| Submental Lipectomy Discharge Instructions
Pain The numbness that you feel as a result of the local anesthesia will gradually go away in a few hours. After that time, you may have some pain. A prescription for pain may be given to you by your surgeon. This should be taken as directed; if it does not improve the pain, notify your surgeon. If the surgeon does not prescribe anything for pain, you may take a non prescription, non-aspirin pain medication (such as Tylenol or Motrin) which can be purchased at a drug store. Follow the directions on the label.
Surgical Site
To minimize the swelling and bruising that will occur, we recommend that you sit and sleep with your head elevated. You will need to wear the chin strap 24 hours a day for the next days. In days, you may remove the chin strap long enough to bathe. For the next days, when you shower or take a tub bath, protect the incision from water.
Diet
You may resume your normal diet after the procedure, but it is better to start with liquids, then soup and crackers, and gradually work up to your normal foods over the span of a day or so.
Follow-up visit
You will need to return to the clinic
on ______________
at ______________
Contingencies
Notify your surgeon if you have any of the following:
temperature greater than 101 degrees
a foul-smelling discharge from the incision or increasing redness or warmth at the incision.
significant or increasing bleeding (with some procedures, some bleeding or oozing is expected; however this should be minimal by the first day after surgery).
any other questions or problems.
You can reach your surgeon by calling the Plastic Surgery Clinic during duty hours at (202)782-6560; after duty hours, call the WRAMC emergency room at (202)782-1199. If you feel the problem requires urgent attention (such as severe bleeding), call for an ambulance to take you to the nearest emergency room. |