You’ve decided the time has come to have a facelift procedure performed. You’re sick of looking in the mirror and seeing a tired, aged reflection looking back. Now that you have decided that cosmetic surgery is the best choice for you, it’s time to start preparing for your procedure with a renowned facial plastic surgeon. Qualified board-certified plastic surgeons provide all of their patients with the following recommendations in preparation for their respective facelifts procedures.
Finding Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons
Board-certified plastic surgeons have earned their reputation as the best places to have cosmetic work done. Board-certified facial plastic surgeons prides themselves on the many different options they offer their patients. For example, patients who want to look young and full of life once more can have a liquid facelift done or a mini facelift performed. However, in addition to these up-and-coming procedures, professional plastic surgeons also offer the traditional surgical facelift procedure for prospective patients who want to take the tried and true cosmetic surgery route.
The traditional facelift procedure is completed by the surgeon and aims to reduce the impact of aging on a person’s face. The goal of the surgery is two-fold; first, the surgeon will remove excess skin, and second, the surgeon will tighten the muscles in the face to preserve the desired results. The result is a patient who naturally appears nearly a decade younger than he or she did before having the procedure. It is a priority of professional cosmetic surgeons to ensure that every patient is treated as an individual, and he takes into account factors such as ethnicity and lifestyle when completing a traditional facelift procedure.
Be Honest About Your Medical History
The plastic surgeon will need to know all of the facts about your medical history. This includes informing them of any pre-existing conditions, medications you are currently taking, or any prior surgical procedures that you have had performed. All of these factors are taken into consideration as they craft a custom surgical plan for your facelift.
Expect a Physical Exam
A plastic surgeon will typically perform a physical exam during the initial consultation appointment. This exam helps them determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure and also helps them create a plan of action that will specifically meet your needs.
Be Prepared to Tell the Surgeon What You Expect from Your Results
Chances are you have a vision in your head of what you want to look like after the operation. While board-certified plastic surgeons are highly-skilled at facial plastic surgery, they are not able to read minds. Therefore, it’s important that all patients are upfront and honest about what they expect from the surgery.
Avoid Certain Medications
Once you have set a date for your surgery, you must avoid taking certain medications and supplements in the two weeks leading up to the operation. For example, do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, or certain herbal supplements before your surgery. These medications and supplements are known to cause increased bleeding, which is dangerous during any type of surgical procedure.
Don’t Eat In the Hours Leading Up to the Procedure
Most plastic surgeons mandate that patients avoid eating after midnight the night before their facelift surgery is scheduled. It’s essential that all patients are on an empty stomach for their operation. It helps patients to manage the anesthesia that they are given for the operation.
Most patients who have this surgery done can have it completed using a local anesthetic. This can make patients a bit uneasy, but the best surgeons want patients to know that they work with only the best surgical teams. They have experience keeping patients calm and comfortable during the operation, ensuring the best results possible for the patient. The average patient is between the ages of 40 and 70 and has begun to show signs of aging on their face.
Bathe Properly Prior to the Operation
Patients are required to wash both their face and their hair the night before the procedure and should also repeat the process again the morning of the surgery.
Make Recovery Arrangements
As anesthesia is used during the facelift operation, patients are not able to drive immediately following the operation. Make sure someone is ready to drive you home from the surgery and is prepared to take care of you for the first several days following the operation. Facelift patients must rest, stay hydrated, and keep their heads elevated for several days. It is essential to have someone available to not only take care of you but also to take care of other responsibilities such as the house, pets, or children.
Facelift patients need to be aware that there will be a short period of recovery after the surgery is completed, and resting during this period is essential to long-term success. Most patients will need to rest for 4-7 days after the operation. There will be some pain after the surgery is finished, but experienced plastic surgeons are typically able to help patients manage their pain levels through oral pain medication. It is recommended that patients keep their heads slightly elevated after the procedure in order to reduce swelling in the face. Patients should remember that their newly-stretched skin is especially vulnerable, and sunscreen should be worn, at all times, to prevent burns