12 Aug 6 Ways to Maximize Your Facelift or Mini Lift Results
So, you’ve decided to get a facelift or mini lift—and you’re on your way to turning back the clock by several years. The best way to make the most of your results is to work with a reputable, leading plastic surgeon who specializes in facial surgery. Dr. Sudeep Roy at RefinedMD is double board-certified and exclusively works with “facial plastics.” A consultation with Dr. Roy is your chance to learn more about facelifts vs. mini lifts, the techniques he employs, and see even more before/after photos. Finding the right facial plastic surgeon is the first and most important factor in ensuring a beautiful outcome, but there are a few more ways to maximize your results.
1. Follow your surgeon’s instructions precisely.
You’re a unique person and your facelift or mini lift will be one of a kind, too. There is no one size fits all approach to pre- and post-operative care. Rather, your surgeon will work with you to determine the best steps to care for your own facelift. There are many factors that go into making this list, such as the type of lift you get, the current state of your skin, size and placement of incisions, current medications (which may need to be temporarily stopped after talking with your prescribing physician), and more.
2. Sleep elevated.
The vast majority of patients can help speed up healing and reduce bruising and swelling by sleeping with the head in an elevated position. This will probably take some planning, as this isn’t the preferred sleeping position for most. There are special pillows and boosters that can help you achieve the ideal propped-up position, and this is a good investment for many. On average, most patients are recommended to sleep propped up for two weeks after their surgery.
3. Temporarily pause alcohol consumption.
Alcohol can slow down and interfere with healing. It is often recommended that a patient stop drinking for at least two weeks before and two weeks after their surgery. Alcohol causes dehydration, thinning of the blood, and of course a lowering of inhibitions—none of which are ideal for surgery. As for smoking, that is a habit that is contraindicated for any surgery. If you’re a smoker, you will need to stop before and after surgery. The exact amount of time will be determined by your doctor. Remember that it is paramount to be transparent, forthcoming, and honest about alcohol consumption and smoking when considering surgery for your health, safety—and best results.
4. Get plenty of rest.
Rest is paramount for any sort of healing. It is not uncommon to feel some discomfort after a facelift, though usually not as long as people think. In fact, many people return to the majority of daily activities one week after a full facelift. Today’s techniques, which include hiding incisions in the crevices of the ear, make it even easier to “hide” cosmetic surgeries. Still, if you worry that discomfort will interfere with rest in the first few days, talk to your surgeon. Some OTC and prescription medications can help with this, but they should be surgeon-approved. Otherwise, some medications may interfere with healing.
5. Eat healthy.
Healthy, nutritious food is essential for healing. Some patients lose their appetite immediately after a surgery, but this is the time when it is most essential to feed your body what it needs to heal. It is a good idea to stock up on healthy foods, and perhaps prep/pre-make meals for the first week after surgery. It is also best to have someone to help care for you during this first week. Any surgery can drain your energy, so do as much as you can before your surgery. This can also include cleaning the house, any errands you can do in advance, and so on. Focus on healing for the first two weeks after your surgery and minimize all other tasks.
6. Follow your surgeon’s exercise instructions.
You will not be able to do any form of exercise for the first few days after the surgery. Returning to intense cardio and strength training varies person to person, and your surgeon will determine a timeline of when you can return to your workouts.
For more information on facial cosmetic surgery including facelifts and mini lifts, contact Dr. Roy at RefinedMD today. Give us a call or complete the online contact form now.