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Face Lift Surgery
SWELLING AND DISCOLORATION
As you were told before surgery, a varying amount of temporary swelling and discoloration follows this procedure, so try not to become anxious � it will pass. We try to keep these symptoms to a minimum by prescribing medications to be taken before your surgery and by using meticulous surgical techniques.
Redness, swelling in a discrete area, worsening pain, difficulty swallowing, facial weakness, or bleeding call the office immediately
AFTER YOUR OPERATION:
You can help normal healing to occur several ways:
- 1. Sleep with your head elevated 30 to 40 degrees for one week; use an additional pillow or two under your mattress, if necessary.
- 2. Wear chinstrap as directed at all times even to sleep in until discussed with our staff.
- 3. STAY UP (sitting, standing, walking around) as much as possible after you return home �this is important! Of course, you should rest when you tired.
- 4. Avoid bending over or lifting heavy things for one week. In addition to aggravating swelling, this may raise the blood pressure and start bleeding.
- 5. Avoid straining at stool, which also raises the blood pressure. Stay hydrated and eat foods that keep you regular
- 6. Tub bathing or showering can be resumed the day after surgery; do not use excessively hot water. The face may be gently cleansed with warm water avoid soap for the first few days.
- 7. Avoid the use of hairdryers for the first week.
- 8. Do not resume exercising, running, aerobics, or nautilus for 4-6 weeks after surgery.
- 9. Do not apply hair coloring until two weeks have elapsed following your operation.
- 10. You may begin wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses the day following surgery. Contact lenses may be worn one week after surgery.
- 11. Eye shadow or false eyelashes should not be applied until two weeks after surgery.
- 12. Do not apply makeup until seen at your first postoperative visit. Our Aesthetician will speak with you regarding camouflage makeup application at your first postoperative visit.
- 13. You should probably not plan to return to work until four or five days, or perhaps a week, after your surgery.
- 14. Swelling and discoloration can take 2-3 months to improve. Your final result is not achieved until one year after surgery.
- 15. Avoid sun exposure at all costs for one year after surgery as the scar could darken and remain discolored. Wearing sunglasses and sunscreen are imperative.
- 16. All scars go through a period of slight swelling and, perhaps, reddening usually around six weeks after surgery; later, this subsides, and they become virtually imperceptible. This is the way a normal scar matures. Thus, any unevenness of the edges of the incisions or lumpiness of the scar is usually temporary and will subside with the passage of time.
- 17. Do not wear earrings for 4 weeks after surgery.
