10. Do not wear nail polish on the day of the surgery. Also remove acrylic nails and nail tips.
11. Remove contact lenses prior to your procedure.
12. Remove any facial piercings.
13. Wear minimal clothing that is easy to remove. Buttons or zippers should be on the front. Avoid wearing clothing that must be pulled over your head.
14. On the day of surgery please do not wear jewelry or bring valuables with you. Comfortable and functional attire is recommended on the day of the surgery: hooded sweatshirt with a zipper or buttons and sweatpants.
15. Dentures should remain in place.

You should have the following on hand and ready for you when you return home after surgery. This is for post-surgical care.

1. Bacitracin ointment.
2. Q-tips – medical grade.
3. 4×4 gauze – cotton free.
4. Arnica – a natural supplement that helps prevent bruising.

After Ambulatory Surgery

1. We will need to see you at the office the day following surgery. You will need to have someone drive you to this appointment.
2. If your surgery is ambulatory, a responsible person must stay with you overnight, and all times on the day of the surgery. This is NYS law and surgery will be canceled if an adult is not present.

Medications and their Benefits

Amoxicillin

An antibiotic used as a prophylactic to prevent any infection. Take one tablet, three times a day, with meals.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Helps promote the healing process. Take two 500 mg tablets three times a day (total of 3000 mg). Continue for one week after surgery.

Arnica

A natural herb that significantly reduces bruising. Take three sublingually (under the tongue) three times a day before meals.

Post-Surgical Instructions

Tonight:

Relax, eat something. You don’t have to do anything to your incision sites–your head has been dressed and no maintenance is necessary until after tomorrow. Try to sleep in a semi-reclined position (on a couple of pillows) rather than completely flat–this will help limit swelling.

Tomorrow:

Begin taking your antibiotic. You will see me for your first post-operative visit. I will also instruct you on how to clean your incision sites; take a cotton swab (Q-tip), take a generous amount of Bacitracin ointment and swab over the incision sites, keeping the area moist.

Call me with any questions. Jana will provide you with my cell number in advance of your surgery, should you need to reach me after regular business hours.