Facelift
Tips
Expert advice for a stress-free facelift
experience.
YOU
are ready for a facelift IF:
- YOU want
to improve the contours of your aging neck, cheeks, jowls
- YOU have
enough excess skin and facial laxity for the investment in time, money,
and discomfort to be worth it to YOU
- YOU have
done your homework, asked the right questions, and found a good surgeon
YOU are NOT ready for a facelift:
- Because
your husband/boyfriend/mother/sister say you are
- Because
you are hitting 4O or 50 or 6O
- Because
you think the facelift itself will solve any of your problems
Get your
SKIN in top condition before surgery; i.e., Retinoids, VitaminC,
deep cleansing facials, and never leave home without your sunscreen of
20SPF or higher.
Make sure your surgeon knows how you wear your HAIR, so wherever
there is some flexibility, he can place his incisions accordingly. And
don't cut your hair super short right before a facelift Wendy's Law -
the patient with the shortest hairstyle is always the one who takes the
longest to heal. A few extra locks of hair can work wonders in camouflaging
a stubborn bruise or raised scar as it heals. Plus, a great way to deflect
attention from your new face, is a new hair style.
ARNICA MONTANA, a homeopathic medicine, can be helpful to reduce
post-surgical bruising & swelling - the new "industrial strength"
version is, SinEcch available without prescription 1-888-SINECCH.
AVOID the usual medications your doctor will advise you about (Aspirin,
lbuprofen, Vitamin E), and also ask your doctor about stopping diet pills,
diuretics, garlic pills, ginseng, hormone replacement therapy, alcohoI,
multi-vitamins containing Vitamin E. Some natural supplements can be contraindicated
before surgery. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR.
Although many surgeons will still do your facelift if you are a SMOKER,
take advantage of this opportunity to get on the road to a nicotine-free
life. Most surgeons will be more cautious and conservative, and may not
feel they can give you as aggressive a lift. And as a smoker, your beautiful
facelift won't last as long (5 -7years, instead of a possible 7 - 10).
FACELIFTS are serious business- don't keep secrets from your doctor;
ie. fibbing about your medical history or your smoking/drinking habits.
Your surgeon is on your side and he wants to make certain that the surgery
goes smoothly for you and for him.
Treat yourself to a PRIVATE DUTY REGISTERED NURSE for at least
one shift or overnight. An experienced plastic surgery nurse can make
a tremendous difference in your comfort, your family's peace of mind,
and the overall facelift experience.
ICE, ICE, ICE - an early, consistent icing method over strategic
areas for the first 24 - 48 hours can really cut down on swelling and
bruising. I have seen patients agonize over whether to use frozen peas,
gel masks, or ice cubes wrapped in a Frette hand towel. The goal is simply
to apply cold, period. No expensive contraptions are required. The "No
Frills" method of dipping a washcloth or gauze in a bowl of ice water
works just fine.
BE A COMPLIANT PATIENT - take a moment to read your doctors' instructions
about surgery. Theve materials are designed to guide you effortlessly
through the surgical procecess, and to answer the most commonly asked
questions. Read your printed instructions first, then call the nurse if
you are still unsure.
DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF - A facelift is a process. Most of
the lumps and bumps you see at 3 weeks postop, will resolve on their own
in the weeks to come. Invest in a good concealer, resume your life, and
give yourself a chance to heal.
To make CONCEALER work for you, pat it on (don't rub it in), choose
a pale yellow shade lighter than your skin tone first, a second layer
in a soft beige shade, and if you still need more coverage, try a shade
that matches your skin tone and lastly, set with powder of the same shade.
I like EsteŻ Lauder Maximum Cover for the second (or third) layer, easy
to work with and not the consistency of mortar, like the camouflage products
sold for postop bruises. When your bruises are historical, your makeup
won't be.
A FINAL WORD OF CAUTION - When choosing a surgeon to do your facelift,
make sure you can communicate with him, feel confident that he will do