PROCEDURE:
- A facelift is the tightening of the facial skin with tightening of the underlying SMAS (muscular or fibrous layer deep to skin) via a variety of procedures.
- It mainly addresses mid and lower facial aging and on its own cannot address the forehead, brows, eyelids and neck. Thus, it is most commonly, performed with one or more of the following:
- Forehead/brow lift, blepharoplasty(eyelids), neck lift, fat fills, peel or laser.
- For larger procedures you will be required to stay overnight for observation.
PRE-OPERATIVE:
- Please stop any over-the-counter herbs, vitamins, or drugs 2 weeks prior to your scheduled surgery.
- Disprin, NSAIDS and blood thinners should be stopped 7 days prior to surgery unless specified or instructed differently by Dr F. Spruyt. This is done to prevent excessive bleeding.
- NO SMOKING is allowed within 4 weeks of your surgery up to and including 4 weeks after surgery.
- You should be fasted for 8 hours prior to your scheduled surgery.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing, that will be easy to change into after your surgery.
- Please be at the hospital 2 hours prior to your surgery to allow for admission and preparation.
- You will be counselled on the risks, complications, and healing process prior to your surgery. If you have any questions, please write them down and bring them with you so that they may be discussed prior to surgery.
PROCEDURE:
- The procedure takes approximately 3-5 hours depending on the combination of surgery to be performed.
- Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia; however local anaesthetic is infiltrated to limit bleeding and post-operative discomfort.
- Small drains are placed before closing of wounds, to prevent hematoma (blood collection).
- Dressings are applied and a soft compression garment is fitted.
POST-OPERATIVE:
- Elevate your head for the first 48 hours by sleeping with 2 pillows under the head.
- Place an icepack over the dressings every 4 to 6 hours for the first 24 hours to help reduce swelling.
- Please take your medication as prescribed.
- The dressings will be opened the day after surgery and new dressings applied.
- Bruising and swelling after surgery is expected and can worsen over a 48 to 72 hour period.
- Swelling will start to reduce after 3 days but can persist for up to 6 weeks.
RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS:
- Hematoma (blood collection)
- Tissue necrosis
- Nerve injury/weakness (very rare – majority temporary)
- Sensory changes (commonly numbness and will improve over 3-6 months)
- Abnormal scars
CARE AT HOME
- After 48 hours clean the wound with saltwater. Clean the area every 12 hours and apply the ointment as prescribed.
- Please phone the rooms for a follow up appointment 7 days post-surgery if one has not been provided.
- Any signs of infection (excessive pain, heat, swelling or drainage of puss) must be immediately reported to Dr F. Spruyt.
- No strenuous exercise for at least 2 weeks.
- No heavy lifting for 3 weeks.
- No head turning activities or exercises for 4 weeks.
- Hair colouring should be delayed for 4 weeks after surgery.
- No “pull-over” clothing for 2 weeks.
- Avoid hard chewing foods for 2 weeks.
- Avoid yawning or wide mouth opening for 2 weeks.
- No driving for 1, preferably 2 weeks post surgery.