New York City · Facelift
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New York City facelift

Facelift Surgery Patient Information -
Post-Operative Care

IMMEDIATELY AFTER SURGERY:

When you arrive home, rest quietly in bed with your head raised and straight. You will have a dressing on your head, and you may have some drains at the back of the dressing. If you feel nauseated, lie on your back and remain still. Any sensation of nausea should pass by the morning after your face lift surgery. Try to minimize conversation, smiling and laughing during the first 48 hours to keep your facial muscles quiet.

MEDICATIONS: Take the antibiotics and pain medication prescribed by Dr. Zevon according to the pharmacy instructions. Don't take the pain medication on an empty stomach, as this will produce nausea and vomiting. Have another adult give you the pain medication at the correct time and/or keep written records of how much you take and when you take it. You do not have to take the pain medicine if you are not in pain, but you must take all of your antibiotics. Do not drive while taking pain medication.

CALL DR. ZEVON if you have pain not responding to pain medication.

DON'T TAKE CHANCES! CALL IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ANYTHING YOU CONSIDER SIGNIFICANT. During office hours, call (212) 496-6600. After hours, call (917) 612-3800.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SURGERY:

Following face lift surgery, a small, thin tube (called a drain) may be temporarily placed under the skin behind your ear to drain any fluid that might collect there. Dr. Zevon will wrap your head loosely in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling.

You will have:

  1. Moderate discomfort;
  2. Moderate swelling;
  3. Bruising (black and blue discoloration) of the face;
  4. Bloodshot eyes; and
  5. Slight signs of blood on the bandages.

Expect to feel tired for 7 to 10 days after your face lift surgery. Try to get adequate rest, fluids and nutrition. Most face lift patients feel "tight" around the head and neck. This sensation should subside during the first week after surgery, and will continue to improve gradually. You may feel numb in different areas of the face, neck, and ears. This is common and may last for weeks, months or up to a year after your face lift surgery. You will have visible bruising (black and blue discoloration) and swelling of the face and neck for 2 or 3 weeks or more. You will have incisions that may be raised, slightly red and feel firm for several weeks or months after face lift surgery. Your face and neck may feel rigid or too tight during this time. Expect not to look your best for 1-3 months after your face lift surgery. Normal healing continues for up to one year.

MOVING YOUR HEAD: The first day after your face lift surgery, support your head with your hands when you sit up from a lying down position. If you have assistance, another person can support you carefully and help you sit up. During the first 2 weeks after face lift surgery, do not twist your neck to turn your head. Instead turn your shoulders, not your neck. When you bend, bend your hips, knees and ankles - do not bend from the waist, dropping your head.

DIET: Eat a soft diet requiring little or no chewing. Drink lots of liquids. Avoid very hot foods or liquids. Avoid prolonged chewing--do not chew hard or tough foods for the first week after your surgery. Do not gain or lose more than 5 pounds if possible or your result may be adversely affected.

CLOTHING: For the first week after your face lift surgery, do not pull on clothing over your head-wear clothing with front closure buttons or zippers.

Continue reading face lift surgery patient information

Pre-operative Instructions  entire document for printing
Post-operative Instructions  entire document for printing
FAQs on Face Lift
FAQs on Recovery From Plastic Surgery
Face Lift Illustrations

 

 

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The Shape of Things to ComeCopyright Dr. Scott J. Zevon, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon of New York City at Central Park Plastic Surgery
The Shape of Things to Come with Plastic Surgery - Dr. Scott Zevon, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon of New York City at Central Park Plastic Surgery

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The shape of THINGS to comeSM - Dr. Zevon is a board certified plastic surgeon practicing in New York City. At his plastic surgery office in Manhattan, he performs cosmetic surgery procedures such as liposuction, tummy tuck, face lift, and eyelid surgery. Dr. Zevon also specializes in breast surgery procedures such as breast augmentation, breast implants and breast lift. Visit Dr. Zevon's extensive archive of plastic surgery before and after photographs.

Face Lift · New York City: Board-certified plastic surgeon Scott J. Zevon MD maintains this website to provide general health information to the public, not medical advice to individuals. If you are interested in a face lift procedure, please contact us at our Manhattan plastic surgery office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Zevon.