Post
consultation
In
most facelifts the incision starts in the temple area
of the scalp and descends in front of the ear, where
there us a natural crease and thus heals to produce
a very fine scar, and continues behind the ear high
up and back into the scalp. The scar lines are concealed
by your hair and do not go either in front of your hair
in the temples or down your neck and are designed to
permit you to wear your hair in any style. In the earliest
days when the scar is red, it is better not to pin the
hair back. Some patients require surgery to the neck
and an additional small incision under the chin is made.
Pre-Operative
Care
You
should not take ant Aspirin or medication containing
Aspirin for at least two weeks before surgery. You may
color or bleach you hair up to but not later than one
day before surgery and no further coloring until approximately
three weeks after surgery. If you smoke cut down one
week before surgery and stop smoking completely three
days before to reduce post-operative complications.
Smoking and the drinking of spirits adversely affect
bruising and for this reason it is also well worth taking
at least two weeks before undergoing surgery 1g tablet
of Vitamin C twice daily and Arnica one table four times
a day for one week before and one week after surgery.
If
you are having surgery in the morning you should have
nothing to eat or drink from midnight the night before
and do not put cream or any make-up on the face in the
morning. If your operation is in the afternoon then
you should have nothing to eat or drink from 7:00am
and you should bring apart from your normal night attire
and personal effects, a large scarf and sunglasses to
wear after you operation. Get someone to bring you to
hospital giving yourself plenty of time.
Surgery
is undertaking at the Cambridge Private Hospital. When
you wake up from surgery you will have no bandages on
your face other than light pads over your eyes (if you
have had eye surgery) which are merely there to stop
you blinking. If you feel threatened by these then please
ask the nurse to remove them.
After
surgery Witch Hazel compresses will be applied to reduce
the swelling and it is better to sleep sitting up with
your shoulders resting on at least four pillows. In
general no support bandages are required other than
foe some patients pressure is applied to the underside
of the chin. In general I do not use any drains. I suggest
you buy a bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil to continue
as a cold compress at home after surgery. On the day
after surgery your wounds will be checked. You will
be discharged from the hospital on the 1st operative
day depending upon your recovery. You should arrange
for someone to drive you from the hospital and have
someone stay with you at home for the first two days
as bed rest should continue at home.
It
is important during this period to try and sleep sitting
up on pillows and not to flex your neck forwards. You
can expect moderate discomfort, moderate swelling of
the face with some black and blue discoloration extending
down well below your clavicles. Mild analgesics such
as paracetamol are all the one needs. If there is severe
pain nor responding to medications or marked swelling,
especially if more on one side that the other, you must
get in contact with me. Five days after surgery the
stitches will be removed from in front of the ears under
the chin and twelve days after surgery the larger suture
will be removed. One week after surgery you can have
your hair washed either at home or by a hairdresser,
and at three weeks you may have your hair tinted.
By
two weeks your eyes and face will usually be free of
any bruising, but it is wiser to calculate on being
out of circulation for three weeks all in all, as there
is so much individual variation in the rate of healing
and the degree of possible bruising. My nurse will give
you advice on the care of your skin, the use of cosmetics
and may refer you to our aesthetician. As soon as the
stitches are out warm compresses to the eyes and face,
followed by a final cold compress, may speed absorption
of bruising and give the skin a more supple feel. This
recovers and is usually back to normal within three
months. During this time the skin will appear drier
and a suitable face cream is beneficial.
Avoid
sport and strenuous activity for four weeks and avoid
prolonged exposure to the sun and heat for three months,
as during this period the face and eyelids will feel
a little tight as the scars naturally contract. Give
yourself plenty of rest and do not talk too much about
the operational until you have fully recovered and feel
confident about your improved appearance. In the early
days it is best to have one or two close friends in
whom to confide.
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