COSMETIC LASER SURGERY

About Cosmetic Laser Surgery

At Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery, our goal is to fully educate you about the Laser Surgery Procedure that you have elected to undergo. Specifically, you will be told how to prepare for surgery, what you should expect on the day of surgery, and the guidelines that you will need to follow postoperatively to ensure optimal results. You must be aware that all surgery carries some risk, even when the procedure is elective. Complications are infrequent, but we want you to fully understand the possible risks involved.

During your preoperative consultation, the plastic surgeon will ask you questions about your medical history, current medications, and social habits. This information will help the medical team to provide you optimal care. The surgeon will also discuss in detail the contents of this packet as it relates to you. Please feel free to ask any and all questions. After your appointment, we encourage you to read the complete packet you will receive, and contact us with any remaining questions. It is important to us that you are fully informed about the Laser Surgery to ensure that you have as smooth and pleasant a surgical experience as possible.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Laser Surgery?

Laser peel gives similar results as Chemical Peels and Dermabrasion in a very predictable fashion and provides for overall tightening of the skin.  Laser treatments can remove age spots, tattoos, spider blood vessels, vascular lesions, and birthmarks.  The laser can also be used to perform certain operations, decreasing the recovery time. 

Preparing For Surgery

At least 1 month prior to surgery
Stop smoking at least 1 month prior to your procedure. Smoking reduces circulation to the skin, impedes healing, and can lead to serious postoperative complications.

2 weeks prior to surgery
Stop all medications that can thin the blood 2 weeks prior to surgery. These include drugs such as Aspirin, Coumadin, Lovenox, Ibuprofen, Vitamin E, and multiple herbal preparations. These medications may cause bleeding during and after surgery.

1 week prior to surgery
Report any signs of a cold or infection that appear the week prior to your surgery. You may need to postpone your procedure to avoid unnecessary complications.

The day before surgery
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before your surgery. This includes water, ice, or hard candy. The only exception is that you may take your blood pressure or heart medication with a sip of water the morning of surgery.

The day of surgery
Plan to wear comfortable loose fitting clothes to the procedure.

Do not wear jewelry or bring valuables with you on the day of surgery.

You must arrange to have a responsible adult drive you home after your procedure.

What To Expect On The Day Of Surgery

When you arrive, you will be escorted to a preoperative evaluation area where you will be asked to change into a gown and will be given foot covers. Your surgeon will meet with you before you enter the operating room suite. During this time, the surgical consent form will be reviewed with you in detail and special markings may be made on your skin at the surgical site. You will have the opportunity to ask any last minute questions.

When your procedure is completed and your dressings are in place, you will be moved to the recovery room. During this period a recovery room nurse will assure your comfort and continue to monitor you closely.

Your stay in the recovery room will last approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Most patients are fully awake within 30 to 60 minutes after their surgery, but they may not remember much about their time in the recovery room due to some of the anesthesia medication. Once you are ready for discharge, a postoperative appointment will be scheduled and your discharge instructions will be reviewed.

You must have a responsible adult drive you home from the surgery center. A responsible adult must stay with you the first night after your surgery because you have been sedated.

Post-operative Instructions

Diet: Start with clear liquids and toast or crackers. If those are well tolerated, progress to a regular diet.

Driving: No driving for 1 to 2 weeks after your procedure or while taking pain medicine.

Activity: You may walk and climb stairs the day of surgery. Walk at least 3 times daily to decrease the risk of developing blood clots.

Work: Depending on your career and your rate of healing you should be able to return to work within 2 to 3 weeks of surgery. Your surgeon will be able to give you a better estimate depending on your physical and professional profile.

Bathing: You will be instructed to take six showers per day in order to begin the remove the coagulum (crusting) that develops over the treated skin.  After each shower, apply a layer of Vaseline, Crisco, or some other ointment as prescribed by your surgeon. 

Medications: Ask your surgeon when you can resume your blood thinning medications. All other prescription medications may be resumed immediately, as usual. While you are taking pain medicine, you are encouraged to follow a high fiber diet and take a stool softener such as Colace (available over the counter), as pain medications tend to cause constipation. Your surgeon may give you antibiotics for several days to help prevent infection.

Smoking and Alcohol: Do not smoke for the first several weeks after surgery as it impedes wound healing and can lead to serious wound complications. Alcohol consumption is dangerous while taking pain medicine as it has a tendency to worsen bleeding.

Post-operative Appointment: Your first follow-up visit will be 1 week after surgery. Your surgeon will then schedule visits at appropriate intervals to monitor your progress.

Special Considerations: Call your surgeon immediately if you experience any of the following: pain not relieved by pain medicine, bleeding, redness at the incision site, fever over 101°F, chest pain, shortness of breath, or any other concerning symptoms.  

Long Term Results

You will immediately notice changes within the treated skin.  During the recovery period, you may notice there may be some changes in the skin tone, with some variation throughout the areas of the face.

Surgical Risks

All surgical procedures involve some risks, such as the effects of anesthesia, bleeding, infection, pain, and swelling. After reading the discussion below, please contact your surgeon if you have any remaining questions.

Bleeding: Bleeding is usually minimal and well-controlled during Laser Surgery. 

Hematoma: A hematoma is a collection of blood under the skin. Hematomas may occur within the first few days after surgery or further out if the surgical site is traumatized. Small hematomas will resolve spontaneously and can be observed. Larger ones may require aspiration or drainage for optimal results.

Infection: Antibiotics will be given to you, prophylactically before surgery, and for several days after surgery to minimize the risk of infection. If an infection develops, it typically can be treated with different antibiotics. In some situations, surgical debridement may be required. This can result initially in a larger scar, which may be revised at a later date.

Pain: Mild to moderate pain and discomfort is expected after surgery. You will be given a prescription for pain medication. If you have severe pain not relieved by pain medicine, contact your surgeon immediately.

Delayed Healing or Wound Separation: In some instances, the incision takes longer to heal than normal. Cigarette smoking, poor nutrition, and a compromised immune system can all increase the risk of delayed wound healing or separation.

Numbness: It is common to experience some numbness around your surgical site for the first few weeks. Numbness can be temporary or it may be permanent.

Dissatisfaction with Cosmetic Results: We strive to attain the aesthetic results you desire. Some people are not entirely satisfied with their results due to asymmetry, scar deformity, or hypertrophic (irregularly raised) scarring. Careful surgical planning and technique can minimize, but not always prevent, such results. If necessary revisions can be made after the healing process is complete.

Blood Clots: Blood clots may form and travel to your lungs, resulting in severe injury or death. To decrease the risk of blood clots, boots that massage the lower leg will be placed on you during surgery. After the procedure you can decrease your risk of blood clots by walking 3 to 4 times daily.

Scarring: Scarring is generally not a problem, but is a rare complication of laser treatment.