The Ultimate Guide to Prepare for Facelift Surgery

From finding the right face lift surgeon and the recovery process, we have outlined some helpful tips to help you prepare for your face lift journey. We wish you the best experience and hope you find this page helpful so you can approach your procedure with confidence and peace of mind.

The Face List Guide How to Prepare for Facelift Surgery

1. F

Fill the Frig

As with any surgical procecure, maintaining a healthy diet before and after is essential. Keep in mind that those canned soups we have grown to love are often full of sodium which can increase blood pressure. In turn, an increase in blood pressure has been known to increase bruising and swelling.

2. A

Avoid Aspirin

Approximately 2 weeks prior to your scheduled surgery date, your surgeon MAY ask you to refrain from taking any blood thinning medications. Please consult with your surgeon well in advance.

3. C

Cut, Color & Curls

Since you will not be able to get your hair done immediately following your facelift surgery, consider getting your hair done a week or two before.

4. E

Extra Pillows

Prepare for your sleeping comfort with a variety of pillows to keep you elevated. Many patients have reported using a neck travel pillow to assist with neck comfort and preventing any unwanted side sleeping that could unwantedly place pressure on the surgical site.



5. L

Loose Clothing

Once upon a time there was a facelift patient who forgot to protect her ears as she was removing a turtleneck shirt. As she pulled the shirt over her head, the skirt got caught on her earlobes, pulling upward and literally pulled out a few stitches. Her shirt was ruined and she had to make a mad dash to her surgeon's office. That being said, we highly recommend button-up shirts, and no turtlenecks for a few weeks following surgery.

6. I

Ice Packs

Your surgeon will advise on the use of ice packs following surgery, but keep in mind to not make the ice packs too heavy. One favorite option has been the use of large cotton rounds soaked in a clean bowl of ice water. The cotton rounds get nice and cold in the iced water and can be discarded after each use. As always, consult with your surgeon if this method will work for you.

7. S

Supplements

Vitamins and herbal supplements have been found to help with recovery. Please consult with your doctor on which ones they recommend according to your medical history.

8. T

Transportation

Arranging for someone to drive you to and from surgery is not only recommended, but may be a requirement of the surgical facility. Most facilities do not allow for patients to leave with someone whom they are not acquainted with such as a driving service or taxi. Please plan to have someone to not only drive you to and from the surgery center, but be available to drive you to the doctor's office for any post-operative visits the first week or two.

Helpful Tips for Preparing for Facelift

• Plan to Rest

  Don’t plan on doing anything taxing for a week because you may become tired and want to close your eyes sooner than you normally do. You may find that watching TV is also a strain. You may also experience some facial pain during the first couple of days. You can count on some bruising, swelling, and being tired. You can count on some discomfort for the first couple of days, but if you don’t have that, what a nice surprise!

• Find a Caretaker

  Make sure you have a positive companion taking care of you for the first few days following your surgery. Most surgeons require their patients to not be alone for the first 24 hours following your surgery. Make sure your caretaker is someone who will be supportive of your decision to have cosmetic surgery. The emotional stages patients experience following surgery affects the caretaker too.

• Stop all nicotine use

  Face lift surgery patient should stop smoking, vaping and/or using any nicotine product at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. Tobacco replacement products and electronic cigarettes should cease two weeks prior to your scheduled surgery date as well due to the nicotine in these products being equivalent to the nicotine in tobacco. Nicotine use has been medically proven to increase swelling, bleeding, bruising, as well as prolong healing. Nicotine use is very obvious to experienced facelift surgeons. Patients who do not cease nicotine use experience delayed healing as the incisions appear raw with unattractive, yellow crystal-like scabs that further increase risk for infection.

• Review Pre and Post Surgical Vitamin Supplements with Your Surgeon

  Facial surgery patients should consider a daily vitamin regimen prior to surgery. Do not take additional Vitamin E products other than the recommended daily allowance. Large doses of Vitamin E prior to surgical procedures have been proven to actually inhibit the body’s ability to heal.

• Consider Herbal Supplements

  In conjunction with daily vitamins, your Faceliftology® surgeon may recommend the use of two herbal supplements that help reduce bruising and swelling: Bromelain and Arnica.

• Plan a Healthy Diet

  Do plan to have plenty of food that will be easy for you and your caretaker to prepare. Extra movies and books on tape have been very popular with previous patients.

• Consider Post Operative Sun Protection

  Facelift patients should also consider a variety of hats, scarves, and oversized sunglasses for those outings to the doctor's office. Hats should not be tight as to irritate any incisions around and behind the ear. A top recommended item by previous facelift patients is a travel pillow. A U-shaped travel pillow that curves around the neck is ideal while sleeping to keep you from rolling over on your side.

• Review All Medications with Your Surgeon Before Surgery

  Two weeks prior to your scheduled surgery date, you need to make sure you avoid medications that contain aspirin, ibuprofen & other certain medications. Taking these medications prior to surgery increases bleeding, bruising, swelling, and could cause anesthetic issues. The following is a detailed listing of medications to avoid prior to surgery. Please consult with your physician before ceasing any prescribed medications.

How do I prepare my face for a facelift?

Your face lift surgeon may provide you with a skincare regimen to prepare your skin for your facial procedure. Many facial plastic surgery specialists recommend a skin care preparation that includes retinol or Retin A. Retinol skincare products are widely known among skincare professionals for their rejuvenating qualities that exfoliate the skin of old layers of skin that contribute to poor texture and skin tone.

Your doctor may recommend a pre-surgical skincare plan that includes retinol, or a prescription strength Retin A. Ask your doctor what they recommend to help prepare your face for your face lift procedure.