What can I do to reduce the pain? When can I take aspirin or ibuprofen after surgery? What can I do to reduce the swelling? Will there be any bandages or dressings? When can I shower after surgery? When can I apply makeup after surgery? How long must I be off work? When can I work out after laser treatments ? When can I have a massage? Can I use a heating pad? When can I suntan after surgery? When will I see the final result of the surgery? What should I do if I have questions? When do I come back to the office for aftercare? All of us at the Bashioum Cosmetic Surgery center are proud of the postoperative care of our patients. We want you to have the very best surgical result possible! We are here for you. If you have any questions of any kind, please call us. It is our pleasure to help you through your convalescence. It is important that you follow these aftercare instructions. They have been developed to reduce your risk of complications and they will help with the postoperative healing. Working together we will succeed in our goal for you! What can I do to reduce the pain? Patients experience little or no pain after laser treatments. Usually this is minimal and passes within a few hours. Ice packs also help with pain and swelling. When applying the ice bags make sure that there is a small amount of water in with the ice at all times. Your skin should feel cool to the touch. Do not use frozen gel packs. When can I take aspirin or ibuprofen after surgery? Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen containing products (Advil, Alka-Seltzer, Anacin, Ascriptin, Bayer Aspirin, BC, Bufferin, Cheracol Capsules, Cope, Coricidin, Darvon Compound, Dristan, Empirin or Empirin Compound, Excedrin, Fiorinol, Midol, Motrin, Percodan, Pepto-Bismol, Sine-Aid, Sine-Off, Stendin, Triminicin, Vanquish) for two days after your surgery. What can I do to reduce the swelling? Swelling is a normal part of laser treatments. Swelling will involve the treated areas and the surrounding tissues. Elevate the treated area above the level of your heart. Applying ice will also help. When applying the ice bags make sure that there is a small amount of water in with the ice at all times. Your skin should feel cool to the touch. Do not use frozen gel packs. Will there be any bandages or dressings? Plastic sandwich wrap (Handiwrap) is all that is necessary for the first few days. This is placed over a layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Add to the petroleum jelly four times a day and whenever any drying of the crust is observed. This keeps the skin moist and it aids in healing. Usually this is only necessary for two to three days. Be careful not to get the petroleum jelly in your eyes. When can I shower after surgery? You may shower the day after your surgery. Wash the treated areas very gently. You do not need to remove all the petroleum jelly (Vaseline). You may use the antibacterial soap that you used before your surgery. Immediately after you shower, place a layer of petroleum jelly covered with Handiwrap. Do not take a bath or swim for one week. When can I apply makeup after surgery? Makeup can be applied once the skin has healed, usually three days. Be very careful in application and removal because the skin surface is fragile. How long must I be off work? You can return to work immediately after your laser treatments. When can I work out after laser treatments ? Generally, you can go back to working out immediately after laser teatments. Avoid contact sports for six weeks. A balance of rest and reduced activity will speed up your recovery. When can I have a massage? Body massage is very effective in relaxation. However, it cannot be done while the skin is healing. All therapeutic massage treatments of the treated areas must be discontinued for at least three weeks. Can I use a heating pad? Do not use a heating pad on the treated areas for a full six months after your surgery. It is will not be possible for you to judge the temperature of the skin. This can lead to burns and terrible scarring. When can I suntan after surgery? Sun tanning damages your skin. It leads to wrinkling, discoloration, and superficial growths. It can also lead to serious skin cancer. For these reasons, I recommend that you use sun block with an SPF number of 15 or greater at all times. A physical broad-spectrum sun block works best. If you are exposed to the sun, I recommend that you protect the treated areas for six months with sun block and clothing. Better yet, stay in the shade where it's cooler! When will I see the final result of the surgery? Usually you will appreciate the final improvement in six weeks. Further treatments can be planned at that time. What should I do if I have questions? I care about you and your concerns very much. Please call me at any time you have any questions about your laser treatments. Call if you have any excessive swelling, bleeding, soreness, fever, chills redness, acne, cold sores, fever blisters, or unusual wound drainage. It is particularly important if symptoms are present in only one area. During office hours (8:30AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday), call 952.449.4900 and we will answer your questions. After hours, first call me at my home number, 952.473.XXXX. If there is no answer, call my office at 952.449.4900 and leave a message. I will be paged. You may also reach me on my mobile phone at 612.803.XXXX When do I come back to the office for aftercare? Please call the office between 8:30AM and 4:30PM during the workweek to make an arrangements for me to see you the day after your surgery. Please call for appointments for follow up visits at one week, six weeks, six months, and twelve months. The reason for this extended care is because it takes six months to one year for complete healing to occur. It would be my pleasure to see you at any time to answer any questions about your laser treatments or any other cosmetic surgery that you read or hear about. There are no charges for any of your aftercare office visits. © Copyright 1998 Bashioum Cosmetic Surgery Center, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.