Facelift surgery is one of the most dramatic procedures for looking younger. However, to obtain the safest and most satisfactory results, a patient must pay close attention to the recovery process. Here’s everything you need to know about the facelift recovery period and what you need to do to stay safe and achieve an excellent outcome.
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is a plastic surgery procedure that tightens and removes any sagging skin on the face and neck. Most facelifts are performed for people between the ages of 40 and 65, but older patients may also be suitable candidates for this cosmetic surgery.
During this procedure:
- Facial muscles may be surgically tightened to improve their tone
- Excess fat is removed or repositioned
- Any folds or wrinkles will be smoothed out
- Signs of aging are reduced by improving the contours of the face and neck
Depending on your aesthetic goals and needs, a facelift can be combined with other plastic surgeries, such as a brow lift, eyelid surgery, or nose surgery, or it can be undertaken at the same time as non-surgical treatments such as chemical peels or skin resurfacing. During a consultation, your plastic surgeon can advise on the best treatment plan for you.
Customized Facelift Surgery at Our Kelowna Private Hospital
At our Kelowna private hospital, our team of board-certified plastic surgeons has years of experience and training in a range of cosmetic surgery procedures, including face, breast, and body contouring surgeries. Whatever your needs, we can create a customized treatment plan that will give you the safest and most satisfactory results.
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5 Tips for a Quick and Safe Facelift Recovery
Recovery from plastic surgeries such as facelifts is easier than ever these days. With the help of a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon, incisions are placed in easily concealable locations and they are closed in a way that facilitates minimal pain, swelling, or bleeding. However, it is still as important as ever that you follow your plastic surgeon’s pre and postoperative instructions carefully to ensure the safest outcome from your facelift procedure.
Here are five tips to help you achieve a quick and safe recovery from your face surgery:
1. Make Sure You Plan Ahead
The best thing you can do to ensure your recovery period goes smoothly is to plan ahead. Remember, even the most normal and mundane tasks can feel difficult in the days following your surgery. Some things you should do include:
- Schedule a friend or family member to drive you home after the surgery and stay by your side for at least 24-48 hours
- Make sure that most of your weekly tasks are taken care of ahead of time
- Plan to have any childcare or pet care lined up for a few weeks following your surgery
Remember, during the recovery period, your number one goal should be to rest. During your consultation, your plastic surgeon can provide more in-depth information on how to adequately plan for your cosmetic procedure.
4 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE HAVING A FACELIFT
2. Quit Smoking
Before you consider any cosmetic surgery, you must remember that smoking and surgery do not mix. Smoking will reduce blood flow and can cause complications, such as a higher risk of infection, during your healing process.
If you do smoke, your plastic surgeon will advise that you stop smoking for a minimum of two weeks prior to your surgery, as well as for the entire duration of the recovery period. This is something you must be prepared to do if you want to undergo facelift surgery.
Smoking and aging: Not only is quitting smoking excellent for your overall health, but it will also keep you looking younger. Smoking has been shown to damage your skin and may lead to sagging, premature aging, skin cancer, and uneven skin tone.
3. Avoid Certain Medications
In most cases, taking any medication that is considered to be a blood thinner is a definite no-no before and after your surgery. This includes any over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
During your consultation, make sure you tell your plastic surgeon what medications you are currently on and they can best advise you on which ones you should and shouldn’t be taking prior to your facelift.
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4. Drink Lots of Fluids
Water is key to keeping your skin healthy and youthful-looking, so staying hydrated before and after your surgery is very important. Following your facelift, your plastic surgeon may recommend drinking upwards of eight glasses of water a day to facilitate a quick and easy recovery.
5. Be Patient With Your Body
This is a key point to remember. While you may feel ready to get back to your normal routine as early as 5-10 days after your surgery, more strenuous activities must be put off for a little while longer.
Why is this so important? Pushing yourself too hard, too soon, can prolong the healing process and increase your risk for excessive scarring.
Call Today
To find out more about the costs and benefits of a facelift surgery at our Kelowna private hospital, and how our team of board-certified plastic surgeons can help ensure that you achieve the safest and most satisfactory results from your cosmetic procedure, contact us at 250-868-9799 or fill in our online form.
