Plastic Surgery Instructions (Zygomatic Arch Fracture):
-Avoid any direct pressure to the face on the side of your fracture
-Wear your protective dressing (shield) for 48hrs and then you may remove it to shower. Place the shield back over the fracture site at night before bed and when you leave the house or are in a situation where there’s a chance someone could bump your face for 1 week.
-Ok to shower/wash your face in 48 hrs.
-Eat a soft diet for the first 1-2 weeks after surgery
-No strenuous physical activity for 10 days after surgery. No contact sports for 2-3 weeks.
-Take your pain medication with food (a few crackers are ok) to help prevent nausea.
-Pain medications can cause constipation. Take a gentle over the counter laxative (Milk of Magnesia, Colace, or Dulcolax) if you feel constipated.
-Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen for at least 2 weeks following surgery unless specifically instructed. This can lead to bleeding issues.
-Smoking causes multiple wound healing complications. It is very important that you do not smoke, and you are not around people that smoke for at least 6 weeks after surgery. Secondhand smoke is just as harmful as if you were to smoke.
-Be sure to walk at least 300 yards daily. This can be broken up in multiple short trips. It is OK and recommended that you walk more than the minimum of 300 yards. This will help prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT’s/Blood Clots) and Pulmonary Embolisms (PE’s).
-All incisions will be extremely sensitive during the healing phase. Direct sun is to be avoided. When going out, even on cloudy days, use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater for at least 1 year that has both UVA and UVB protection.
-Call the office to schedule a follow-up appointment for approximately 1-2 weeks after surgery.