After Your Surgery

Dr. Follmar and the office staff will give you specific instructions to follow after surgery is completed.  You can expect some bleeding for a while, and you will be asked to bite gently on gauze for a few hours after surgery to allow a blood clot to form at the surgery site(s).  Even a little blood can seem like a lot to you, so don't be alarmed by a gentle oozing of blood for a few hours after surgery.  However, if bleeding is excessive after you return home, contact the office immediately for instructions.

Ice packs applied to the face following surgery will help to control swelling, but expect some swelling to occur during the normal heeling process.  This swelling may increase for the first 48 to 72 hours and then begin to subside.  There may be some discoloration of the skin during heeling, first black-blue in color, then turning yellow and disappearing within a few days.  There may also be discomfort for several days following the surgery, but comfort should improve daily.  Dr. Follmar will prescribe the appropriate medication for your needs.

If patients have any questions or need reassurance regarding their surgery, we encourage them to come in to the office for a post-operative observation.