You’ve chosen your doctor and scheduled your Facelift! Time to get ready for surgery day with these pre- and post-op tips:
from ctfan's review
Before Surgery
1. Make sure you stay off of all aspirin and aspirin containing compounds, herbs and remedies that thin the blood, as well as vitamins. Your physician's office should supply a list of all medications they would like discontinued and the dates to do so. ~ Michael Elam, M.D.
2. Have your bed prepared with multiple levels of pillows so you will be able to sleep elevated. ~ Michael Elam, M.D.
3. Find someone to help take care of you for the first 48 hours or so post-op. It is very helpful to have support and someone to help you time your medications so you take them at correct intervals.
4. Ask your doctor about Arnica and Bromelain. Many people find these supplements help reduce swelling. Also ask about icing and if your doctor recommends it.
5. Wear comfortable clothes to the hospital/surgical center – a shirt that opens in front will be easier to get out of than one that goes over the head.
6. If you smoke, quit at least 4 weeks before your facelift, and preferably don't start up again. Carbon Monoxide and nicotine from cigarettes can have disastrous results on facelift healing.
7. Pick up any prescriptions you can ahead of time and stock up on soft foods and beverages you like. Check out this supply list http://www.realself.com/forum/supplies-for-facelift-recovery for more ideas of what to get up front.
8. Purchase 4 or more clamp hairpins to keep your hair off your face when you need to apply ointments and cleaning solutions.
9. Get your hair cut and colored before surgery. It will be at least six weeks before you can have this done post-op.
10. If you'll be venturing out of the house after the worst part of recovery has passed, but before the bruising has subsided, consider investing in a heavy-duty concealer.
After Surgery
1. Rest, rest, rest. Don't compromise your results by doing or lifting too much too soon. You've put this much time and effort into your facelift, so give your body the time it needs to heal. That said, do get up and walk a bit to promote circulation and prevent blood clots.
“The less active one is after surgery, the faster the swelling seems to resolve.” ~Anand D. Patel, MD
2. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of clear liquids.
3. Sleep with your head elevated to promote healing (remember those pillows we mentioned above?)
From Ebbie1026's review
4. Ask your surgeon when you can wash your hair post-op. Some doctors say the next day is fine, others want you to wait a little longer.
5. If you quit smoking before surgery, stay quit for at least four to six more weeks (or forever if you can swing it!).
“Be sure to have a plan for avoiding smoking during your recovery period. Many times patients can be at greater risk for relapse because you have increased downtime while your recovering and boredom or anxiety can contribute to the desire to smoke”. ~ Steven H. Williams, MD
6. You should be able to go out in public in two weeks or less. You might want that concealer at this point to hide your residual bruising.
7. Some swelling, tightness, and numbness is normal for a couple weeks to several months after a facelift. Jonathan Kulbersh, MD, says that tightness is a good sign because it means the proper tissues were lifted.
8. Prolonged tightness lasting more than six weeks might require some sort of treatment, according to Nathan Mayl, MD. He says, “This can be done by massage, sometimes the temporary use of anti-inflammation medications, and some exercises.”
9. Know what to expect as far as scarring goes. Most well done incisions will flatten and narrow in time. “You can help minimize them by not smoking, avoiding unprotected sun exposure, and carefully avoiding infection. Scar massage and corticosteroids will also help reduce scarring.” Ross A. Cleven, MD
10. Enjoy your results and don't feel guilty about any of this! You've earned the right to treat yourself and be a more confident version of you.