Post-operative Instructions for Our Patients

After surgery at Minneapolis Plastic Surgery’s on-site, nationally-accredited (QUAD A, formerly AAAASF) surgical center, each patient and caregiver is given detailed teaching, instruction in specific care, and written information, in addition to written medication instructions to supplement those on the actual medication bottle. Each plastic surgeon sees each patient post-operatively on numerous occasions, often starting the next day after surgery, to review healing progress, update recommendations for the smoothest and safest recovery, and in general to achieve the best result without the patient wondering “What happens next?” Extensive post-op care is included in the fees paid for surgery; there is no additional charge or “copay.”

Post-operative instructions are specific to each procedure and individualized for each patient. If you have lost your post-operative information, general instructions can be found in the PDF files located below. If you have any questions about your recovery, please contact our office. Our doctors and nursing staff will do everything possible to help you have a comfortable and smooth recovery period.

Basic post-operative instructions for all procedures

In general, you should follow the basic after-surgery instructions below:

• Use your medications as prescribed. If you have an allergy or sensitivity, let us know.
• It is necessary that you avoid strenuous activity, as blood pressure or pulse elevation can cause bleeding to occur.
• If you have had facial surgery, sleep with your head elevated above heart level for 3 weeks. This will help decrease soreness, bruising, and swelling.  Sofa cushion under mattress is better than an extra pillow.
• You may use an ice pack for the first 24-48 hours after surgery. Use a dry cloth below the ice bag to prevent tissue damage from freezing.  No ice for facelifts, breast lifts, tummy tucks, or nipple skin grafts.
• You may drink liquids when you arrive home. Later, if you are not nauseated, you may have a light meal. Try to avoid taking medications on an empty stomach, especially pain pills and antibiotics.
• Stay hydrated and flex calf muscles to reduce risk of blood clots. Walking is good, but not exercising.
• Smoking (including second-hand smoke), or use of nicotine in any form is not good for circulation in healing tissues, and can lead to dead skin or tissue necrosis. Blood clot risk increases as well.
• Keep any bandages, dressings, or compression garments on and intact until you see your doctor. DO NOT REMOVE liposuction garments or nasal splints for any reason!
• DO NOT use Aspirin, ibuprofen, or Aleve for 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery to reduce risk of bleeding/re-operation.
• DO NOT drink any alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, for five days or while taking pain medication. Alcohol, medications, and/or anesthetic drugs may interfere with good judgment.
• DO NOT drive a car or operate machinery for the next 48 hours or while using pain pills.
• DO NOT lift any objects greater than five pounds.
• Call 763-545-0443 if you have unusual swelling, bleeding, or any concern before your next follow-up appointment.

Post-Op PDF Links:

• Post-op Medication Instructions (General–does not replace specific ones given to you)
• Abdominoplasty & Lower Body Lift After Care
• Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery) After Care
• Chemical Peel, Dermabrasion, Laser (After Care Supplement)
• Liposuction After Care
• Laser Resurfacing After Care
• Facelift & Forehead lift AfterCare
• Breast Surgery After Care
• Blepharoplasty After Care
• BOTOX Education Sheet & Botox post-treatment Instructions
• Calf augmentation aftercare
• Drain care
• Drainage Record Sheet
• Transgender mastectomies aftercare
• Upper arm lift (Brachioplasty) aftercare

Contact Our Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota Surgeons for Plastic Surgery Information

As one of the best and most respected cosmetic surgery practices in the Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota area, Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, LTD. would be happy to be a resource for you. Contact our surgeons, Dr. Tholen and Dr. Gervais, to schedule a complimentary consultation or to learn more about our procedures.

Because of the high demand for free consultations with our plastic surgeons, our staff will ask for a credit card number in order to schedule a consultation; there is no charge whatsoever for appointments that are kept–you will be charged $100 only if you fail to keep a scheduled appointment, or fail to cancel at least 48 hours in advance of your appointment time–for Monday appointments, you must cancel no later than noon on the previous Thursday.