PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY
You will be given specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medicines.
If you smoke, plan to quit at least two weeks prior to the surgery and not resume smoking for at least two weeks after your surgery. Avoid overexposure to the sun before the surgery, especially on the abdomen, and do not go on astringent diet, as both can inhibit your ability to heal. If you develop a cold or infection of any kind, it is important to inform the surgeon, as your surgery may need to be postponed.
You will need to arrange for someone to collect you after your surgery, as you will be unable to drive. It is also advisable to have someone to stay with you for a few days to help you out, if needed.
BEFORE SURGERY
Two weeks before the surgery, you should not take any medications containing aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), since these products affect the blood clotting mechanism and therefore may lead to excessive bleeding during and after surgery, hence resulting in increased bruising. Taking high doses of vitamin E, fish oil, 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 Voltaren/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.
YOUR MACS FACE-LIFT PROCEDURE
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 burning sensation, but that will disappear almost immediately. The anaesthetic will last about 2-3 hours. 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.
AFTER SURGERY
After the surgery, when you have returned home, you should try to remain as quiet and relaxed as possible. 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 may also want to bring a scarf to cover the bandages on your way home.
You will be given pain medication and antibiotics to take, it is important to follow instructions given by the nurse on how to take these, continue not to take aspirin.
