Your written discharge plan comes first. These instructions must be tailored to your treatment and medical history. For combined procedures, ask the team for one coordinated plan; do not choose between conflicting instructions yourself.
What to expect.
Swelling, tightness, and tenderness around the incision beneath the nose are expected early. The scar and upper-lip position take time to settle.
Your care plan.
- Clean the incision gently using the product specified by your surgeon. Do not introduce peroxide, alcohol, or antibiotic ointment unless specifically instructed.
- Avoid pulling the upper lip, forceful pursing, or stretching the incision. Choose foods that do not require a wide mouth opening.
- Keep your head elevated initially. Do not rub or blow the nose forcefully; sneeze with your mouth open.
- Keep makeup off the incision until healed and cleared. Leave stitches for the team to remove.
Activity & recovery.
- Rest with your head gently elevated and avoid bending at the waist, straining, and heavy lifting until cleared. Take short walks rather than remaining in bed.
- Protect the treated area from pressure and sun. Resume exercise, makeup over incisions, and other facial treatments only when cleared.
Follow your team’s specific instructions for medicines, wound care, and safe movement. Do not drive while taking sedating medicines or until you can safely operate a vehicle and your surgeon clears you.
When to call.
Chest pain, trouble breathing, collapse, stroke symptoms, or sudden loss of vision need immediate emergency care. Do not wait for an office reply or use an online form.
Contact your care team promptly
- Call promptly for a new incision gap, heavy bleeding, spreading redness, severe pain, or pale/dusky skin.
- Report fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, spreading redness, pus, worsening pain, persistent vomiting, or inability to keep fluids down. Call sooner if you feel seriously unwell, even without a fever.
- New one-sided calf pain or swelling needs urgent medical assessment. If you also have chest pain or shortness of breath, call 911.
Call 615.730.7500. After hours, follow the urgent-contact directions on your discharge paperwork. If you cannot reach the team and symptoms are urgent, seek immediate medical care.
Stay connected.
Keep your scheduled follow-up and ask the team when to send an update or return sooner. Confirm any dressing, stitch, or drain removal with the office. Return to exercise, work, travel, and skin-care products should follow your individual clearance plan.
Before leaving your appointment, make sure you know your next visit date, medication plan, and after-hours contact instructions.
Sources & References
External references open in a new tab. Your care guide will stay open here.
- University of Colorado: facial surgery, lip lift section
- American Academy of Dermatology: wound and scar care
These references provide general information. Follow your care team’s procedure-specific instructions and personal discharge plan.