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How to Avoid Bruising After Facelift?

I am considering a facelift, however I'm concerned about hematomas. Can you tell me the causes of these after facelifts? Are there things that I can do to prevent one from happening? Do they have anything to do with the expertise of the surgeon?

Asked 28 months ago by caesarboy in southn Florida

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face bruising

How to reduce bruising after a facelift

Some bruising after a facelift is to some extent inevitable. However the extent of bruising can be minimized, sometimes dramatically. Many "small things" actually add up to a significant difference in the postoperative course. Aftercare Every facelift patient in our practice goes to a licensed aftercare facility. The registered nurses at the aftercare make sure the blood pressure does not get too high, a primary cause of bleeding after surgery. In addition to increasing... more

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Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Bruising after Facelift Surgery

You will always have some bruising after a facelift. A hematoma, which is a localized collection of blood, is not a life-threatening complication but can compromise skin circulation and significantly delay post-operative healing. All experienced facelift surgeons have a list of pre-operative instructions regarding dietary and medicinal intake. A pre-operative medical evaluation is usually required. There are also post-operative instructions re activity, diet, and medicines. With due... more

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Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Tips to Minimize bruising

The reality is that a well done Facelift requires a relatively large area of soft tissue mobilization. The degree of tissue mobilization often equates to the degree of bruising a patient experiences. In my anecdotal experience, a longer procedure generally correlates with more bruising. Therefore, if you are having multiple procedures done (Facelift, brow lift, eyelid surgery), the extent of bruising is likely to be greater. However, If you are in the hands of an experienced Facelift... more

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Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

Bruising and Hematoma after Face Lift Surgery

Bruising is very common and not considered a complication with this plastic surgery. A hematoma is a collection of blood under the skin which should normally be drained is a complication. Hematoma is the most common complication with face lift surgery, with an overall estimated incidence of less than 5%. Most hematomas occur within 24hours after the face lift surgery, but may occur several days afterward too. The most significant risk factors for bleeding with face and neck lift surgery are... more

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Houtan Chaboki, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

Reducing Bruising and Avoiding Hematoma After a Facelift

During a normal recovery from a facelift some bruising is expected. It usually occurs low in the neck and resolves over 7 - 10 days. Bruising can be reduced by the following measures: 1. Stop all blood thinning medications, supplements and herbal products prior to surgery. Your plastic surgeon should supply a list but the most common include aspirin, NSAID's like Advil, Motrin or Aleve, Ginkgo, Garlic, Ginseng and many more 2. Use Arnica Montana before and a few days after... more

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David L. Mobley, MD

Sarasota Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Facelift Hematoma

This is a multifactoral issue and there are things that I do in the operating room to decrease the rate of hematoma and there are things we as of you to try to decrease the chance of it happening. Hematoma is rare but the rate is no 0%. So blood pressure control before, during and after surgery is a must as is pain control. Those two things are what commonly lead to hematomas after surgery. Stopping any medications that can increase your bleeding 2 weeks before surgery will also... more

Farbod Esmailian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Bruising after a facelift can be minimal.

Bruising after a facelift can be minimal, but it depends on the approach. Bruising and even hematomas are more likely with more invasive facelift techniques such as a SMAS lift or a deep plane facelift. These are much less likely with a MACS lift, since there is less undermining of the skin where most vessels are. I have many patients with very little or no bruising after a MACS lift, and have not seen a hematoma in over 200 patients. However, hematomas are not very common after any... more

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Steven L. Ringler, MD

Grand Rapids Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

How to avoid bruising and hematoma after facelift?

Like all complications, bruising and hematomas cannot be avoided entirely but they CAN be reduced to a very low rate. The cause of hematoma can be divided to factors which are either related to you, those related to the surgeon and those related how you do in the first 3 days or so after surgery. PATIENT FACTORSif you have a family history of easy bruising and bleeding you must tell your surgeon and you should be tested to se if you have a disorder that must be treated before you can have... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Face lifting, recovery from surgery, surgery preparation

Dear Caesarboy, There are several aspects of controlling post operative bruising 1 preparation- good pre-op supplements 2 avoiding meds and supplements that can cause bruising 3 operative technique 4 anaesthesia 5 post operative care The rate of post operative bleeding in men in higher than in women- which is up to 5 % in the literature. Regular bruising is variable- and best taken care of with good operative technique. With Warm Reagrds Trevor M Born MD

Trevor M. Born, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS

Avoiding Hematoma in Facelift

In addition to the things that have been mentioned, reduction of the amount of vasoconstrictor (a medication injected into the tissues before the procedure by almost everyone) used at the time of the procedure has been found to make a significant difference. We also do or recommend all the other things mentioned. However, we do not leave anything to chance as far as medications that increase the risk of bleeding and reduce the bruising. We have all our patients stop ALL over the counter... more

Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Rapid Healing After Facelifts

There are many things that can be done to minimize bruising after a facelift. There are also materials that a surgeon can use to decrease bruising as well. Patients typically reduce bruising after surgical procedures by doing a few simple things: Maintaining low activity levels and avoiding straining for the first week Sleeping with their head elevated above their heart Wearing the compression garment after the surgery Icing religiously for the first 72 hours (usually 30 minutes every hour... more

Richard W. Westreich, MD

Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

Tissue glue may help minimizing bruising with facelift

Although there continues to be some debate abuot using tissue glue (also called fibrin glue) with facelifts, I have been using it for several years and find that it really makes a difference. There is less swelling, less bruising, and the hematoma rate is extremely low. Another benefit is that you don't have to have suction drain tubes.

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Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

There are many things one can do to minimize bruising.

All of the items mentioned by Dr. Moelleken above are the most important, especially control of the blood pressure. In more than 30 years of doing facelifts in our practice we have seen a dramatic decrease in hematomas with post operative control of blood pressure (and of course all the other items mentioned as well).

Toby Mayer, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Bruising can be reduced after facelift!

Everyone experiences some bruising after face lift type of procedures. This is true for even the smaller or "mini lift" surgeries as well. While all bruising can not be eliminated here are some steps to reduce the bruising and speed your recovery. Before the procedure avoid platelet inhibitors such as aspirin, Motrin, Advil, aleve etc. Tylenol is OK. Obviously intended blood thinners such as Plavix and coumadin need to be stopped ahead of your procedure. Also avoid excess... more

James H. Schmidt, MD

Sarasota Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Simple tips to lessen bruising from a Facelift

1) Avoid Aspirin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Fish oil, Vit E, and all herbal medications 10 days prior to procedure 2) Make sure your Blood pressure is under control with the help of your primary care physician if you are prone to high BP. 3) Use some Arnica Montana supplementation to lessen bruising. This is available in any store or pharmacy and it's cheap! 4) Take it easy after surgery meaning no heavy straining or lifting activity for several days and keep your head elevated. Lastly even with... more

Louis M. DeJoseph, MD

Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon

Less bruising after face lift.

Hi! 1) The other doctors make very good points, but bruising and hematoma have nothing to do with each other. 2) Everybody gets a little bruising. Most of our facelift patients are presentable in one week. Meticulous surgical technique and careful post operative care are essential. 3) In our Manhattan practice, we have a 1% incidence of hematomas, and that just seems to be as low as one can go.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Avoiding Facelift Hematomas

Hematomas or collection of blood under skin after surgery can happen after any surgery. Facelifts have a hematoma incidence of about 6%. There are 3 reasons for hematomas; 1. High blood pressure 2. Inadequate hemostasis (cauterizing blood vessels during surgery) 3. Blood thinners like Aspirin, Motrin etc. On your part you can read through the following and it will help you. MEDICATION REGIMEN FOR PLASTIC SURGERY PATIENTS 1 WEEK BEFORE SURGERYStart taking a multivitamin one capsule a day and... more

Tanveer Janjua, MD

Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon

Some degree of bruising is inevitable after facelift

Some degree of bruising and swelling is inevitable after facelift. Many of my patients have noted an improvement in their postoperative swelling and bruising with postoperative usage of Bromelain (pineapple extract) and Arnica Montana (mountain herb). Hematoma, on the other hand, is considered a complication and you are smart to inquire about it prior to surgery. To minimize your risks, avoid Aspirin, Motrin and other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs for at least 2 weeks before and... more

Sam Jejurikar, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Bruising can occur after facelifts, but there are ways to minimize it

Bruising occurs after all facelifts. However, it can be minimized by avoiding medications such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications before. Also a number of vitamin and health supplements can also increase bleeding. I advise patients to use arnica montana, a homeopathic medicationn, before and after surgery to reduce the "black and blue." As for hematomas, they can occur and aren't necessarily a fault of the surgeon. Good technique, of course, is always important.... more

Steven J. Pearlman, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelifts & Bruising

In general, the optimal ways to minimize and prevent bruising is to have the patient avoid aspirin and medications pre-op and to obtain adequate intraoperative hemostasis, maintain normal intraoperative blood pressure, and to maintain post operative blood pressure control to help minimize bruising. Also, I use platelet free plasma or platelet enriched or plasma intraoperatively. I have done this for 7 years which is taking the patient’s own blood intraoperatively and centrifuging it... more

Rod J. Rohrich, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Problems with male facelifts

I am assuming from your name that you are a male. Interestingly there are a higher occurence of hematomas in males which is presumed to be associated with the increased vascularity due to the bearded skin as well as a greater prevalence of hypertension. Controlling your blood pressure with both anti-hypertensive medications as well relieving anxiety with pain medications are first line approaches. Surgical technique is also an important factor.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Minimizing Bruising After A Facelift

Each patient has individual healing factors which can account for bruising. A surgeon lifting the appropriate dissection plane with delicate technique working in an efficient manner will lead to less bruising and swelling. Decreasing the chance of bruising and hematoma can be helped doing the following: Avoiding medications and herbal supplements which are blood thinners Avoid alcohol one week prior and one week after the procedure Avoid caffeine 2 days... more

Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

Ask during consultation how to avoid bruising after facelift

Yes ask all great questions. These concerns are and should be addressed by the plastic surgeon in your in person consultation. Make sure you have these concerns answered to YOUR liking. The cause of face lift hematomae are many, like aspirin or vitamin use prior to surgery, hypertension, bruising history, blood dyscrasias, attention to detail of homeostasis by the operating surgeon to name a few. There are many pages on RealSelf.com to help answer your concerns. But in person discussions... more

Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Hematomas and bruising after facelift surgery

If a hematoma is present after facelift surgery, it will cause extensive bruising. A small hematoma can be treated with local pressure. Our practice uses suction and drains to help prevent hematomas and seromas. An acute hematoma that develops in the first few hours after a facelift is an emergency and must be treated immediately by your surgeon. Acute hematomas are usually related to hypertension or aspirin/ibuprofen intake. Your blood pressure should be under good control and not... more

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William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Reducing Facelift Bruising

Question: How to avoid bruising after facelift? Answer: Some degree of bruising is always present following facelift surgery. The most important factors that may significantly reduce bruising include: 1. Avoidance of all anti-coagulating (blood thinning) medications most notably Aspirin, Ibuprofens (Advil, Motrin, Aleve), anti-coagulating vitamins and herbs including Vitamin E, Fish Oil, Preparations, Garlic Pills, Ginko, etc. 2. Meticulous hemostasis by the surgeon who should cauterize all... more