Adult Instructions

Instructions for Adults who have had Facial Lacerations Repaired in the Emergency Department:

1.Keep the head of your bed elevated on an extra pillow for the next two nights.

2.Light activities for the next two days are permissible. You may go to school or engage in “light play.” No gym. No “rough-housing.” You may take care of household activities, shopping, etc. If you work at a desk, working is permissible at your job.

3.If you have a job which requires bending over, heavy lifting, or is in a “dirty” area (e.g., construction), you should refrain from work for the next 24 to 48 hours. No bending over or heavy lifting for the next two days.

4.If there is a dressing, keep it on and dry. If it should fall off, don’t worry.

5.If there is no dressing, you may cleanse the wound with peroxide twice daily. This should be followed by an application of a thick layer of Bacitracin ointment.

6.Cool liquids should be taken for the next 24 hours (jello, ice cream, juice); then, cool soft foods only. NO excessive chewing.

7.If there is a wound on the lips or in the mouth, use no straws, toothbrushes or spoons near the wound for 48 hours. You may rinse your mouth with Hydrogen Peroxide + Scope (1:1 solution) mouthwash in lieu of brushing your teeth.

8.NO SMOKING. Smoking has an adverse effect on wound healing and may, in addition, increase the risk of bleeding.

9.Your first office visit will be scheduled during the next 2-7 days. If wound healing permits, some or all of the stitches may be removed during that visit.

10. If anything worries you before your scheduled appointment, please call 201-871-9808 24 HOURS A DAY. DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL!

11.If there is discomfort, Tylenol may be used. DO NOT INJEST ASPIRIN, ASPIRIN-CONTAINING 
PRODUCTS OR IBUPROFEN (Do no use: Anacin, Excedrin, Nuprin, Motrin, Alka Seltzer, etc.) during the first week after your injury.

12.Swelling of the face is expected. Ice in a rubber glove or“baggie” may be intermittently applied gently to the wound. This may increase comfort but it will not eliminate swelling or “black and blue.”

13.If bleeding should occur from the wound, DO NOT PANIC. Use gauze to put pressure on the area FOR TEN FULL MINUTES. Keep your head elevated. If the bleeding does not stop, call 201-871-9808 0r 201-981-6165. Dr. Michelson will return your call.

14. YOUR RETURN OFFICE VISITS ARE AS IMPORTANT TO HEALING AND TO THE ULTIMATE APPEARANCE OF YOUR SCAR AS IS THE INITIAL PROCEDURE! Try to keep your appointments or re-schedule them as early as possible.

Adult Instructions Revised 10/22/09

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Children Instructions

Instructions: Children Who Have Facial Lacerations Repaired in the Emergency Department

1. Child may be sleeping more than usual during the next twelve hours because of medicines received in the Emergency Room.

2. Keep the head of the bed elevated on an extra pillow for the next two nights.

3. Light activities for the next two days are permissible. Child may go to school and engage in light play. No gym. No recess. No “rough-housing.” No heavy lifting. No sports. No swimming.

4. If there is a dressing, keep it on and dry Do not change the dressing unless you are told to do so by the Doctor. If the dressing should fall off, don’t worry.

5. If the dressing should fall off, or if there is no dressing, cleanse the wound with a Qtip and Hydrogen Peroxide twice a day. This should be followed by an application of a thin layer of Bacitracin ointment. 

6.If there are stitches in or near the lips or mouth, ONLY cool fluids should be eaten for 24 hours (Jello, ice cream, juice); thereafter, cool soft food ONLY (pasta, etc.). No excessive chewing.

7.If there is a wound or stitches in or near the lips or mouth, use no nipples, straws or spoons near the wound.

8. If the stitches are in a facial area that is distant from the mouth (e.g., forehead), soft foods are generally easier to tolerate during the first 24 hours. Thereafter, anything may be eaten.

9. Child may bathe. Every effort should be made, however, to keep the area of the wound away from the water. The wound area should NOT be immersed under water (as in a bathtub or swimming pool).

10. Your first office follow-up visit will be scheduled during the next 2 -7 days. Some or all of the stitches may be removed at that time if wound healing permits.

11. If anything worries you before your scheduled appointment, call the office 24 HOURS A DAY at 201-871-9808. We likewise respond to email as well as to text messages at 201-981-6165. We will return your call. NEVER HESITATE TO CALL! 

12. Tylenol may be used (dosage for age) if there is discomfort. DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN OR ASPIRIN-CONTAINING PRODUCTS (Anacin, Excedrin, Alka Seltzer, etc.) during the first week after injury.

13. Swelling of the face is expected. Ice in a rubber glove or plastic “baggie” may be applied gently and intermittently to the wound area. This may increase comfort but it will not eliminate swelling or“black and blue.”

14. If bleeding should occur, DO NOT PANIC. Keep the head elevated. Use clean gauze to put pressure on the area for TEN FULL MINUTES. For emergent matters, call Dr. Michelson’s cell phone, 201-981-6165.

15. Remember that FOLLOW-UP OFFICE VISITS ARE AS IMPORTANT TO HEALING AND TO THE ULTIMATE APPEARANCE OF THE SCAR AS WAS THE INITIAL PLASTIC SURGICAL PROCEDURE. Try to keep these appointments or re-schedule as quickly as possible.

Children Instructions: Revised 09/01/09

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Minor Facial Surgery

1.Keep the head of your bed elevated on an extra pillow for the next two nights.

2.Light activities for the next two days are permissible. You may go to school or engage in “light play.” No gym. No swimming. No “rough-housing.” You may take care of household activities, shopping, etc. If you work at a desk, working is permissible at your job.

3.If you have a job which requires much bending over, heavy lifting, or is in a “dirty” area (e.g., construction), you should refrain from work for the next 24 to 48 hours

4.If there is a dressing, keep it on and dry. If it should fall off, don’t worry.

5.If there is no dressing, you may cleanse the wound with Hydrogen Peroxide solution twice daily. This should be followed by an application of a thin layer of Bacitracin ointment.

6.Cool liquids should be consumed for the next 24 hours (jello, ice cream, juice); then, cool soft foods for 24 hours thereafter. NO excessive chewing.

7.If there is a wound in or near the mouth or lips, use no straws or spoons near the wound for 48 hours.

8.NO SMOKING. Smoking has an adverse effect on wound healing and may likewise increase the risk of bleeding.

9.Your first office visit will be scheduled during the next 2-7 days. If wound healing permits, some or all of the stitches may be removed at that time. Pathology reports, if pertinent, may likewise be available.

10.If anything worries you before your scheduled appointment, your may call the office 24 HOURS A DAY at 201-871-9808. For emergent matters, you may call 201-981-6165. DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL!

11.If there is discomfort, Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be used. DO NOT INGEST ASPIRIN, ASPIRIN-CONTAINING PRODUCTS or NSAIDs (Anacin, Excedrin, Nuprin, Motrin, Alka Seltzer, etc.) during the first week after your procedure. 

12.Swelling of the face is expected. Ice in a rubber glove or plastic “baggie” may be applied gently and intermittently to the wound area. This may increase comfort but will not eliminate swelling or “black and blue.”

13.If bleeding from the wound should occur, DO NOT PANIC. Put pressure on the area FOR TEN FULL MINUTES with gauze or clean washcloth. Keep your head elevated. If the bleeding does not stop, call us at 201-871-9808 or at 201-981-6165. 

14.YOUR RETURN OFFICE VISITS ARE AS IMPORTANT TO HEALING AND TO THE ULTIMATE APPEARANCE OF YOUR SCAR AS WAS THE INITIAL PROCEDURE. Try to keep these appointments or re-schedule as quickly as possible.
Minor Facial Surgery
Revised 5/7/09

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© 2010 Lorelle N. Michelson, M.D., F.A.C.S., LLC