If you have decided you want a facelift, there are some important steps you need to take and things you should know before lay down on some surgeon’s table and give someone with a knife access to your face.
Your first priority is to find a plastic surgeon with a good reputation for being an expert in his or her field, great with his or her hands and for being trustworthy. Choose someone who is a member of the ASPS. These surgeons have to have at least five years of surgical experience and at least two years of plastic surgery experience. They are trained in every type of procedure, practice in accredited facilities, continue to educate themselves and are board certified by the ABPS - American Board of Plastic Surgery.
For your initial consultation, your surgeon will get some background about your health, discuss your options with you, take measurements, get a picture for your records, tell you about the risks and complications and give you information about the anesthesia they will be using.
Before You Go in for Surgery
Get cleared by your doctor with a full medical work up.
Follow the guidelines given to you concerning medications you should and should not be taking during the time before surgery.
Do not have this surgery if you smoke. If you do smoke right now, quit a month or more prior to having the surgery. This is important because those who smoke often experience necrosis - the skin literally dies.
Stay away from anti-inflammatory medications and herbal supplements prior to having surgery as these can thin the blood and possibly cause you to lose too much blood during surgery.
Follow all of your doctor’s instructions to the letter.
Post Surgery
Recovery from facelift surgery will take a few weeks and the swelling may not be completely gone until six months after surgery.
When you go out in the sun, stay well protected. What good does it do to have surgery to look younger and then go out and let the sun age your skin?
Watch for possible complications and refer to the information given to you by your doctor. If you have reason to suspect that something is wrong, call the doctor immediately.
