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BEFORE YOUR SURGERY
Two weeks before the surgery, you should not take any medications containing aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid), since these products affect the bloods clotting mechanism and therefore may lead to excessive bleeding during and after surgery, hence resulting increased bruising. Taking high doses of vitamin E preparations, eating large amounts of garlic and consuming alcohol can also produce the same result and should be avoided. If pain medication is necessary, we recommend you take ibuprofen/paracetamol.
It is in your own best interests to quit smoking, at least two weeks before and until 2 weeks after surgery. It is well known that smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels, which leads to a decreased blood supply to the skin, thus slowing and interfering with the healing process.
Be sure to inform your surgeon of any medications you take, as well as possible allergies including (drug, latex, plasters and so on).
Your surgeon will decide whether preliminary examinations are necessary, such as blood tests, an electrocardiogram, or x-rays of the lungs. If this is the case, these tests should be performed several weeks before the surgery.
It is best not to wear any makeup when you come in for your operation. Wear loose clothing that doesn't need to be pulled over your head; you may also want to bring a scarf to cover the bandages on the way home.
Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours before your operation.
Make certain you have someone to collect you and stay with you overnight after the surgery. You are not allowed to drive a car for 48 hours after the surgery, due to the effects of the anaesthetic.
On the day of the operation, the surgeon will explain each step of the procedure, and the nurse will assist you throughout the operation. A local anaesthetic will be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) with a very fine needle. You will feel a slight sting and a light burning sensation, but that will disappear almost immediately. The anaesthetic will last about 2-3 hours and will guarantee you have a painless procedure.
At the end of the operation, your face will be cleaned with a sterile solution; a dressing will then be applied as well as a facial band that will sit under chin and around the head.
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What results are to be expected?
The results may vary. Much will depend on your looks before surgery. In one patient the results may be quite spectacular, whereas in another, results will be more subtle. This can also depend on your specific expectations, as discussed in advance with your surgeon. Signs of aging and weakening of the tissues will definitely be less conspicuous and may often virtually disappear.
You do not have to worry about your individual features or expression. The feared "wind-tunnel" face-lift look, with flattening of the face, is caused by over tightening the skin. However, in a modern face-lift and especially in a MACS-lift, the skin is tightened very little. Rather, the surgeon restores the volumes of the subcutaneous tissues, which restores the youthful contours of the face.
How long will the effects last?
You must realise that no plastic surgery procedure can stop time. A face-lift can, however, turn back the clock and be effective for a number of years. How long the effects last will also depend on your lifestyle and possible genetic factors. Rest assured that most patients are happy with the results of their face-lift for a good many years.
If you have any further questions or queries about this procedure, please feel free to call and speak to either Dr Roberto Viel, Dr Maurizio Viel or any of our nurses. Please note that it is necessary to attend a consultation prior to your operation, this is also the case with existing patients, it may also be necessary to have repeat blood test.
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AFTER THE PROCEDURE
After the surgery, when you have returned home, you should try to remain as quiet and relaxed as possible. Remember to regularly apply ice to your neck and ear area for the first 12 hours to reduce swelling and bruising. When you lie down, keep your head elevated, because lying flat or bending down will increase the swelling.
You will be given pain medication and antibiotics to take, it is important to follow instruction given by the nurse on how to take these, remember not to take aspirin. If you have any questions about this please contact the clinic.
Because of the deep stitches, your jaw may hurt when you open your mouth wide. However, this annoying sensation will pass in a few days.
You will be able to move and walk around as normal immediately after the surgery, but you should count on not being socially active for about one week. You will have to wear the facial band for 4 days, after which you then remove just the facial band, leaving just the small dressings (steri strips usually). You will return to the clinic in 7-10 days for the removal of your sutures (stitches) by the nurse, the surgeon may or may not see you now. Your next visit will be in another 5 weeks for a postoperative review with the surgeon.
If serious bleeding should suddenly occur within the first few hours after a face lift procedure, it might be necessary for the surgeon to open up the wound under local anaesthetic to stop the bleeding. Ecchymoses (bruises) will occur but these will fade over the first few weeks. Infection (or inflammations) is rare but when they occur, they can be treated with further antibiotics.
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