Some amount of advance preparation is essential for the success of a major cosmetic surgery procedure such as facelift. Well-prepared patients will typically achieve more satisfactory outcomes in the end and feel more confident through the treatment process and recovery. Preparation should ideally begin right from the moment a person has decided to have a facelift.
During the pre-operative consultation, the facelift surgeon will provide detailed instructions to the patient about how to prepare for the surgery. Board certified plastic surgeons at the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery provide facelift surgery to patients in Houston, Texas, TX, and other communities in this part of the state.
Pre-op Instructions
If the patient has a habit of smoking, they will advised by the surgeon to stop smoking several weeks before the facelift plastic surgery procedure. Smoking can pose risk during the surgery because it interferes with the blood flow, and can also slow down the post-surgical healing.
The surgeon may alter the schedule of a few prescription and non-prescription drugs that the patient may be currently taking. The prescribing physician may have to be consulted for such a change. Vitamin E and certain herbal supplements may also have to be stopped for a few days. Patient will be advised to have a balanced diet and increase the intake of lean proteins for a few days before and after the surgery.
Health Assessment
The surgeon will go through the patient’s medical records, and conduct a general health exam to assess their fitness level for facelift surgery and anesthesia. The surgeon will evaluate the amount of skin laxity in the face and neck, as well as assess the skin type, presence of fat deposits, underlying muscle condition, and the strength of the facial bone structure.
The patient should disclose all the information pertaining to their current and past health issues as well as any specific lifestyle habits such as smoking. This will allow the surgeon to anticipate any concerns during the surgery and modify the surgical plan appropriately. The patient must also discuss their innate cosmetic needs and goals so that the surgeon can customize the surgery to incorporate these specific needs.
Surgical Planning
When the surgeon has cleared the candidate for facelift surgery, they will prepare a surgical plan tailored to meet the patient’s unique requirements. This will ensure that most satisfying results are created in a least invasive manner. The surgical plan will determine:
- The choice of surgical technique to perform facelift
- Local anesthesia with IV sedation or general anesthesia
- Location and size of the incisions
- How the wound closure would be performed
- The choice of operating venue
- The estimated duration of the procedure
- Whether an overnight hospital stay is necessary
- Whether an additional facial surgery is required
- The plan for recovery
Cost aspects as well as insurance and financing issues would also be addressed during the facelift consultation. Experienced cosmetic surgeons at ACPS receive patients from Houston, Texas, TX, and nearby areas for facelift surgery and other surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures.
For more information about The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery(ACPS)physicians and the cosmetic surgery treatments and procedures they perform please click here or call us at 713.799.9999. We have offices in and around Houston, Texas.