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Please read the following carefully. If you have questions call the office at 303.872.5103.
- ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING for at least 2 weeks prior to your procedure and 2 weeks after your procedure.
- DRESSINGS: You will have sutures and steri-strips under your chin and perhaps sutures behind your ears and into the hairline behind your ears. You may get these areas wet, but leave try to leave the steri-strips in place until we see you at your first appointment.
- SHOWER: You may shower with lukewarm water the day AFTER surgery. Do not let the force of the shower hit your neck directly. Soap and water may run over this area. No tugging or pulling around your neck. Pat dry with a towel.
- MEDICATION(S): Take your medications as directed on the bottle. Please finish any antibiotics that have been prescribed. Continue all blood pressure, heart, and thyroid medications. Take any of your required medications at the usual time(s). Check with our staff regarding any medications in question, including those for Diabetes. NO ASPIRIN, IBUPROFEN, HERBS, DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS, OR OTHER MEDICATIONS ON THE "NO-NO LIST" for 2 weeks following your surgery.
- PAIN MEDICATIONS: Take your pain medications regularly for the first few days. It is easier to stay ahead of the discomfort than to play catch-up. We do not want you in a lot of unnecessary discomfort as it is important for you to be doing your deep breathing exercises, be up walking, and avoiding excessive elevation of your blood pressure. Pain medications may be stopped, if not needed, or substituted with Tylenol should you need something to take the edge off. Avoid taking your pain medications on an empty stomach. You may resume Ibuprofen after 2 weeks.
- CAREGIVER: You MUST have a caregiver for the first 24 hours after surgery.
- COMPRESSION STOCKINGS: Your surgical stockings may be removed once you are up and walking around regularly.
- GARMENT: Wear your chin/neck compression garment all day everyday for the first week then wear it only at night for the second week. Watch for any areas of focal pressure or rubbing. Remember your sensation will not be normal in many areas and you may not be sensitive to excessive pressure or developing sores.
- ACTIVITY: We want you UP and MOVING the day of surgery. Walking is encouraged. Do not exercise to get your heart beating fast and hard for the first week after surgery. No aerobics, jogging, weight lifting, etc. Limit the turning of your neck or head for the first week. After one week, you may GRADUALLY increase your exercise. After the second week you may resume all exercise. Remember to increase slowly.
- DEEP BREATHING: Ten big deep breaths every hour while you are awake! This exercise will open up the air sacs in your lungs to prevent post-operative fevers and pneumonias. This may seem trivial but we all tend to take shallow breaths when we are having discomfort. In addition, you have just had surgery on your chest and you are wearing a restrictive garment!
- SLEEPING/POSITIONING: Sleep on your back for the first week or so. We also recommend sleeping propped up or with the head of your bed elevated for the first week. This can help minimize/reduce your post-operative swelling. When you are less tender, you may sleep in whatever position is comfortable.
- DRIVING: You may resume driving once you are off narcotic pain medications and when you feel comfortable behind the wheel. Keep in mind that you must be able to maintain control of your vehicle should you need to swerve suddenly to miss an accident, have a blow-out, etc.
- CONSTIPATION: Take an over-the-counter stool softener (Colace or Peri-Colace) per the package instructions while you are taking the narcotic pain medication. Between a change in diet, decreased activity, and the narcotic pain medications, constipation is not uncommon. Have a low threshold for using a laxative (Dulcolax or Milk of Magnesia), suppository, or enema (also per package instructions) to get your system moving.
- ICE: We DO NOT recommend the use of ice packs. The normal blood supply to your skin has been disrupted with your surgery and your skin is very sensitive to decreased blood flow following surgery. Cooling the skin will further decrease the blood flow to your skin and the incision that is trying to heal.
- MINIMIZING SCARS: Minimize hyperpigmentation or darkening of the scar by avoiding sun exposure to the affected area while it is pink and healing—this may be as long as several months to over a year! Use a sunblock or sunscreen with SPF 45, protective clothing is helpful.
There are few magic potions to eat, drink, or rub into your scar. Vitamin E, Cocoa Butter, Mederma, etc. are often thought to improve scars. These products may help but it is more likely that the massaging action helps to reduce swelling and scar firmness. Over-exuberant scar formation, such as scar hypertrophy or keloids, scar widening, or discoloration are uncommon but can be minimized or improved using various techniques. Some examples include the use of scar massage, silicone gel or sheeting, and/or steroid injection for firm, hypertrophic or keloid scars; tape support to the incision for scar widening; laser treatment of persistently pink scars; bleaching agents for hyperpigmented scars. We will instruct you on these techniques when appropriate.
- DIET: Start with clear liquids initially (e.g. juice, tea soda, Jell-O, broth). Then advance your diet to soft food if you are not nauseated. No tough chewy foods for 1 week.
- JEWELERY: No earrings or necklaces for 2 weeks after surgery.
- SUN: Avoid any sun or UV exposure to your incisions for as long as they are still pink and sun-sensitive. Use a sun block with SPF 45.
- SYMPTOMS: CALL THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY AT 303.872.5103 if you develop any of the following symptoms:
- Significant asymmetry or excessive swelling
- Excessive pain or bruising
- Fever over 101° or shaking chills
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In Our Patients' Own Words:
Thank you to Dr. Atagi and her staff. Each one of Dr. Atagi's staff made me feel as if I was their only and favorite patient. They monitored my healing and well-being as if I was a relative. Thank you for your support and friendship throughout my procedure.
- P. Murguia
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