Often times patients want a neck lift and not necessarily a face lift. It is important to understand that a neck lift and face lift are essentially the same procedure. The “power” of a facelift is what it does to tighten the neck to restore a youthful, vibrant appearance. Facelifts can be a good choice for patients who are troubled by jowls, neck bands, and other signs of aging. When you visit a plastic surgeon to discuss whether a facelift is right for you, you should explore the post-operative recovery period. You’ll need to do a few things to prepare for a healthy recovery.
This is “Not Your Mother’s Face Lift”
Gone are the days when you leave the facelift procedure looking like a mummy. The procedure techniques have come a long way in the last 20 years. Facelifts can oftentimes be performed in the office under local sedation for a faster recovery, safer procedure and no anesthesia “hangover”. The bandages are removed one day post-op and the sutures are removed 7 days after surgery. By about 10-14 days patients are looking good and back to the majority of their “normal” routine except exercise.
Preparing for Your Recovery
A facelift is an outpatient procedure, which means you will return home on the same day you have your surgery. You should arrange to have a responsible adult drive you to and from the surgery, and stay with you for a few days to help you out around the house. You may be given prescriptions to fill before going into surgery. In addition, ask your surgeon about over-the-counter medications that you should have on hand.
Managing Discomfort
Follow all medication dosage instructions carefully. You should write down the time of each dose as you take it so that you do not accidentally take more pain medicine than prescribed. Your surgeon will ask you to sleep on your back with your head propped up on multiple pillows. This helps prevent excess fluid accumulation around the surgical site.
Dealing with the Drain
It’s not unusual for the surgeon to place a JP drain near the surgical site. This external drain will remain in place for a few days after the surgery. Drains prevent excess fluids from accumulating in the area. You can use a safety pin to secure the JP drain to a lanyard, which you can hang around your neck for convenience. (Be sure the safety pin does not puncture the fluid collection unit or the tubing.) You’ll need to empty the drain periodically. In addition, measure and make a note of the volume of fluid. This helps your surgeon determine when the drain can be removed.
At Maloney Plastic Surgery, our highest priorities are the health and safety of our patients. We’ll ensure you have all the information you need to support your healthy recovery from your neck lift or other surgical procedure. If you have any questions or concerns about the pre-operative or post-operative periods, please call our Tucson cosmetic surgery office at (520) 298-2330.
