Facial Fat Transfer in Philadelphia

These post-operative care instructions are for patients who have undergone fat transfer procedures. Following these guidelines is essential for achieving the best results. Patients should contact Dr. Ho or her staff if they have any questions or concerns regarding these instructions.

Activity Instructions and Restrictions:

• Encourage early walking after surgery to prevent blood clots and aid recovery.
• Walk to and from the bathroom on the evening of surgery and take 20-minute walks at least three times a day starting the day after surgery.
• Avoid heavy lifting, straining, strenuous activity, and prolonged bending for two weeks.
• Use an over-the-counter stool softener like Colace to prevent constipation and straining.
• Refrain from household cleaning for two weeks.
• Avoid head or neck turning exercises and swimming for four weeks.
• Do not resume CPAP use without clearance from Dr. Ho or an ENT surgeon.

Head Positioning:

• Maintain a 30-degree head elevation during the first week to reduce swelling.
• Sleeping in a recliner or with two pillows behind your head helps maintain the appropriate head elevation.

Cool Compresses:

• Apply cool compresses (ice packs or frozen vegetables) to the face and neck, especially in areas with swelling and bruising, for 20 minutes every few hours during the first 48 hours after surgery.
• This helps reduce swelling, bruising, and discomfort.
• Avoid using anything wet or damp.

Compression Dressing:

• A compression dressing is applied over fat harvest sites in the abdomen or thigh to minimize swelling and catch drainage.
• Keep the dressing in place for the first 24 hours and change it as needed.
• Remove the dressing when the fat harvest sites are healed and no longer draining.
• If you experience worsening focal pain or swelling with the dressing on, contact Dr. Ho’s office immediately.

Diet:

• Resume drinking and eating as tolerated after surgery.
• Begin with gentle, bland foods that won’t upset the stomach, such as plain crackers, soups, noodles, mashed potatoes, pudding, applesauce, Jell-O, popsicles, and clear, non-diet soda.
• A low-salt diet helps minimize post-operative swelling.
• Contact Dr. Ho’s office if you have poor oral intake following surgery.

Bathing:

• You may resume showering the day after surgery.
• Allow water to run over your face and fat harvest site 24 hours after surgery, but avoid scrubbing or soaking incisions.
• Gently pat incisions dry after showering.
• Remove the compression dressing before showering and replace it as needed.

Incision Care:

• You have injection sites in your face and incision lines at fat harvest sites in the abdomen or thigh.
• Apply Vaseline to incisions with a Q-tip three times daily.
• Alastin Skin Nectar ointment may be applied to facial injection areas three times daily to minimize bruising and swelling.
• Follow sun protection precautions for the face and incision sites, including SPF 35 sunscreen for the first 6 to 12 months after surgery.

Medications:

• Take prescribed antibiotics and narcotic pain medication as directed starting the evening after surgery.
• Complete the full antibiotic prescription.
• Eat before taking medication to prevent stomach upset.
• Report any nausea or vomiting caused by medication.
• Over-the-counter Tylenol can be taken for mild pain, but avoid NSAIDs for the first two weeks to prevent bleeding.
• Contact Dr. Ho’s office if pain is not well-controlled or if focal pain and swelling worsen.

Self Care:

• You may resume wearing eyeglasses the day after surgery, taking care to avoid pressure on areas with fat injections.
• Contact lenses may be resumed the day after surgery, but if eyelid surgery was performed, wait one week before using them.
• Wear clothing that fastens in the front or back instead of garments that must be pulled over the head for two weeks.
• Comfortable clothing should be worn over the abdomen or thigh harvest site for two weeks.

Driving Restrictions:

• Avoid driving during the first week after surgery, especially while taking narcotic pain medication.

Work and Social Activities:

• Return to work or social activities depends on the level of physical activity and public contact in your daily life.
• Most patients can resume these activities as soon as seven days after surgery, taking into account sutures and medication use.

For Out-of-Town Patients:

• If you traveled for surgery, stay in town for 7-10 days, arranging accommodations nearby.

Follow-up Appointments:

• The first follow-up with Dr. Ho is scheduled 1-2 weeks after surgery for site checks and wound care instructions.
• Follow-up again one month after surgery for re-evaluation, or sooner if additional procedures were performed.

What to Expect After Surgery:

• Every fat transfer procedure is unique, and the extent of swelling, bruising, and tenderness varies.
• Immediate improvement in facial appearance is common.
• Dr. Ho will monitor healing and patient satisfaction through regular follow-up appointments.

Symptoms Requiring Contact with Dr. Ho’s Office:

• Fever (temperature over 100.4 degrees F)
• Increased discomfort or pain
• Signs of infection (Redness, warmth, swelling, or foul-smelling drainage at wound sites)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Drainage (including bleeding) from wound sites
• Open areas along wound sites
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain

BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS