I am going to have a neck lift and lower facelift. How long should I wear the compression bandage? (photos)

Thank you for the fantastic question. As with many things in life, when the advice and recommendations are inconsistent, it means that the data supporting any specific approach is weak. Generally speaking, some mild compression is useful after face and neck lift to reduce the collection of dependent edema (tissue fluid that settles because of gravity). This can lead to a little faster recovery and is analogous to the dressings worn by women who have had mastectomy with lymph node dissection and suffer arm swelling. Basically, the garment is trying to help push fluid into the circulatory system rather than letting it pool in the tissues. That said, these garments do NOT prevent hematoma (bleeding) and exert relatively little influence on the healing process. What is more important is the surgery technique and following the recommended activity restrictions after surgery. Lastly, it is essential to understand that wearing the garment very tightly is actually NOT more helpful -- this can restrict blood flow to the skin and cause severe problems with healing. Best of luck and take care!

Thank you for your question.   There  is not one universal answer.  Some physicians   recommend them and some surgeons including myself don’t used them or recommended.

I no longer use compression garments after a facelift because they provide little benefit and can sometimes be detrimental.  In my practice, a dressing is placed for the first night and removed on postop day 1.  Some initial compression is useful, largely as a behavior suppression device, but prolonged compression can lead to blood flow issues. With the advent of tranexamic acid use in facelifts, bleeding is minimized.  This combined with meticulous technique, blood pressure control, and appropriate use of suction drains helps minimize formation of hematomas (the most common early complication of facelift).  The best thing you can do as a patient is follow the instructions and avoid bending over and lifting per your Surgeon's instructions. 

I always tell my patients  it's the patients who follow my instructions exactly that heal the quickest. I am sure the same applies to your surgeon. Every surgeon has their own way of making sure that recovery goes well. This comes with experience. If you trust your surgeon enough to let them operate on your face, you should trust them enough to follow their postop instructions and not deviate from what they tell you. 

Thank you for your question. Facelift surgery does not necessarily require use of bandages. Many surgeons do, however, used bandage aiming to reduce bruising. I personally do not use bandages for my facelift patients. Instead, I take a little extra time during the operation to ensure small areas of bleeding have been carefully cauterised. Bandages do not always necessarily prevent possible swelling. I do not use bandage or drains and have pioneered The Concept Facelift, having a 0% incident rate of hematoma.  It is important to focus more on the results of your surgeon as illustrated in their pre & post operative facelift patients. Do you like their results, will the surgeon meet your expectations, is the facility where you are going to have your surgery performed accredited? These might be much more important. I do not think the use of drains /bandages or not drains/bandages would reflect the surgeons ability.   All The Best

You
may be getting varied answers from different surgeons because each patient is
different and it is hard to pin-point the exact time frame you will need to
keep the compression bandage on. Generally, most patients in my practice
keep the bandage on for 1 week after a lower facelift or necklift,
but again it all depends on how you recover post-surgery. I believe a
pressure dressing will limit bruising, swelling, and speed a patient’s
recovery. II suggest to first find a board-certified facial plastic
surgeon that can provide you with a comprehensive consultation. After examining
you, he or she may be able to give you a more accurate answer. I hope this
helps.

Thank you for your question and photos. This one is sort of easy in that surgeons tend to be creatures of habit and each has there own regimen for postoperative care. Once you choose a surgeon you would be best to follow their advice.They assume you are strictly following there orders and will make changes to your care based on this premise. Some surgeons use compression while others don't. A third group has no hard fast rule and uses them when they feel they are indicated; prolonged swelling. We see a similar argument regarding the use of routine drains in facelifting. I would review your proposed postoperative plan with your surgeon and have this question addressed. It is important to follow their orders for you to get the safest and best outcomeBest of LuckDrG

Individual surgeons have different preferences about procedures.You should check with your plastic surgeon with regard to particular post-operative recommendations and follow all of her or his instructions. The plastic surgeon should  be
certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).  

Robert Singer, MD
FACSLa Jolla,
California

 In our practice, we do not use any compression bandages at all, since they're uncomfortable, painful and don't really do anything for the patient. During the lower face and neck lift, we insert 2 small drains that are left in place for the first 24 hours. The the drains themselves accomplish removal of blood and serous fluid from underneath the skin, so compression bandages are totally unnecessary. In addition, the drains remove blood from underneath the skin decreasing the amount of bruising so patients are able to get back to their social environment sooner. For many examples  and more information, please see the video and the link below

Every surgeon has their own opinion regarding the compression garment.  Occasionally I will use one depending on the needs of the patient.  The most important thing is to follow your surgeon's post operative instructions for a good outcome.