Facelift Instructions
Before Surgery
See your internist or regular medical physician for a medical check-up about two weeks before surgery. An EKG while walking on a treadmill (stress test) is a useful test. Your preop laboratory testing can be done with your internist and the results faxed to us and to the hospital or your preop testing can be performed by the hospital, if you prefer.
Absolutely no smoking at least two weeks before surgery – the longer the better.
Cease all medications, vitamins, supplements two weeks before surgery except for medically essential medications (discuss these with us).
Cease all alcohol consumption four days before surgery.
Wash your hair/scalp/face/neck area thoroughly with an antibacterial soap/shampoo (e.g. Phisoderm) two days before surgery and the evening before surgery.
Get your prescriptions filled before surgery.
Obtain any desired comfort items for after surgery before surgery e.g. music relaxation, meditation tapes, comfortable clothes, pillows, recliner, anything that will give you more relaxation after surgery.
Obtain soft and liquid food items for after surgery consumption. Consider protein shake supplements.
Obtain Arnica, Bromelain and Pycgnogenol from a health food store before surgery (follow recommended dosages listed on the bottle). These items can help to reduce bruising and swelling after surgery.
Be well rested.
Plan on coming to the office the afternoon before surgery to review last minute questions you may have, to view your before surgery photos and just to help you relax a bit better.
After Surgery
The First Few Days
Rest quietly in bed for the first 48 hours. Keep your head elevated at all times on at least one pillow. The neck must be kept straight. Any flexion or bending of the neck must be avoided. One way to do this is to place the pillow(s) at the level of your shoulders.
Get up only, with assistance, to use the bathroom.
When lying in bed and relaxing, move your feet at the ankle level up and down to promote good circulation in your legs.
You should minimize any talking or facial expressions as this may start up bleeding.
You should plan to eat only liquid or soft foods in the first few days to avoid chewing.
Take your Arnica, Bromelain, Pycgnogenol (follow the dosages on the bottle), extra Vitamin (1000 mg) and one multivitamin per day. Avoid Aspirin or Vitamin E per se.
If your eyes were done, iced saline compresses on your eyes will help for the first 24 hours only.
Your eyes may be blurry, from an eye ointment placed at the time of surgery.
Only get out of bed with assistance in the first two days after surgery.
Do not turn your head. Keep your head still. You must turn your whole body if you wish to turn.
Avoid bending. If you have to bend, bend with your knees, keep your head and back straight. Do not lower your head.
Be very careful when putting on clothes over your head, such as t-shirts or sweaters. Avoid all contact with your face.
Expect to come to the office two days after your hospital discharge.
Leave your dressing alone. We will take care of everything in the office.
I f you had eyelids done, you may applied the supplied eye ointment along your sutures.
If you prefer not to, it is OK. We will do it in the office.
Early on, we will be communicating daily to go over your questions and anxieties.
After about five to seven days
After five days, you may shampoo your hair and do so daily thereafter.
Shower with lukewarm water. Never let the spray hit your face directly, only the back of your head.
Wash gently and carefully behind your ears but never pull on your ears.
Rinse well – no hot water.
Pat dry gently with a towel. Never use a hot blow dryer; cool air is OK.
Comb your hair gently. Very carefully untangle, if necessary.
Do not set your hair for two weeks with rollers, pins or anything else.
Make-up application is OK about one week after surgery.
No Glycolic acid or Retin-A application until two weeks after surgery.
Suture removal will commence around Day 5 after surgery and be completed by Day 10.
Males can shave with an electric shaver after one week.
Things to expect
Numbness in the facial, ear and neck region is usual and resolves as healing progresses over the next few months.
Obvious bruising and swelling is quite variable. Both subside over two to three weeks. Arnica and Bromelain and Pycgnogenol help to move the resolution along.
Your face and neck may feel quite tight and stiff. This also will improve as healing progresses.
Restrictions
No exercise or any other exertional activity for three weeks.
No driving for about ten days.
No flying for about ten days.
No ear rings for two weeks.
No direct sun exposure for four weeks – use protective hat and sun block.
No facial manipulation for four weeks (facials, peels, injections and the like)
No dental work for four weeks (unless there is an emergency)
No hair coloring or perms for four weeks.
If any question is not covered by the above, by all means, please ask it. You will be seen in the office frequently after surgery. There is every opportunity to have all your questions addressed.