Parotidectomy

Diet:
Resume your previous diet.

Activity:
Keep your head raised 30 degrees (i.e. on 2 pillows) at bedtime, for 48 hrs.

Avoid straining, strenuous exercise, or lifting over 5 lbs. for 2 weeks.

Medications:
Take all of the antibiotics prescribed.

Follow directions for taking pain medication carefully.

Do not take aspirin or products containing non-steroidal anti inflammatory medications (i.e. Advil, Motrin, ibuprofen, etc.) These “thin the blood” and slow clotting of the blood.

Apply a thin layer of one of the following ointments (Neosporin, Bacitracin or Polysporin) to the incision site twice a day.

Follow-up:
Return to the office the next day or Monday (if surgery was done on Friday), for drain removal.

Information:
Bloody drainage in the drain is normal and will reduce.

Pain in the face and/or numbness of the lower half of the ear is normal after this operation. The pain will reduce over the first 2 weeks after surgery.

Swelling in the surgical area is normal and will reduce over the first 4 weeks after surgery.

Call the doctor for excessive bleeding from the wound or fever over 100.4 degrees.

If the drain becomes full, record the amount of drainage on a piece of paper (and bring the paper to the office when the drain is removed), then lift the plastic flip-top and discard the fluid into the drain or toilet.