Two Weeks Before Surgery:
• Confirm surgery date with our office.
• Arrange for a place to stay if you are not from the San Diego area.
• You must have a companion for the first 24 hours after surgery. We must know their name and phone number.
• If you are 40 years of age it is advisable to have an EKG, chest x-ray, and complete physical by your private physician at least some time during the preceding twelve months.
• Review the list of aspirin containing compounds and do not take any for at least two weeks prior to surgery.
• Try to stop smoking four weeks before surgery. One Week Before Surgery: - Be sure your lab tests are complete.
• Do not expose your face to the sun. - Arrange for any facial treatments or hair coloring at this time.

Day Before Surgery:
• Wash face well, brush teeth, no makeup on eyes or face.
• Wear a buttoned shirt, flat shoes. No pull over clothing or pantyhose.
• Leave at home: contact lenses, jewelry, money, handbags. We will not be responsible.
• Please be on time.
• Leave name, phone and location where you will be the evening following surgery with the receptionist or nurse. - We will discuss your post-operative care with your companion.

At Home:
• Rest with your head elevated on 2-3 pillows.
• You may get out of bed to go to the bathroom with assistance.
• It is normal to be drowsy, but try to eat a light, soft meal the evening following surgery.
• Swelling, bruising and tightness around the chin area are normal complaints.
• Take medication only as instructed.
• If there is excessive swelling, bruising or pain, call the office.

Follow-Up Care:
• Eat before coming to the office for the postoperative visits.
• The bandage will be changed and the chin examined.
• Sutures will be removed about one week after surgery.
• Eat a relatively soft diet and avoid excessive talking and hard chewing for 7-10 days.
• Avoid trauma to the chin area.
• Your chin may be swollen and discolored for 2-3 weeks.

Healing Care:
• Numbness, swelling, tingling, itching, discoloration, bumpiness, hardness, crusting and tightness around the chin incision are normal complaints and should go away with full healing.
• Full healing takes a number of months and a final check-up is advisable 6-12 months after surgery.

*Please call for any questions or concerns you may have following the surgery.