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BEFORE SURGERY
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Avoid sunbathing for 2 weeks prior to surgery.
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Quit smoking at least 2 weeks prior to surgery as nicotine can impair and delay healing.
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Stop all aspirin containing products, medications that contain blood thinners (Motrin, Advil etc.) vitamin E and herbal supplements 2 weeks prior to surgery. You can take 1 multivitamin a day.
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Make sure all requested labs and doctor's clearance are delivered to our office on time.
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If you colour your hair it is recommended to do that just prior to surgery as you will not be able to colour your hair until 4 weeks after your operation.
THINGS TO PURCHASE BEFORE SURGERY
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Medications.
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Garment. Your aftercare garment will be supplied to you on the day of your procedure.
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Gauze. Make sure to have a box of 4x4 gauze. You can purchase at drug store.
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Hydrocortisone Cream 1%. Over the counter at any drug store.
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Arnica (optional). - www.alpinepharm.com - may decrease bruising, or help it to go away faster. People with high blood pressure should not take Arnica.
THE DAY OF SURGERY
- Do note eat anything for 8 hours and drink for 6 hours before surgery.
- You may brush and rinse your teeth, but do not eat or drink anything.
- Shower and shampoo your hair dry, if possible pull it back into a pony tail.
- Cleanse your face and especially your ears. Do not wear makeup or moisturisers on your face or eyes. Men should shave their face.
- Do not bring any jewellery or valuables with you on the day of surgery.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Wear flat, comfortable shoes. Remove contact lenses, dentures and all jewellery.
- Someone must drive you home and stay with you the first night.
- Take 2 pills of Zofran and 2 pills of Celebrex at 1-2 hours before your surgery.
- Bring all your prescribed medications to the surgery centre if you are staying over night.
- Arrive 1-1.5 hours prior to your scheduled surgery time as instructed at your pre-op.
AFTER SURGERY
The procedure itself will take about 3 to 4 hours but may take longer if other procedures are also being done.
- It is very important not to become nauseated after surgery and / or vomit. To prevent this take Zofran as directed.
- Listen to your body. If you are tired, rest. Discomfort during recovery is often a sign of overexertion.
- Rest and sleep in a reclined position at approximately 45 degrees. Use ice packs, frozen finely broken up peas or corn constantly for at least the first 3 days, 15 minutes on 15 minutes off. Do not put ice directly onto skin because you will have decreased sensitivity.
- We will remove all dressings the next day. Afterward you may shower with cool water, gently wash your hair, apply generous amounts of both shampoo and conditioner. Gently wash the entire face with soap and water. Do not try to remove all blood with the first washing. Reapply garment after shower.
- You must wait one month before colouring or perming your hair.
- Avoid direct exposure of incision to sunlight for at least 6 weeks, apply sunscreen (at least SPF 15) to the area of the incision if you will be in the sun for extended periods of time.
- Do not smoke for at least 2 weeks after surgery.
- Do not use aspirin-containing products for at least 1 week. You may take Tylenol or pain medication as prescribed.
- Do not apply any cosmetics for the first 5 days. The day after surgery start applying hydrocortisone 1% to face for 1 week twice a day.
- Do not put any ointments or creams on incision lines unless instructed.
- Do not do any strenuous aerobic activity for 6 weeks after surgery.
WHAT TO EXPECT AS YOU RECOVER
- Immediately after surgery, some clients feel groggy or nauseous. These feelings normally subside by the next day.
- Remember, face lifting is a very emotional procedure, because it involves the most visible part of your body. It is not uncommon to become very emotional or sometimes even depressed for the first 1-2 weeks. This will go away when the swelling goes away.
- Post surgical swelling may temporarily cause the look of unevenness, skin changes, hard spots, and ridges.
- Most bruising will fade after the second week. After the first week much of the remaining discolouration can be concealed with a cream-based cosmetic.
- Most stitches will dissolve within 7 days; some might need to be removed at 2-3 weeks.
- Pink scars will eventually fade to an unnoticeable colour.
- Your healing incision lines may itch a little. Avoid scratching them. Apply hydrocortisone.
- You may experience some numbness for up to one year. Remember not to put ice or anything hot directly onto skin because you may have decreased awareness of temperature damage.
WHEN TO CALL US
Post surgical complications are rare and are often easily solved by the doctor if you notify us. Call us if you experience any of the following: a temperature of 38 C or higher, increased local redness or warmth, chest pain, shortness of breath, legs swelling or calf pain or if you feel that anything might be wrong. The evening after surgery it is important to look if one side of the face is more firm and swollen than the other. This might represent a blood collection; we should be informed about it immediately.
POST-OP VISITS AND CARE SUMMARY
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Concern
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Instructions
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Blood Clot
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- It is important to walk at least every 2 hours while you're awake to prevent blood clotting - do not over do it. Right after surgery you will be instructed to walk around every 1 hour. Avoid stairs.
- Pay specific attention to leg swelling. If you notice swelling on only one leg or calf pain contact the office.
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| Fluid Collection |
- The evening after surgery it is important to look if one side of the face is more firm and swollen than the other. this might represent a blood collection.
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| Drain Function |
- Empty drain every 8 hours or when it becomes more than half full and write down amount of drainage.
- Drains come out at about 2-3 days, depending of amount of drainage.
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Constipation
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- If you are constipated at day 2 stop taking Vicodin or Darvocet.
- Encourage walking, drink a lot of fluids, consider laxative (Ex-lax or Correctol).
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Fever
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- Make sure to cough and deep breaths as fever is usually in lungs for the first 3 days after surgery.
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Garment Placement
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- You will have a big bulky dressing for the first day. You will receive garment at your first postoperative visit. It should be worn for 10 days 24/7 and then at night for one month. Make sure that the garment doesn't irritate your skin and is not too tight on the ears.
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Activity
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- You can take a cool shower the day after. Hold drain(s) in shower and allow clean water to run over drain entrance into the body. Make sure you have someone helping you. Apply generous amounts of both shampoo and conditioner. Gently wash the entire face with soap and water. Do not try to remove all blood with the first washing. Reapply garment after shower.
- Walk every hour while awake for the first day and then every 2 hours.
- Sleep at 45 degree angle for the first 5 nights.
- Regarding exercise: If it hurts don't do it. Wait for your body to tell you what you can do.
- You can start exercising at about 6 weeks.
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Wound Care
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- Your gauze will be changed at your follow up visit.
- Makes sure your garment is placed correctly.
- Keep surgical area clean and dry at all times.
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Recovery time
The majority of the swelling and bruising will resolve in about 3 weeks. Complete resolution of the swelling takes about 6-8 weeks. Most people return to work in about 3-4 weeks.
Possible complications
The most common complication after face lifting is inadequate resuspension of the facial tissues. The cause of this is usually because the facial fat has faded away with time so that it is not available for re-suspension. In this case, it may be beneficial to transplant fat into the areas where it no longer exists. This is rarely necessary. Other risks include asymmetry, nerve injury, infection, blood and fluid collection, and unfavourable scarring. A list of possible complications will be discussed with you during your consultation.
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Facelift prices are indicative. A price for your specific needs will be quoted to you at your free consultation. Financing is available for liposuction procedures. Liposuction consultations are available at all our London based clinics.
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