Prior to your facelift, your surgeon will assess your medical history to check for conditions that may interfere with the surgery or the healing process after the facelift. Some of the common conditions that raise a flag of concern are:
• Hypertension (High blood pressure) – particularly of it is not under control.
• Smoking – People who smoke do not heal as quickly as those who do not smoke. You will probably be advised to refrain from smoking for several weeks prior to your facelift.
• Scarring problems you have had in the past – including keloid scars and hypertrophic scars
• Bleeding problems – past problems with blood clotting, or lack of clotting
As we mentioned in the facelift consultation checklist, make sure you tell your plastic surgeon about any medication you are taking prior to your travels in Phuket. Be sure to mention any over-the-counter medicines, herbs and supplements that you take. Many people find that it helps to open up their medicine cabinets and make a list and e-mail it to their coordinator.
Facelift instructions
Your plastic surgeon’s office will provide you with specific instructions to follow before your facelift surgery. They will include a list of dos and don’ts about eating, drinking, and what kinds of medications you can and cannot take before your surgery. You will likely be told to give up smoking for two to four weeks before surgery because smoking interferes with your ability to heal. You will probably be told to avoid aspirin for a week or more before your facelift as well.
Follow the facelift pre-op instructions from your doctor carefully. If you don’t understand an instruction, ask for clarification. If you fail to follow the instructions, you could put yourself at risk.
Facelift preparation tips
• Make sure you have front-opening shirts or blouses to wear both to surgery and afterwards. You won’t want to wear something that must be pulled over your head.
• If your hair is very short, consider letting it grow out a little before surgery. Longer hair will make it easier to hide the scars as they heal.
The First Days After Your Surgery
After your facelift, the nursing staff at Phuket International Hospital will continuously monitor you post-surgery. When you have sufficiently recovered from your anesthesia, you will be discharged. PIAC will provide you with complimentary transport back to your hotel.
What to expect in the initial days after your facelift
For most facelift patients, there is usually some discomfort after surgery, but it is not significant. Your plastic surgeon will have prescribed a medicine to help you deal with the pain. If, after taking your pain medication, you notice anything that would indicate an allergic reaction, call your doctor immediately. A different type of medicine can be prescribed.
You may be advised to keep your head elevated for a few days after surgery. This is to help keep the amount of swelling down.
You will probably find that it is more comfortable to minimize the amount of moving around that you do for the first few days.
A certain amount of numbness is normal as you heal. Feeling generally begins to return within a few weeks and the numbness is usually completely gone after several months.
Things to watch for after your facelift – Possible complications
There are some signs of potential complications that you should be alert to. If you notice any of these conditions, call your doctor immediately.
• Sudden appearance of new swelling. You’ll have some swelling, which is normal. What you’re looking for is the sudden onset of swelling.
• Severe or persistent pain.
• Fever of 100 degrees or higher may be indicative of an infection.
• Popped stitches.
• Abnormal discharge from the incision site (milky or pus-like in appearance.)
Facelift post-operative follow-up care
Your plastic surgeon will see you several times in the two weeks after surgery that you are required to stay in Phuket. Some of the appointments will be to remove sutures, and others will be to assess your progress and check on your healing. Again, PIAC will provide you with complimentary transportation to and from your appointments.
After five days to a week after your facelift operation, most of your stitches will be removed. Stitches or clips along your hairline may may be removed at the same time as your other stitches, or they may be left on for a few days longer. That area of your face heals a little bit more slowly.
You will probably look worse than you feel after a few days. The choice of whether or not to go out in public will be up to you, although many people only venture out to go to their follow-up appointments.
After your facelift – What to expect as you continue to recover
It is normal to have some bruising and swelling after your surgery. The majority of your bruising and puffiness should be gone after two to three weeks. Bear in mind that people heal at different rates, so what you read on message boards are generalizations or somebody else’s experiences. Your own experience may vary.
Resuming your normal routine and going back to work after your facelift
The following are general facelift recovery guidelines. Your plastic surgeon will be able to give you more specific, personalized information.
Plan on resting for the first day or two. After that, you should be able to move about, but you will want to take it easy until you reach about the one-week mark.
You will need to be careful around your face so you do not irritate or pull on your incisions. Your facial skin will probably feel tender and numb, but will improve with time.
Be very careful when working with your hair. You will have incisions along the hairline and you don’t want to tug on them.
For the first two or three weeks after your surgery, you will need to avoid strenuous activities. Walking and simple stretches are probably fine, but avoid anything that requires exertion or lifting. (This includes housework.)
If you have given up smoking, don’t restart as it slows the healing process.
Get plenty of rest.
Avoid alcoholic beverages for the next few months.
Very hot showers, steam baths, and saunas are to be avoided for several months.
How soon can I go back to work after my facelift?
The average time off work seems to be about two weeks after a facelift. You will probably have a little bruising or some swelling at this point. You may also be able to use your existing makeup products to hide the fact that you had surgery. Just make sure you check with your plastic surgeon to ensure that your products won’t cause an adverse reaction or irritate your healing skin.
A note on post-facelift depression
Periodic feelings of depression after facelift surgery are not uncommon. When the bandages first come off, your face will be puffy and bruised. Parts of your face may look distorted until the swelling subsides. Your face will feel stiff and your expressions and facial movements may look different at first. Most people are self-conscious about their scars and bruises. And, because your body is devoting energy to the healing process, you may find that you tire more easily.
