• STOP SMOKING: Smoking reduces circulation to the skin and impedes healing. It is best to avoid smoking, second hand smoke and cigarette replacements, such as nicotine patches or gum, in the perioperative period. While you should ideally stop smoking for 2 weeks before and after your surgical procedure, YOU MUST NOT SMOKE FOR A MINIMUM OF 24 HOURS BEFORE AND 24 HOURS AFTER SURGERY.
• TAKE MULTIVITAMINS: Start taking multivitamins twice daily to improve your general health once you have scheduled your surgery.
• TAKE VITAMIN C: Start taking 500 mg of Vitamin C twice daily to promote healing.
• START TAKING AN IRON SUPPLEMENT: A good iron supplement, such as Feosol, is required starting one week before surgery and four weeks following surgery. Bowel movements may appear darker than usual as a result. Feosol is available without prescription.
• DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN: Stop taking medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen. Review the list of drugs containing aspirin and ibuprofen carefully. Such drugs can cause bleeding problems during and after surgery. Instead, use medications containing acetaminophen (such as Tylenol).
• LIMIT VITAMIN E: Limit your intake of Vitamin E to less than 400 mg per day.
• FILL YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS: You will be given prescriptions for medications. Please have them filled BEFORE the day of surgery and bring them with you.
• CONFIRM SURGERY TIME: We will call you to confirm the time of your surgery. If you are not going to be at home or at your office, please call us to confirm at +1 (619) 598 – 2517.
• PRESCRIPTIONS: Make sure that you have filled the prescriptions you were given and set the medications out to bring with you tomorrow.
• CLEANSING: The night before surgery, shower and wash the surgical areas with an antibacterial soap such as Dial, Safeguard, pHisoHex, or Phase III.
• EATING AND DRINKING: Do not eat or drink anything after 12:00 midnight except for a small amount of water to rinse your mouth while brushing your teeth.
• SPECIAL INFORMATION: Do not eat or drink anything! If you take a daily medication, you may take it with a sip of water in the early morning.
• ORAL HYGIENE: You may brush your teeth but do not swallow the water.
• CLEANSING: Shower and wash the surgical areas again with an antibacterial soap such as Dial, Safeguard, pHisoHex, or Phase Ill.
• MAKE-UP: Please do not wear moisturizers, creams, lotions, or makeup.
• CLOTHING: Wear only comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that does not go over your head. NO TIGHT PANTS. Remove hairpins, wigs, and jewelry. Please do not bring valuables with you.
• CHECK IN/PREPARATION: Surgery Time:
• You should plan to arrive 45 minutes earlier than your scheduled surgery time. Patients less than 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. When you arrive at our office on the day of your surgery, give the receptionist the phone number of the pharmacy you would like us to call for any special medications our surgeon and associates might prescribe.
• CARETAKER: Someone must spend the first night after surgery with you.

ACTIVITY

1. The first week you will need to rest frequently. You need to walk around the house every 2 hours as tolerated. Avoid stairs if possible.
2. For the first week post-op, sleep on your back with your head elevated. This will keep tension off your nose. Do not sleep face down or on your side.
3. Avoid picking anything up greater than 1-2 lbs the first two weeks. The doctor will advise you when you can start lifting anything heavier.
4. Do not exercise until the doctor says you may do so.
5. Do not bend over try keeping your head back as it may cause bleeding.
6. You may not drive the first week or while you are taking pain medication. After that it will depend on your ability to handle a car without causing any discomfort. You should wear your seatbelt at all times.
7. Do not engage in sexual activity at least 2-3 weeks after your surgery.
8. No smoking. This will interfere with your healing.

DIET

1. Eat light the first 24 hours, clear liquids advancing to a regular diet as tolerated.
2. If you have persistent nausea stick to a bland diet until it subsides.
3. The pain medicine may cause constipation. Drink plenty of fluids. You may take any over the counter laxatives or stool softeners as needed.

DRESSINGS

1. You will have tape and/or a splint for 1 week.
2. It is normal to have numbness over the surgical sites for several weeks or months.
3. Do not use a heating pad or ice around the surgical sites. It could cause a burn.
4. You may shower the first week avoiding your face, as it may cause the splint to fall off. The splint will be removed at first post-op visit.
5. It is normal to see small amounts of dried bloody drainage on the nose. You may put Vaseline on edge of nostril with a Q-tip. Do not poke or touch inside the nose. Do not pick at scabs or crusts.
6. You will have a gauze under your nose that you may change as necessary.

MEDICATIONS

1. Take your antibiotic until it is completed. Antibiotic should be taken with food at each dose.
2. If the pain medication is a narcotic it should be taken as prescribed. Do not take any Tylenol while on pain medication. The medication we prescribe may already have Tylenol in it.
3. Do not drink alcohol or drive a car while taking pain medication.
4. The pain medication may cause nausea and should be taken with food at each dose.
5. You may resume your regular medication after your surgery except for Vitamin E, Fish oil and Aspirin (wait at least 5 days post-op).
6. If you take aspirin or coumadin check with the doctor to see when you may resume them.

CALL THE OFFICE IF YOU HAVE:

1. A temperature greater than 101.5 degrees.
2. Excessive bleeding from the incision.
3. A sudden increase in drainage, pain, or swelling around the incision site or the surrounding area.
4. If you have persistent vomiting.