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Postoperative Guidelines

Select Your Surgeries

Listed:

27

Select Your Medication(if recivied)

Do you have drains?
Local Anesthesia Only?

Listed:

16

Which Stitches?

Please continue to read down below

Medication

Avil

Anti Allergy

Every 12 hours

May cause drowsiness; do not drive

Cipro

Antibiotic

500 mg every 12 hours

Avoid dairy products around dose time

Contramal

Opioid Painkiller

50mg every 8 hr/100mg every 12 hr

Only if Parol doesn't help. May cause nausea or dizziness; do not drive. Do not combine with Xanax

Enfexia

Antibiotic

500 mg every 12 hours

Take with food. Do not use if allergic to penicillin

Minoxil

Hair Stimulant

Every 12 hours

For external use only; avoid contact with eyes

Parol

Painkiller

500 mg every 6 hours

Do not exceed 4g per day. Can be taken with or without food

Prednol

Anti-inflammatory

16 mg - 1st day: 3 tablets / 2nd day: 2 tablets / 3rd day: 1 tablet

Then discontinue completely. To reduce the risk of stomach irritation, take with food.

Proscar

Hair Stimulant

5 mg tablet - take one-quarter daily

Using a knife to divide.

Scarex

Scar Care

Daily

Use only after full wound closure. Check 'Scar Care' section

Siltape

Scar Care

Daily

Use on closed incisions only; reusable. Check 'Scar Care' section

Sterimar

Washing

Every 6 hours

Not a decongestant; used for cleaning only. Use before cream in nasal care

Terramycin

Antibiotic

Every 12 hours

Can be used for eye, eyelid margin, nostrils. May cause blurred vision temporarily.

Thiocilline

Antibiotic

Every 12 hours

Apply to clean, dry skin; avoid eyes. Check 'Wound Care' section

Tobrased

Antibiotic

Every 6 hours

Do not touch dropper tip to eye

Viscotears

Moisturizing

Every 6 hours

May cause temporary blurred vision

Xanax

Anti Anxiety

0.5 mg daily

May cause drowsiness; do not drive. Do not combine with Contramal

Aftercare Instructions 

Smoking & Alcohol​​

  • Stop for 2 weeks after surgery.

Activity & Posture & Protection

  • Feeling emotional or slightly depressed in the first days after surgery is normal and temporary.

  • ​Start walking the same evening of surgery; walk 5–10 minutes every few hours. Begin by walking inside your room on the day of surgery if you feel well. From the following day, you may walk in the hallway for 15–20 minutes at a time, as tolerated. If you are unable to get out of bed, move your foot up and down as if pressing a gas pedal.​

  • Begin deep breathing exercises (e.g., using a triflow device) from the first evening to prevent lung complications.

  • Rest at home for 10 days. It is recommended not to stay alone during the first 3 days after surgery. Return to desk work gradually. Avoid heavy exercise, pushing, pulling, lifting loads heavier than 5 kg and sexual activity and for 4 weeks.

  • Minor treatments under local anesthesia typically allow a same-day return to daily activities. Desk work is usually manageable with short breaks. 

  • Avoid high-impact activities or tight clothing that may damage during the early healing phase. Refrain from any impact, scratching, rubbing, or any trauma to the surgical area.

  • Avoid wearing contact lenses for at least 2 weeks after surgery.

  • Avoid public baths, sea, pools, or hot tubs for 4 weeks.

  • Blood Pressure Awareness: Avoid activities that spike blood pressure. If you use antihypertensive medications, take them as prescribed without interruption.

  • Head Elevation: To help reduce swelling, keep your head elevated while sleeping for at least two weeks. Avoid bending forward, lying flat or sleeping on your stomach during this period. Sleep strictly on your back using a pillow and do not turn to your sides. If you pray (e.g., Salah), please perform it while seated for the first 12 days.

  • Cold Compress: Apply cold compresses to the cheeks, forehead, eyelids for 15–20 minutes every hour at a time during the first 24 hours to reduce swelling. Use a clean cloth barrier.

  • Wear clothes that zip or button in the front to avoid pulling garments over your head.

  • Avoid blowing your nose. If sneezing is unavoidable, do it with your mouth open. If you experience frequent sneezing, contact your doctor for allergy medication.

  • Avoid wearing hats for 4 weeks.

  • Do not raise your arms above shoulder level, avoid driving for the first 2-3 week.

  • In long term avoid sleeping directly on your chest and performing intense chest exercises, as these may affect breast implant position.

  • If you had inverted nipple correction, avoid touching or compressing the area until cleared by your surgeon.

  • Walk slightly bent forward for the first 7–10 days to reduce tension on the incision. Support your lower back while resting and use pillows under the knees when lying down. When coughing or sneezing, use your hands to support your abdomen gently.

  • Avoid sitting directly on your buttocks for 2–4 weeks after butt surgery. If necessary, use a BBL pillow under your thighs and sit for short periods only.

  • If you had a tummy tuck and BBL at the same time, sitting is allowed — protecting your abdominal repair is the priority during the first days but avoid sliding or stretching the area. 

  • Do not massage, press, or rub the grafted areas for 2 weeks.

  • After 2 weeks, if advised or if you notice a lump at fat grafted area, gently massage for 5 minutes, 5 times a day to prevent or reduce it.

  • Rest with your legs together for the first 3–5 days to prevent tension. Avoid long walks, stairs, squatting, or stretching movements for 2-3 weeks. Avoid tight clothing until fully healed. Friction and moisture may irritate the incision; wear loose, breathable garments.

  • Be extra gentle with hygiene after using the toilet.

  • Avoid sexual intercourse, tampons, or internal exams for at least 6 weeks.

​Diet​​

  • Following general anesthesia, if there is no nausea, oral intake may typically begin approximately 3 hours after the procedure. It is recommended to start with liquids such as soup. If these are well tolerated, a gradual transition to soft foods can be made. As each patient is different, the progression of diet should follow your doctor’s specific recommendations.

  • Drink 2–3 liters of water daily and eat a high-protein diet.

  • Begin with clear fluids and avoid contact with the oral incision site. From day 3, move to soft foods like soup, yogurt, and purée. Return to solid foods after 1 week.

  • To avoid pain from the temporal stitches in the chewing muscles, stick to soft foods for a week.

Showering​

  • You may begin showering one day after drain removal, as long as at least three days have passed since your surgery. For the first shower, apply waterproof tape once over the former drain sites. After showering, remove the tape, leave the area uncovered, and proceed with your usual cream application.

  • You may take a shower starting from day 3 post-op.

  • Do not remove the brown Omni-Strips on your incisions. Allow water to run gently over them, and pat the area dry.

  • If there is white gauze, remove it before showering.

  • After drying, apply cream on uncovered wounds

  • Pour gently, use fingertips only, no rubbing. Let crusts fall off on their own. After Day 10, you may wash more normally, but avoid hot water and strong pressure for 3–4 weeks

  • First hair transplant wash is done at the clinic on Day 3 or 4. Then wash your hair daily with recommended shampoo and lukewarm water. On days when you’re not allowed to take a full shower, you can gently clean your bod.

  • On days when you’re not allowed to take a full shower, you can gently clean your body while avoiding the surgical area. For washing your hair, you may consider visiting a hair salon for assistance

  • If you are unsure or uncomfortable, you may delay showering until your first follow-up.

Wound Care​​

  • The first 3 days are critical to avoid infection; stay away from dusty and dirty environments.

  • If gauze pads are placed over the brown Omni-Strips, they may be removed after the first 24–48 hours, or as directed by your physician. Be sure to remove the gauze gently, taking care not to disturb the adhesive strips underneath. If any discharge continues, you may apply clean gauze again over the area as needed.

  • Brown Omni-Strips should remain in place for up to 10 days unless they become dirty or detached. If needed, you may change them once. Do not reapply any tape after day 10. Continue using the prescribed antibiotic cream until all scabs fall off and the wounds are clean and closed—usually around the third week.

  • If there is no tapes  applied to insicions, apply the antibiotic cream gently twice a day with a cotton swab from first day.  

  • Please rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash after every meal, making sure that the solution reaches the oral incision area. Do not apply any cream to the site.

  • Stitches:

  • Absorbable stitches will dissolve on their own in a 7-10 days. If the sutures haven’t dissolved within those days, you can gently grasp them with tweezers and trim them at the base using small scissors. If they feel stuck and don’t come out easily, please don’t force them. Instead, keep the area moist by washing with water more frequently and gently exfoliate to help them dissolve.

  • The removal time for non-absorbable sutures varies depending on their location:

  • Typically 5–7 days on the face, neck and scalp; 7–10 days on chest, back, arms, legs and 12–14 days on the palms, soles, or fingers. In high-mobility areas such as over joints, sutures may need to remain for 12–14 days.

  • Always follow the specific instructions provided during your visit. Removing sutures too early can cause the wound to reopen, while leaving them in too long may increase the risk of scarring. That’s why it’s important to follow your surgeon’s recommended timeline for suture removal.

  • None

  • Painful Skin Allergy: Creams, tapes, garments, or foams may cause itchy,Small ones can be treated with cream. Larger ones may be drained with a sterile needle, keeping the overlying skin intact, and then covered with cream.

  • After Laser: Your skin will be sensitive. On the first day, apply the anesthetic cream mixture twice a day as instructed. Gently rinse your face 6–10 times a day with lukewarm water. If you have incisions nearby, please refer to the “Showering” section. After each rinse, pat the skin dry gently and apply only the moisturizing cream. Once the skin has healed, apply SPF 30+ sunscreen daily. Avoid all sun exposure for at least 4 months. 

  • Nasal Spray & Ointment Use: Use nasal spray first to clean inside the nose. After a few minutes, apply antibiotic ointment with a cotton swab to visible stitches and as far inside as you can reach gently. Repeat spray and ointment application 4–5 times daily. Do not pick scabs—soften them and let them fall off naturally.

  • Nasal Dressings & Splints: You may use a moustache dressing under your nose if drainage becomes bothersome. Internal and external splints are removed around day 6–7. Stitches under the nose or at the nostrils may be removed by your doctor. Nasal taping may continue afterward, especially in thick-skinned patients, once per week for up to 1 month.

  • Ethnic or Secondary Rhinoplasty Graft Site : If cartilage or fascia was taken from your scalp, ear, or rib, mild pain, swelling, or bruising at the donor site is normal. Follow the general wound and scar care instructions for that area, and avoid any pressure or tension on it.

  • Nose Massage: If advised, begin nasal massage 5 times a day for 15 minutes each, after splints are removed.

  • We recommend starting lymphatic massage from the third day after surgery, performed by professional nurses. With proper massage, it is also possible to remove the drains earlier than usual. Please contact your patient coordinator for approved providers and scheduling.

  • Gently rinse genital area with water only. Do not use soap or scrub. Pat dry carefully after urination or showering. Short warm water soaks may be helpful if recommended by your doctor, and not while wounds are open. 

  • Use the spray called Actolind, provided in your surgery kit, by spraying it over the hair transplanted area every 3–4 hours like a deodorant. Once the bottle is finished, you do not need to purchase a new one.

  • For the first year after surgery, only scissors should be used to trim the hair transplanted area. Shaving machines or razors should not be used. The donor area (back of the scalp) can be evened out by a barber 15 days after the procedure. If available at home, you may gently massage the hair donor area with St. John’s Wort oil(Hypericum oil) after 15 days.

​Scar Care

  • Scar care typically begins around the third week, once the wound is clean and fully closed following the wound care protocol. If any area is still open or leaking at that time, continue following 'Wound Care' instructions for that specific spot.

  • If the area allows, please use a silicone scar sheet and keep it in place continuously. The sheet is not single-use; you can remove and reapply it until it loses its adhesiveness. You may start with a few hours a day in the first week, then gradually increase to full-day use. If silicone taping is not feasible, apply a very thin layer of silicone gel once or ideally twice daily. Continue this treatment for at least 3 to 4 months. In some cases, extending the use up to 6 months may provide better results.

  • Begin scar massage 4 weeks after surgery, 20 times a day for 10 seconds in multiple directions.

  • Spitting Suture (▶︎Check the Image): From around the first month onwards, small watery bumps may appear along the incision line and may later turn into minor open wounds. This is usually due to deep sutures surfacing. If a suture becomes visible, you can carefully remove it with sterilized tweezers and scissors. If the wound opens, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover it, following basic wound care procedure

  • Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen daily. Avoid all sun exposure for at least 4 months. 

Drain Care

  • ​Keep drains clipped to your clothing; do not let them hang freely.

  • Empty the reservuar when it’s ½ full. Record the amount and color each time.  After emptying, squeeze the reservuar and close the cap firmly to restore suction. If the reservuar inflates or suction is lost, re-squeeze to re-establish vacuum. ▶︎Watch the video for instructions.

  • Mild leaking or staining at the drain site is normal; cover with gauze if needed.

  • Do not soak the drain area; no baths or submersion.

  • Drains are usually removed once the daily output drops below 50 cc and the fluid becomes light pink to yellow. 

Garments

  • 24/7 for 4 weeks, then at night for 2 more weeks.

  • As swelling decreases the garment may feel loose and can be gently tightened.

  • If the garment shifts, it may be repositioned gently back into place.

  • You may remove your garments for short periods of up to 1 hour, such as while resting or for washing. Having a backup is recommended. 

  • If the garment causes irritation at the corners, you may place a clean, soft cloth underneath those areas for added comfort

  • It may contain foam inserts underneath, which will typically be removed at your first follow-up.

  • Keep surgical bra pulled down below the breast fold. Avoid underwire bras for the first 3 months unless told otherwise

  • If you need to have a bowel movement, you may carefully cut open that part of the garment if necessary.

  • After initial dressing is removed, use a tennis-style headband as directed, typically during sleep.

Symptoms Not to Worry About

  • Shivering for up to 1–2 hours, constipation, sore throat, and hoarseness can all be considered normal for up to 5–7 days after general anesthesia. During this period, we recommend increasing your intake of fiber-rich foods. If constipation persists beyond a week, a mild laxative may be considered. Staying well hydrated and drinking plenty of warm water can help soothe your throat and support your recovery

  • Moderate swelling, bruising, feeling of tension, numbness of the skin, asymmetry, or surface irregularities are common and expected findings during the healing process after any surgical procedure. These symptoms improve within a few weeks, while numbness may take several months to fully resolve.

  • Scar Redness and irregularity are normal in the first few months. Scars will fade and flatten gradually over 6 to 12 months.

  • Asymmetry during facial expressions, a sense of tightness or stiffness, and mild muscle weakness are common after surgery. These symptoms are temporary and usually resolve gradually over the course of several weeks to a few months.

  • Face swelling will peak around day 3 and then gradually decrease. Your eyes may be swollen shut in the mornings for the first few days; this is temporary. Bruising around the eyes is common and may last 1–2 weeks. Swelling will take 6–12 months to fully resolve. 

  • Migraine-like headaches and nausea during the first 1–2 nights, along with a temporarily over-pulled look, dimples, and skin puckering around the temples, are all normal after a Temporal Lift- Fox eye procedures. These effects occur because the stitches are anchored to the chewing muscles. They are part of the healing process and typically resolve on their own within a few weeks.

  • Blurry - hazy vision and difficulty closing the eyes may occur due to eyelid swelling—this is common and temporary. However, double vision is not expected and should be reported

  • Numbness in the lower lip and sometimes the lower teeth is normal after a chin implant.

  • Over-lifted nasal tip is normal at first and will gradually settl

  • Breast implants sitting high in the early period is part of the normal ‘drop and fluff’ process, which occurs gradually over a few months.

  • Heaviness in the chest, nipple numbness or sensitivity, and fluid-like sensations in the breasts are common and temporary during the healing process

  • Intense pain after buttock implants is normal in the first few days due to muscle placemen

  • Fluid leakage after liposuction, especially when VASER is used, is normal during the first week

  • Increased skin looseness after liposuction is normal due to the sudden removal of fat, and as the skin gradually contracts, improvement may take up to six months.

  • Swelling and bruising in the genital area are normal after abdominal liposuction.

  • A fuller look than desired after fat grafting is normal, as some of the fat will naturally be reabsorbed; swelling and fullness gradually subside, with final results settling in 3 to 6 months

  • Pinkish fluid discharge from the hair donor area is normal during the first 3–4 days and simply indicates the release of excess fluid, unless accompanied by signs of infection

When to Call Dr. Semih

  • High Fever: If your body temperature is higher than 37.5°C (99.5°F).

  • Sudden Uneven Swelling or Redness at the Surgical Site (▶︎Check the Image): Especially if it appears on one side and in an area that had previously improved and reduced in size. Mild redness and surface irregularities around the incision are normal in the first few months.

  • Thick, Dark, Colored, or Foul-Smelling Discharge (▶︎Check the Image): May suggest infection. Light pink or yellow discharge (especially after liposuction or drain removal) can be normal.

  • Continuous Bleeding That Doesn’t Stop With Pressure (▶︎Check the Image): Small stains or spotting from incisions in the first few days are common. Contact us only if bleeding continues or becomes heavier.

  • Sudden Shortness of Breath: There may be a sign of embolism or pulmonary edema. Mild anxiety or panic symptoms after surgery are also possible. If you have a known history of panic attacks, inform your doctor. 

  • Wound Separation (▶︎Check the Image)

  • Pain That Does Not Improve With Medication

  • Drain Fluid Turns Dark Red and Increases Suddenly (▶︎Check the Image): May indicate bleeding, especially if it was previously light or yellowish.

  • Cold Sore (Herpes) on the Face or Lips after the procedure may occur and should be managed with antiviral treatment

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