Now that you have selected an accomplished plastic surgeon and set a date for your facelift, you may be wondering how you can prepare for your facelift operation. While your plastic surgeon should be able to answer any specific questions you might have, these five dos and don’ts of facelift prep can be a good place to start.
Do have realistic expectations
While you are probably excited to see the results of your facelift, it’s important to be able to keep your expectations reasonable. First, remember that a facelift isn’t going to drastically change your appearance. In reality, most people won’t be able to put their finger on what’s different about you only that you look to revitalize and refresh. But this reaction is the true mark of a good facelift since you don’t want to look fake or “done.” Second, bear in mind that you will not see the final result immediately, so be prepared to go through the healing process with an open mind and some patience.
Don’t smoke
As if you wanted another excuse to stop smoking, this habit will greatly impair your body’s ability to recover after surgery and may raise your risk of complications during the operation. Check with your plastic surgeon on his or her suggestions about how much to stop smoking in advance of your facelift. The general advice is to stop smoking at least four weeks before and for four weeks after surgery.
Do be transparent about medications
Your plastic surgeon should inform you about any medicine you are currently taking. It’s best to be as open and honest with him or her while going through this detail to ensure your safety and help you get the best results from facelifting. Don’t forget that vitamins and herbal supplements often qualify as normal medicines, as some can serve as blood thinners and should therefore not be taken before surgery. Just some of the medications and supplements that you’ll need to stop taking several weeks before your facelift includes: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q-10, Saint John’s wort
Don’t shorten the process of recovery
As tempting as it might be to try and rush straight back to your daily routine after your facelift, you just need to take some time off and do nothing but relax and recover. At the end of the day, speeding your recovery would just increase the risk of complications and slow down your body’s healing process. The phase of facelift recovery can vary from person to person, but generally speaking, you should be able to cover most symptoms of facelift surgery with makeup within about 10 days of your operation. Still, plan to take 1 to 2 weeks off work and avoid strenuous physical exercise for around 3 weeks. When going back to work or an intense workout schedule, check-in with your plastic surgeon to make sure your body is up to it and you’re on the right track for a smooth recovery.
Do plan ahead
You will make the healing process as stress-free as possible by doing some quick prep work ahead of time. First, do your research because reading the facts on facelift before your treatment will help you know more about what to expect. Next, make sure you have another adult around you who can support you with your regular household tasks, such as laundry, washing, grocery shopping, and pet care. Finally make yourself a comfortable relaxation zone, complete with pillows, blankets, movies, books, crossword puzzles, and other entertainment to keep you occupied while you’re recovering.
