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CICATRIX * OPTIMA 1720 HOWARD AVE, SUITE 364 WINDSOR, ON N8X 5A6 TEL/FAX: 519.971 0971 |
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Post-Operative Instructions Wound Care Keep all bandages dry and do not remove them until advised by our office.
Stitches are dissolving and do not need to be removed.
You may find that you become dizzy or lightheaded when changing position. In addition you will be sore. You should move slowly and with caution until this feeling passes.
You may apply ice (or a small package of frozen peas or carrots) to the head and neck area intermittently for comfort and to decrease the bruising and swelling. Do not apply the ice directly on to the operative site and do not remove your head dressing in order to apply the ice.
Bruising, discolouration, and swelling are to be expected. This will mostly disappear in approximately 2-4 weeks. Skin tightening begins about 4 weeks after surgery and continue slowly up to one year. A feeling of tightness in your ears may persist for several weeks. This is a natural result of cartilage folding and will resolve with time.
You may experience some numbness and tingling in the skin over the areas that have been operated on. This will also resolve with time.
Medications:
You should report any severe persistent pain in the early post operative period of 12 to 24 hours. This may be due to a collection of blood behind the ears and it is important to evacuate these so as not to result in any cartilage damage.
Getting your life back to normal A dressing change will be done in the first 4-5 days. At this time your incisions will be inspected. You will be able to shampoo your hair. The action of the shower water over your incision will keep it clean and studies show that people who shower often post operatively have a significantly decreased infection rate. However, do not soak your incisions. After you shower we ask that you apply a thin layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor to your incisions using either a clean finger or a Q-tip. Do not share tubes or containers with others.
By and large, you should let your body be your guide. If it doesn’t hurt, go do it. If it does hurt, stop. Avoid bending over during the first two weeks.
Drink regularly and as much as you can. It is important that you stay well hydrated. In addition to a healthy diet, you need to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day for the first week following your surgery. Do not drink any alcohol during the first two weeks.
Do not smoke for at least 6 weeks after surgery.
It is important to avoid any physical trauma to your ears for the first 6 weeks. Those sports involving physical contact should be avoided. We ask that you wear a headband continuously for the first 4 weeks so that inadvertent folding of your ears does not occur on your pillow.
You can call us with any further questions you may have. |
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© cicatrix optima 2008 |