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What Things can I do to Prepare for Facelift? Diet Changes?

asked 7 months ago by Scorchj
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 179 times
Tags: diet, preparation

I am scheduled for a facelift in 2 weeks and i have some questions on getting prepared. Specifically my questions are: Low salt diet before and after, does it really help? What about foods rich in vitamin e since you are told to stop vit e supplements? What about vitamin e in face care products? Finally, must i stop restasis and antihistimine and decogestant eye drops and if so when? Thanks in advance - there are always great answers from the doctors on this site.

13 answers to What Things can I do to Prepare for Facelift? Diet Changes?

Preparing for Facelift Surgery

Every surgeon has his/her own preferences for preoperative and postoperative care. If each of us share our instructions I think it will confuse your preparation. Follow your surgeon's recommendations.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Preparation for a facelift

There are many things you can do to prepare for your surgery. Most involve things to avoid. There are many over the counter medicines that prolong bleeding including aspirin, motrin and related analgesics, high dose vit E, fish oil, and herbal medicines. These should be stopped 2 weeks prior to surgery. Since we don't really know what may or may not be in some over the counter herbal meds, I tell people to stop them all 2 weeks before surgery. If you need... more

Randy Proffitt, MD
Mobile Plastic Surgeon

Facelift Preparation?

Thank you for the question. Assuming you are currently following a good/healthy diet, I do not think you need to do anything special prior to surgery. Your plastic surgeon will “micromanage” your medications and management of any medical issues prior to surgery (usually during a "pre-operative” visit). Equally important, the plastic surgeon will help prepare you for the aftercare required. Optimal results require well guided preoperative,... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Pre and post op face lift care; What works

There are many opinions of what works and what doesn't. You have asked for opinions and I will give you mine based on 23 years of practice. no question in my mind that low salt diet absolutely helps. If you eat a bag of potato chips you know you will retain water and some of you may notice the swelling. A surgical site is more prone to swelling than normal tissue. The last thing you want is to have your face swell any more than necessary as this stretches the tissues beyond... more

Jay Burns, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Preparing for a lift

Each situation is unique and only your surgeon knows the specific details of your procedure and should be the person commenting on post-operative questions such as this

Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Diet Changes Prior to Facelift

These are critical questions to ask of your surgeon. In general, vitamin E must be avoided, while I encourage the taking of vitamin C and K. For facial care products, I generally see no reason to stop these, unless they are extremely irritating.

Jeffrey Epstein MD, FACS
Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon

Diet and medications to prepare for a facelift

Before surgery you should be at a weight you are comfortable with because significant weight loss after a facelift can sometimes deflate the face and give somewhat of an aged appearance. Preoperatively minimize sodium intake so there is no additional swelling and a diet that doesn't contain vitamin E, Ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, and garlic as these and other medications can cause increased bleeding during and after surgery. You can continue your eye drops as there is no... more

Joseph Hunstad, MD
Charlotte Plastic Surgeon

www.hunstadkortesiscenter.com

Things to do to prepare for a Facelift

In preparing for a facelift the most important thing to do is follow your surgeon's instructions. It is important that you and he or she is on the "same page". It is also important to avoid medications such as aspirin and motrin which could cause bleeding. Avoid heavy lifting, straining, exercise, or even bending over for the first couple of weeks after the surgery as these activities can increase blood pressure and also can cause bleeding. Usually one... more

Vincent D. Lepore, MD
San Jose Plastic Surgeon

Preparation for your Facelift should be left to Your Surgeon

Hi there- While I know your question is innocent, and also that most of the surgeons on this site mean well and want to help, the truth is that your surgeon would probably be a bit sad and frustrated if he knew that you were asking strangers on the internet these questions, instead of letting him tell you what he thinks is safe and effective in his practice. Think of it this way- none of us know you as well as your surgeon does; none of us have examined you, and none of us knows... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Diet in preparation for facelift

Most would agree that a low sodium diet before and after surgery will help to reduce the amount of swelling you experience. When it comes to medications and supplements, your surgeon should be able to provide you with the answers to your questions. It is best to follow his or her recommendations.

Corey S. Maas, MD
San Francisco Facial Plastic Surgeon

Preparation for facelift surgery

Your plastic surgeon I'm sure has recommendations for what needs to be done or avoided before surgery and likely will gave you written instructions which will include such things as medications to avoid. Most plastic surgeons require their patients to stop taking aspirin for a period of time before surgery. You should let your surgeon know about all medications you are taking whether they are prescription or non prescription. Also, discuss any herbal meds or vitamins.... more

Ronald J. Edelson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

These are precisely the questions you need to ask your surgeon!

We all have our own opinions about these issues. This is why you should ask your surgeon. Vitamin E thins the blood. Interestingly recent research suggests that large does of vitamin may have some adverse health consequences. Personally I discourage patients from making any kind of radical change in the diet prior to surgery other than to minimize exposure to items in the diet that can thin the blood.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Preparing for your facelift

You should discuss pre-facelift preparation plans with your surgeon. Every doctor has slightly different protocol in terms of how they want their patients to prepare for a facelift surgery.