Facelift Surgery Instructions for Surgery

Hygiene and Wound Care

• You can shower the first day after surgery, but wait for your doctor to give the OK.
• You must clean all incisions with 2 or 3 percent hydrogen peroxide then apply Bacitracin ointment on non-hair bearing areas twice daily (skin around the ears but not in the hair).
• Ice compresses must be placed over the face and around the neck behind the ears and changed every half hour for two and a half days. These are iced wash cloths in a 50/50 ice and water solution, wrung out.

Activity Restrictions

• No lifting greater than 15 pounds for the first week or 50 pounds for the second week.
• Light exercise can begin one week after surgery, heavier exercise two weeks after.
• No golf for six weeks.
• Driving may resume in one week.
• Sleep with your head of bed elevated 15 to 30 degrees for two weeks.

Lifestyle Restrictions

• No smoking for two weeks before or after surgery.
• No hair appointments for 2 weeks, no perms for 4 weeks.
• No facials for 6 weeks.

Medication Restrictions

• No Motrin, aspirin or anti-inflammatory remedies for two weeks before or after surgery.
• No gingko, ginseng, garlic supplement or high doses of Vitamin E for two weeks before or after surgery.

It is very important to take antibiotics and pain medicine as recommended.