PRE-OPERATIVE
- Provide us with your medical history and lab exams
- Discontinue using Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naprosyn, and Vitamin E for one week before and a few days after your procedure as these act as blood thinners
- Stop smoking for at least two weeks prior and one after the surgery as nicotine can impair circulation and healing
- Avoid sun exposure as not to irritate the skin
SURGERY
It is usually performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or general. It may take up to four hours or longer depending if it will be done together with other procedures. Incisions in a traditional Face Lift begin above the hairline and the templates, extend in a natural line in front of the ear (or just inside the cartilage in front of the ear) and circle back within the hairline. If combined with a Brow Lift, a coronal incision will be used well behind the hairline so that the scar won’t be visible. For a Neck Lift, incisions are confined to behind the ears or under the surface of the chin, being a liposuction used when fat removal is necessary. Your head will be bandaged for twenty four hours to minimize bruising and swelling.
POST SURGERY
Some bruising, swelling and the feeling of tightness should be expected together with a loss of sensation in the treated area. These will subside significantly within a week or two. Some stitches will be absorbed naturally and others will be removed seven and fifteen days post surgery. Recovery process varies from person to person but within a day you should be up and walking around. You may bath as long as the dressings are kept dry after you shower. Resume mild physical activities such as walking, after twenty days, hydro gymnastics after thirty days and high impact exercises sixty days following surgery.
SUMARY
- Surgery length: 3 or 4 hours
- Anaesthesia: local with sedation or general
- Clinic or hospital internment: 1 night as inpatient
- Post surgery: head bandaging for 24 hours and stitches removed after 7 and 15 days
- Physical activities: resume after 4 to 6 weeks
