Prepare for Facelift Surgery by Adhering to Pre-operative Instructions
As patients reach a certain age, many begin to notice undesirable signs of aging. Loose, sagging skin, creases, and wrinkles can all make a patient appear much older than he or she feels on the inside. Most of these effects appear first on the face, especially the lower portion of the face, where gravity and environmental factors have a great effect. For these patients, a facelift can lift and tighten the skin of the lower face to reduce signs of aging and create a more youthful, refreshed appearance. In order to help ensure the success of surgery, we provide our Buffalo patients with pre-operative facelift instructions that will adequately prepare the patient for surgery. Adherence to these instructions is imperative to the ultimate success of the facelift procedure.
One Month Prior to Surgery
Preparation for facelift surgery will actually begin several weeks before the procedure. A month prior to surgery, patients should begin planning for a ride to and from the hospital as well as a friend or family member to stay with them the 24 hours following surgery. For patients who smoke, it will be important to refrain from smoking and the use of nicotine one month prior to surgery.
Two Weeks Prior to Surgery
A couple of weeks before surgery, it is important to cease the use of aspirin and other pain medication that can thin the blood or interfere with blood clotting. Tylenol may still be used at this point for pain relief. The use of any herbal medication, vitamins and fish oil should also be discontinued at this point. Any specific prescription medication use should be discussed with Dr. Sherris so that explicit instructions can be provided.
One Week Prior to Surgery
The week leading up to facelift surgery is an important time of preparation. This is the ideal time to stock up on supplies that will be needed during recovery, fill prescriptions that will be used during recovery, and set up a comfortable recovery area, including lots of comfortable pillows, as it will be important to rest with the head slightly elevated during recovery. If any signs of illness appear in the week leading up to surgery, they should be reported to Dr. Sherris immediately, as they may require a rescheduling of the facelift.
The Night Before and Day of Surgery
The night before surgery and the morning of are the final stages of preparation. These 24 hours are very important to ensuring that the body is in the ideal condition to undergo surgery. The following instructions should be carefully followed:
- Refrain from eating or drinking after midnight on the night before surgery
- Take a shower the night before surgery
- On the morning of surgery, refrain from wearing any lotions, make-up, or other cosmetic products
- Dress simply and comfortably on the morning of surgery, preferably in loose clothing that can be removed without being pulled over the head
- Refrain from wearing jewelry or bringing expensive valuables to the surgical appointment
- Patients who wear contact lenses should not do so on the day of surgery. Glasses should be worn instead
- Do not take any medication on the day of surgery that has not been previously discussed with Dr. Sherris
Schedule an Appointment
If you are interested in learning more about the facelift procedure and how to successfully prepare for surgery, we are happy to answer any questions you may have. We invite you to schedule an appointment with Dr. David Sherris to discuss your cosmetic goals and learn if you are an ideal candidate for facelift surgery. We look forward to hearing from you!