Recovery is often one of the main concerns for women and men who come in for facelift consultations at our Atlanta practice. What they might be surprised to hear is that the key to a comfortable and convenient recovery is planning ahead.
Patients can prepare for a facelift by taking steps that will help them feel confident on the day of surgery and in control during the recovery. These simple preparations can make a big difference.
In this blog post, we’ve created a timeline that can serve as a guide for you to prepare for facelift surgery.
One Month Prior
Many patients think about getting plastic surgery for months before making their decisions. Once you’ve decided to have a facelift, you should start researching the procedure and plastic surgeons. Begin your research no later than a month before you expect to schedule a consultation, and there’s no harm to start your research several months earlier.
This can involve looking at before-and-after photos of a surgeon’s actual patients, reviewing the doctor’s website and blog posts, and going to sites such as RealSelf to read reviews that patients have posted there.
You’ll also want to be in the best health possible, so adjust your lifestyle if necessary. Exercise and eat a healthy diet. If you’re a smoker, Dr. Jarmuz requires all patients to stop smoking 4 weeks prior to the surgery because nicotine can restrict blood flow and increase the chance of complications.
2 Weeks Prior
This is the point where many patients start feeling an increased mix of excitement and a bit of anxiety. We suggest making a list of steps you need to complete so you don’t forget something. Among the preparations to make at this point are:
- Schedule some time off from work.
- Stop taking over-the-counter pain relief medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), because they can make it more difficult to stop bleeding.
- Apply sunscreen daily. If this isn’t already a habit, you’ll want to make it one because sunscreen will prolong the results of your facelift.
- Boost your vitamin C intake. Increasing the amount of vitamin C you take daily 2 weeks before surgery can help you recover more quickly.
- Make travel arrangements. You’ll need someone to drive you to the surgery and back home again. You should also have someone remain with you for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
- Prepare a recovery space. This is the part where you can ensure your recovery is as comfortable as possible. Create an area with easy access to the bathroom and stock it with health snacks, water, pillows, blankets, and comfortable clothes that don’t pull over the head. Have the TV remote, books, or mobile devices handy.
1 Week Prior
During your last week, you’ll probably be quite excited and counting the hours until surgery. Here are some things that you should do during these last few days:
- Avoid alcohol. Drinking alcoholic beverages in the days before surgery can increase the risk of complications.
- If you regularly dye, highlight, or perm your hair, schedule a salon appointment for the week before surgery. We don’t recommend getting this type of hairdressing done until your recovery is complete.
- Run any last-minute errands you may have. Make sure your bills are paid and that you have some pre-cooked meals in the refrigerator.
Planning ahead will help return home prepared for your recovery so you can fully rest and achieve the optimal outcome you desire.
If you’re considering a facelift and have questions, book now online or call our office at (404) 233-3937.
Leave a Reply