Dr. Greg Morrison, M.D.

5969 E. Broad Street, Suite 302
Columbus, OH 43213
Office Phone: 614-864-9547
Fax: 614-864-5649

After-Surgery Events

Disclaimer:The following clinical notes by Dr. Morrison should not be understood as presenting all possible risks, complications and outcomes for any operation performed. Your post-operative experience could be quite different from someone else undergoing the same procedure. Rather, these notes are intended as partial information for patients considering a particular procedure. These clinical notes cannot substitute for a routine, pre-operative consultation with Dr. Greg Morrison and post-operative care with follow-up visits after surgery. In other words, the information contained here may help to answer the question "What should I expect right after surgery?"

For a more complete list of operative risks and possible complications please click on the bar at left titled "New Patient Forms/Procedure Consents".

Managing Your Pain download file

Dressing Change Around a Drain (Drain Care) download file

Incisions and Scars in Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery download file

In general, the following advice pertains to all patients undergoing the following operations.

Bathing such as shower is usually allowed after 24 hours with some exceptions.
Dissolvable sutures are usually used, although in some instances skin staples and/or non-dissolvable sutures may be used.
All patients should understand that there will be temporary restriction of daily activities following operation. In other words, no exercising or strenuous activity.
All patients must understand that good plastic surgery always leaves scarring, some of that scarring "good", and some of that scarring "not so good".
Stop oral intake of "baby" or regular aspirin before operation.
The first post-operative visit after operation is usually within the first week. The second post-operative visit usually occurs one to three weeks later. Subsequent post-operative visits may occur more frequently during this period as indicated.
Usually larger operations require periodic office visits for the first two to three months following surgery.
All post-operative visits for six months following an operation are included with the pre-operative self-pay (cosmetic) fee, and only for three (3) months for insurance-covered cases

Procedure .After-Surgery Events

Facelift/Neck Lift

Recovery time takes 4 to 6 weeks.
Pain is usually mild-moderate for the first 48 hours
Bruising and skin tightness are common
Expect some loosening of the skin after 3 months
An occasional patient may experience the "blues", perhaps a crying spell or two.
Drains are left in place for 24 to 36 hours
Procedure may be as an outpatient or with an overnight stay in the hospital
Complications include hematoma, skin loss behind ears, and scarring.
Consider reading H. Bransford's book, Welcome to Your Facelift

Brow Lift/Blepharoplasty

Contact lens may again be used 1 to 2 weeks post op.
Expect bruising, even "black eyes" within several days of the oparation
This bruising gets better in 2 weeks time and may be minimized by cold compresses for the first 48 hours and warm soaks after 48 hours. One way to do cold compresses is to put frozen peas in a baggy and place that over the face.
Special antibiotic ointment is used for the first 2 days post-op.
Expect eyelids to be swollen shut in the morning on days 2, 3, and possibly 4
Pain is usually minimal.

Cosmetic Rhinoplasty

Bruising, swelling and "black eyes" are possible, which may take up to 2 weeks to resolve.
There is a marked immediately noticeable change, with additional changes in the nasal structure over the next 6 months.
Overnight there is nasal gauze packing, which is removed by the patient in the morning.
Nation-wide, there is a 10% re-operation rate for revision in rhinoplasty.
Expect nasal splint to be in place over the nose for 5 to 7 days post op.

Otoplasty (Ear Pinning)

Pain is usually mild to moderate for the first 48 hours.
Patients are instructed to wear terry cloth or similar headband at night for the first 2 weeks.
Scarring from this operation is usually minimal.
Expect some mild asymmetry in final repair result.
There is restriction of certain sports, especially contact sports, for the first 4 weeks.

Gynecomastia

Pain is usually mild to moderate for the first 48 hours.
Patients must wear a compression cloth vest for 3 weeks after operation except when bathing.
Drains remain in place for 3 to 5 days. (See "Drain Care" in this section.)
Most common complication - hematoma or blood collection.
Bruising and swelling are common.
Scarring is usually minimal.
There is restriction of contact sports, vigorous activity for up to 3 weeks following operation.
First shower is allowed after the first post-operative visit.
No driving cars for the first 72 hours.

Breast Reduction

Please see additional information by clicking left on "New Patient Forms/Procedure Consents" and then selecting "Breast Reduction Informed Consent".
Pain is usually mild to moderate with a few reporting no pain at all.
Most complain of fatigue which can be quite significant during first week but improves.
A snug bra is recommended day and night for 2 weeks except for showering.
"The Blues" or a crying spell is possible during the post-operative period.
Expect some skin openings along incisions within the first 6 weeks following operation. These eventually heal.
Most patients report prompt alleviation of shoulder, back and neck pains immediately following operation.
The breasts often don't really begin to look like normal breasts until 2 to 3 months after operation when skin relaxation begins to occur.

If skin openings (ulcers) occur, then I instruct patients to daily apply over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic ointment (Neosporin, Neosporin Plus, Polysporin, Triple-Antibiotic or Bacitracin Zinc). Apply a spot of ointment onto a gauze pad, then apply the gauze pad so that the ointment makes contact with the ulcer. Tape may be used to hold the gauze but usually the bra alone is enough. Shower and bathe as before. Expect more daily drainage until ulcer(s) heals. (For patients who are or become allergic to Neomycin/Neosporin, I recommend pure Bacitracin Zinc Ointment.)

Minor itching of the breast skin is common and may be eased by oral intake of Benadryl and/or daily application of (generic) 0.5% or 1% hydrocortisone ointment or cream which is OTC. Do not place ointment directly onto incisions. Apply only to neighboring breast skin daily as needed.

Breast Augmentation (Augment)

Pain is mild to moderate for the first 72 hours, then improves.
Some patients find cold compress application comforting during the first 48 hours
Expect tightness across the chest which eases in 2 to 4 weeks.
Wearing a bra during the first 1 to 2 weeks is optional. Wear it if you like it, don't if you don't like.
In 2 to 6 months, when relaxation occurs, there is softening of shape and outline with a more natural look.
There is restriction of exercise for 3 weeks after the operation.
Most patients usually return to non-strenuous jobs within 1 week following operation.
Most notable possible complication - hematoma (fluid collection), infection.

Breast Augmentation After Care

Diet

Start with a very light diet - mainly liquids, then progress to a regular diet.

Activity

Take it easy the day of surgery and do not schedule any significant activities for the next few days.
Weight lifting, jogging, high impact aerobic and vigorous arm activities should be avoided for 3 weeks.
Deep breathing exercises should be done every 2 hours during the waking hours for the first 48 hours.
Keep your head elevated as much as possible for the first 24 hours, i.e., rest in a reclining chair or sleep with 2 pillows in bed.

Medication

DO NOT TAKE ANY PRODUCTS CONTAINING ASPIRIN
Take your prescribed medications as needed and directed.
1-2 tablets Regular or Extra-Strength Tylenol may be taken every 4 hours as needed for lesser pain.

Wound Care

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT SMOKE.
If you were placed in a surgical bra after surgery, you may remove it the next day and shower, washing gently over the incisions and pat dry. Leave the tapes over the incision(s) in place if present.
If you were placed in an ace-wrap after surgery, your physician will remove this in the office on your first post-operative (no underwire) bra most of the time. However, if wearing a bra soon after is uncomfortable do not wear the bra.
Use crushed ice packs around the breast area for the first 48 hours for comfort and to reduce swelling.

Problems

Call your physician for any problems or concerns. Observe and call for any of the following:

Temperature above 101
Excessive pain
Excessive drainage
A change in the appearance of your breasts (if one breast suddenly appears larger, more painful, or if excessive bruising or hardness is noted).

General Anesthesia

You may have a dry throat. Throat lozenges and/or gargles may give relief.
Your may have muscle soreness or a jittery feeling for 24-48 hours.

Follow-up

Call your physician's office (864-9547) to schedule your post-operative appointment (unless previously scheduled).

Breast Lift

See Breast Augment notes above, especially if implants are to be combined with breast lift procedure.
Expect some small amount of skin incisional opening within the first 4 weeks after operation, which heals.
Pain is usually mild unless implant is used, in which case moderate pain for the first 48 hours.

Lower Body Lift

The pain for this operation is mild to moderate at first.
Drains remain left in for 3 weeks. (See "Drain Care" in this section.)
There is bruising, swelling and tightness.
Some skin suture line separation in common, which eventually heals.
Expect dramatic results immediately after operation
Scarring is inevitable
Expected time off work 4 to 6 weeks minimum
Expect some mild skin loosening or relapse months later.
A 2 to 3 night hospital stay must immediately follow operation.

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Expect tightness, bruising and swelling.
Pain is usually moderate at first.
A compression garment around the waist may provide comfort.
Drains are left in for 10 days. (See "Drain Care" in this section.)
Recovery time is 4 to 6 weeks.
Main complications are hematoma, skin necrosis and seroma (clear fluid accumulation)

Brachioplasty (Upper Arm Lift)

A diary of brachioplasty patient's experience available on request.
Expect tightness, swelling and bruising
Pain is usually mild.
Scarring is noticeable
There is restriction of activities for up to 3 weeks.

Medial Thigh Skin Reduction

Medial thigh lift and skin reduction can be satisfying in the end but in the initial healing stage (4 to 8 weeks) it can be a rather uncomfortable experience with moderate pain, especially when walking, and occasional skin incision openings, which eventually heal.
Scarring is noticeable.

Liposuction

Expect oozing from incisions during the first 24 hours (use absorbent pads in bed at night).
Pain is usually mild for first 24 hours.
Bruising and swelling is normal.
Don't expect to see much result until after 30 days at which time swelling begins to recede.
Mild asymmetry may occur.
There is restriction of strenuous activity for the first 10 days.
Patients may or may not be advised to wear a compression garment.
Expect skin numbness for 1 to 3 months after operation.
Note: Liposuction best done for patients less than 40 years of age unless skin tightening procedure is also planned.

Skin Cancer Operation

Oozing, bruising, pain and swelling and scarring happen after these operations.
For those operations involving the scalp and face, "black eyes" and eyelid swelling may occur during week 1.
Common complications include infection, hematoma, partial or total flap loss.

Skin Graft

Partial loss of skin graft is often common, although total healing usually occurs eventually.
Expect color changes with the graft at first looking purple-bluish, dark and eventually lightens in color over weeks.
100% "take" of the skin graft at first rarely happens yet healing will occur.
Scarring is common.
Most common complications - complete loss of skin graft, scarring, poor healing.
Dressings are usually changed every 2 to 3 days with the first dressing change taking place after a longer period of time.

Hand Surgery (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Release)

Pain is usually described as mild to moderate
There is temporary restriction of moderate activities
Swelling, bruising, mild stiffness of fingers often result and are temporary.
Rare re-occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome has been reported.
Professional physical therapy is rarely necessary
Application of mild heat after 48 hours is helpful to reduce swelling and pain
Time for recovery fully: 4 to 6 weeks, although lighter duty is often possible sooner.
Scarring is usually minimal.

5969 E. Broad Street, Suite 302
Columbus, OH 43213
Office Phone: 614-864-9547
Fax: 614-864-5649

Dr. Morrison's Practice Philosophy and Mission Statement

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