How to Prepare for Your Facelift Surgery

A facelift (also known as rhytidectomy surgery) is a cosmetic procedure designed to reduce or eliminate visible signs of aging in your face and neck. Whether you want to tighten sagging skin, smooth deep wrinkles and folds, or restore a more youthful contour, a facelift can offer dramatic yet natural-looking results. However, one of the most important steps in your facelift journey is preparation. In this blog, we’ll go through some of the essential steps necessary to prepare for your facelift procedure so that you can enjoy a safe and healthy surgery and recovery.

Are You a Good Candidate for a Facelift?

Not everyone is an ideal candidate for facelift surgery. Some people may benefit from non-surgical options before undergoing invasive surgery. However, if you wish to address more severe signs of aging, a facelift is the answer. The best candidates for a facelift include men and women who are nonsmokers and in good overall health. You should also have good skin elasticity and realistic expectations for your results. Once you’ve had a consultation with Dr. Wald to determine if you’re a good candidate for a facelift, it’s time to prepare for your surgery!

Mentally Preparing for Facelift Surgery

As with any cosmetic surgery, facelift patients need to understand that while the procedure can do wonders for their confidence and turn back the clock on aging, having realistic expectations about the surgery and your results is essential. Some things you should consider before undergoing a facelift include:

Understanding the Limitations of the Procedure

A facelift can address wrinkles and sagging or excess skin, but only in the lower two-thirds of your face. If you have drooping eyelids or eyebrows, adding blepharoplasty (eye lift surgery) or a forehead lift to your facelift may be necessary to achieve comprehensive results. You may also undergo non-surgical skin resurfacing, BOTOX® Cosmetic, or injectable fillers to enhance your facelift results.

Scars Are Inevitable

As with any surgical procedure, scarring after a facelift is inevitable. However, the beauty of a facelift is that incisions are hidden in your hairline or behind your ears and will fade over time.

Be Patient as You Heal

Again, as with any surgery, it takes time to heal after a facelift. While you will see some immediate results, it will take a few months for all swelling and bruising to dissipate, so be patient and follow Dr. Wald’s post-op instructions to ensure the best outcome.

Facelift Results Require Maintenance

While facelift results typically last for as many as ten to fifteen years, the natural aging process will continue. Maintaining the results of your facelift means making good lifestyle choices (including avoiding smoking and following a healthy diet), adhering to an anti-aging skincare routine (including daily broad-spectrum SPF), and possibly undergoing non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments.

A facelift can give you a more youthful and refreshed appearance; however, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Results will vary from person to person depending on your unique facial anatomy, skin condition, and whether or not you combine other aesthetic procedures with your facelift.

Other Facelift Preparations

Lifestyle Adjustments

Before facelift surgery, you’ll need to quit smoking, as it inhibits circulation and can delay healing. Typically, you’ll need to avoid nicotine for four to six weeks before and after your surgery. You should also avoid medications and supplements that can increase the risk of bleeding, including aspirin, NSAIDs, blood thinning medications, Vitamin E, fish oil, and certain herbal supplements.

Prepare a Recovery Space at Home

After your facelift, you’ll need a comfortable area to rest and recuperate. Preparing your home in advance may include:

• Making sure you have ice packs, gauze, and prescription and over-the-counter pain medications close at hand
• Having soft, nutritious foods available (like soup and smoothies), as eating may be uncomfortable for the first few days
• Creating a comfortable area with enough pillows to elevate your head to help minimize swelling, as well as any books and electronics (including chargers) for entertainment
• Arranging for help transporting kids to and from activities, as well as any other daily tasks, as you’ll need to rest for the first few days after surgery

Make Sure You Have Everything Ready for the Day of Surgery

When you come in for your facelift, make sure you bring the following items with you:

• Photo ID
• Glasses and your contact lens case
• A pillow for the ride home (to keep your head elevated and comfortable)
• Comfortable clothing, like a loose-fitting, button-down shirt to wear home after surgery

Above all, make sure you have arranged for someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery as you recover from general anesthesia.

Learn More About Facelift Surgery in Orange County, CA

If you’re ready to take the next step in facial rejuvenation, it’s time to explore the benefits of a facelift at The Aesthetic Institute in Orange County. Once you’ve determined that you’re a good candidate for a facelift, Dr. Wald will go over the specifics of the surgery with you, helping to set you up for a successful experience from consultation to recovery. To schedule a facelift consultation with Dr. Wald, call our office today at (714) 312-3549 or complete the online contact form.