The principal reason for doing surgery is to surgery is usually done under anesthesia.

Two Weeks Before Surgery:
1. Confirm surgery date with our office.
2. Arrange for a place to stay if you are not from the San Diego area.
3. If you are over 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 12 months.
4. Review the list of aspirin containing compounds and do not take any for at least two weeks prior to surgery.
5. Try to stop smoking 4 weeks before surgery.

One Week Before Surgery:
1. Be sure your lab tests are complete.
2. Do not expose your face to the sun.
3. Arrange for any facial treatments or hair coloring at this time.

Pre-operative instructions:
1. Take nothing by mouth after midnight the day before surgery.
2. If on daily medications, take in a.m. with cup of water.
3. Wash face thoroughly with Phisohex the night before and the morning of surgery. Wear no make-up.
4. Arrange for transportation home and also for someone to stay with you for 2 days after surgery.
5. Dark glasses may be worn and are helpful after surgery.
6. Prior to operation you will be given some medication to relax you.
7. The operation will take approximately two hours.

Post-operative instructions:
1. Do not take medications containing aspirin.
2. Elevate head on bed with two pillows.
3. Apply ice chips in plastic sandwich bags over the operative area to reduce swelling and discoloration.
4. Clean crusts with Qtips and hydrogen peroxide. Then apply ophthalmic ointment to incisions (twice daily).
5. Some black and blue discoloration together with swelling will occur with this operation. The majority of the patients will have this disappear completely within two weeks or before. Occasionally this will persist longer in patients who heal slowly and thus prolong the convalescent period. Most patients return to work from one to two weeks after the operation.
6. Occasionally small whiteheads will occur along the incision lines from cutting across the oil glands of the skin. These generally disappear with time and any that persist are easily shelled out at the office. They do not complicate the healing or the results.
7. Rarely infections (pain, redness and excess swelling) or blood clot under the skin (hematoma; swelling, pain and black discoloration) may develop after surgery. We will be prepared to treat these complications should they occur.
8. The face may be washed immediately after surgery using a damp washcloth; however, the area of incision is not to be washed until one week post surgery. At that time the entire face may be washed in the usual manner.
9. The hair may be gently washed 7 days after surgery. You may bathe two days after the operation.
10. The areas of incision will be red for several months. They will gradually fade to a white line, hardly noticeable. The incision may be covered with make-up two weeks after surgery.
11. During the post-operative period you will be given medication for pain and also some sedatives to help you rest better. Occasionally antibiotics are used (make sure you are not taking any antibiotics to which you are allergic).
12. The final results will be evident 3-6 months after surgery. Please arrange to have your post-operative pictures taken 6 months after post-op.