Fat Transfer to the Face

Before Your Surgery

• Pick up your prescriptions well ahead of surgery. We send them to your pharmacy at least 2 weeks in advance. Open the bag well ahead of your surgery and make sure nothing is missing. Call us right away if your antibiotics or pain medication are missing.

• Purchase MiraLAX (stool softener), Tylenol (for pain), hypochlorous acid (HOCl) spray, and cool compress supplies.
• Starting 1 week before surgery, spray hypochlorous acid (HOCl) on your face 3 times a day as an antiseptic, keeping it out of your eyes.
• Get Arnica tablets. Start them the day after surgery and take as directed.
• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery, or anesthesia will cancel your surgery.
• Prepare your recovery area at home with fluids, appropriate foods, and assistance.
• Starting 2 weeks before surgery, avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, alcohol, and blood-thinning supplements. Check with your prescribing doctor before stopping any prescription blood thinner.
• Stop all nicotine (smoking, vaping, patches, gum) at least 2 weeks before surgery; 4 weeks is preferred. Nicotine keeps the transferred fat cells from taking and surviving.
• Moderate caffeine is fine; one cup of coffee or tea is acceptable.

The Night Before & Day of Surgery

• Take two showers: one the night before surgery and one the morning of surgery. Each time, wash your hair well and use antibacterial soap on your face and body.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing that buttons or zips in the front. Do not wear tights or leggings.
• Arrive without makeup, lotions, skin products, sunblock, deodorant, or hair products.
• Remove jewelry and piercings. Do not wear contact lenses; wear your glasses instead.
• Remove hair extensions, weaves, braids, and lash extensions if possible. They can harbor bacteria.
• Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you initially. You will not be released to an Uber or taxi.

The First Week

• Sleep on your back with your upper body elevated about 45° (recliner, wedge pillow, or several pillows).
• Use cool compresses or frozen peas wrapped in cloth for 15–20 minutes about every hour while awake for the first 3 days.
• Never place ice or frozen materials directly on the skin. Numb skin can get frostbite.
• Rest, hydrate, and walk gently and regularly to promote circulation. Rise slowly and have assistance at first; you may feel weak.
• Avoid bending, straining, or lifting.
• Eat fresh pineapple, including the center core, or drink cold-pressed pineapple juice. Its bromelain helps reduce swelling.
• You may shower 48 hours after surgery. Use lukewarm water and gentle pressure. Do not let the spray hit your incisions directly; let the water run over them gently. Do not rub your incisions; fresh incisions can open if handled roughly. Be careful of falling. No baths.
• Do not use combs or brushes around the incisions.

Medications

• Start your antibiotics the evening of surgery, once your nausea has passed and you can keep food down. Take them as prescribed until finished, and tell us if you have any reaction.
• Use your prescribed pain medication, or Tylenol if pain is mild. Do not take the two together; most prescription pain medications already contain Tylenol.
• Do not exceed 4,000 mg of Tylenol (acetaminophen) in 24 hours.
• Use your nausea medication as needed, if prescribed.
• Begin a stool softener when you start narcotic pain medication. Do not strain during bowel movements.
• Start your Medrol steroid dose pack the day after surgery: 6 pills on the first day, then 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 on the days that follow, until finished. If your pharmacy gives you the pills loose in a bottle, follow the same schedule.

Incision Care

• Unless Dr. Naderi directs otherwise, remove the pressure wrap from the donor site the afternoon after surgery.
• Do not remove the Steri-Strips or clear Tegaderm tape covering your incisions.
• For all other incisions, or if the tape falls off:
  • Clean gently 3–4 times a day with a Q-tip dipped in diluted hydrogen peroxide. Roll the Q-tip; do not scrub.
  • Mix half peroxide and half water in the cap, then discard the excess.
  • Apply prescribed antibiotic ointment or Vaseline very gently 3–4 times a day to open incisions.
• Continue your hypochlorous acid (HOCl) spray on your skin and incisions 3 times a day. Do not get it into your eyes.
• Do not pick or pull at incisions.
• Sutures are typically dissolvable, or are removed 6–12 days after surgery.
• Protect healing skin and incisions from direct sun exposure for 3 months. Wear a large hat and loose clothing.
• Do not take baths or get into a pool or jacuzzi.
• Do not apply makeup to the incisions.

Activity and Recovery

• Do not lift more than 20 pounds for the first month.
• No exercise for the first month. You may then gradually resume and build back slowly, with the goal of returning to full activity by about 3 months.
• Most patients return to work in 1–2 weeks.

What Is Normal

• Swelling and bruising
• Mild bleeding or drainage
• Mild asymmetries
• Noticeable incisions early on
• Mild itching
• Mild lumps, bumps, or divots

If you are ever unsure, Dr. Naderi and our team are always available. Take a few clear, well-lit photos and email them to Surgery@NaderiCenter.com. For anything more urgent, please call the office so we get your message quickly.