If you’re preparing for a mini facelift, there are several steps you can take before and after the procedure, to help ensure the best, healthiest, and speediest recovery possible.
In most cases, you’ll be given specific directions by the surgeon about preparations he or she wants you to make. They’re all designed to make your entire experience as smooth as possible, from start to finish. So it’s in your best interest to follow carefully the instructions you’re given.
Before Your Mini Facelift
Here are a few guidelines to follow prior to your mini facelift:
- Cut down on salt in your diet – this helps reduce the amount of swelling from water retention, which can adversely affect the results of the mini facelift.
- Don’t cut down on the amount of water you drink – it’s important to stay adequately hydrated.
- Try to schedule your mini facelift when you’re in good health and for a time that allows you an adequate amount of time to recover.
- Don’t starve yourself, but it helps if you’re as close as you can be to your ideal weight before the mini facelift, so the skin tightening is as effective as possible.
- Most surgeons advise no aspirins, anti-inflammatories or Vitamin E for two weeks prior to surgery – these can thin the blood.
- Some supplements can cause problems during or after the surgery, so be sure to give your surgeon a list of everything you’re taking. You may need to suspend taking some of them until later.
- Your doctor may encourage you to ramp up your intake of certain vitamins and minerals
- You’ll probably be advised to stop any eating or drinking at midnight the night before your mini-lift.
After Your Mini Facelift
It’s almost as important to prepare for after the surgery as is it to prepare beforehand. Here are a few suggestions to help make the recovery period as easy as possible for you.
- Someone will need to drive you home and plan to help out for a couple of days following your mini facelift.
- You may be instructed that your head needs to be elevated and you should try to be as still as you can for the first few days, so swelling is kept to a minimum.
- Even though you’ll probably be able to get up and move around after a couple of days, you need to take it relatively easy for about a week.
- Any bandages, drainage tubes or stitches will typically be gone within about a week. Your face will still look puffy, pale and bruised. Don’t panic. It’s healing.
- Check with your surgeon for specific recommendations as to when you can return to work and resume your normal activities. Be sure to ask about strenuous activities, like exercise, sex and household chores.
- Sufficient rest is the best way to speed up the recovery process. When you’re resting, your body can focus its energy on the healing process.
Before AND After Your Mini Facelift
There are a handful of suggestions that apply to both before the surgery and afterward, during recovery. Your surgeon may have additional recommendations, such as:
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol for two weeks before your mini facelift and for two weeks afterward.
- Reduce stress as much as possible by incorporating some relaxation periods into your daily routine – listen to soothing music, do yoga, meditate, take naps – whatever helps you tone down the stress.
- Lean on your support system, both prior to and after your mini facelift. Get help with taking care of the kids, running errands, cooking meals and helping around the house. They’ll probably *want* to help. Let them.
These are simply meant to be general guidelines. Your plastic surgeon will no doubt have a more comprehensive, detailed list of his or her preferred dos and don’ts. Be sure to follow them carefully. They’ll benefit you throughout your entire mini facelift experience.
