Five (5) Facelift Recovery Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

An optimal recovery from facelift surgery involves caring for both the mind and the body. Moreover, facelift recovery starts before the day of surgery. The following are five facelift recovery mistakes and how to avoid them at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Facelift Recovery Starts Before Surgery

1. Continuing the use of substances that can increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery – It is important to, for example, discontinue the use of alcohol, supplements, and medications (e.g., NSAIDs like ibuprofen) that can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery and, therefore, impair healing after surgery.
2. Poor nutrition before and after surgery – Optimizing recovery also involves optimizing nutrition before and after surgery to make sure the body is receiving appropriate macro- and micro-nutrients. Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery provides guidance on the general makeup of a diet that can help maximize healing after surgery.
3. Tobacco or nicotine use before and after surgery – It is essential to avoid tobacco and nicotine (e.g., patches, gum, vape) use before and after surgery. The damage to tissue caused by nicotine and other components of cigarettes is significant. In fact, active smoking and/or nicotine use within approximately six (6) weeks of surgery is grounds for rescheduling surgery. Furthermore, it is essential to discontinue use of these products after surgery, preferably forever. Individuals who smoke and/or use nicotine-containing products are at a significantly higher risk of having healing problems, along with associated complications such as infection and abnormal scarring.
   
   Patients with a recent history of smoking and/or with a known history of problems healing due to a diagnosed medical problem may benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) treatment before and/or after surgery.

4. Avoiding rest and being too active after surgery – There are restrictions on physical activity during the first two (2) weeks after, for example, deep plane facelift and neck lift surgery. These limits include:

   • No lifting greater than 10 – 15 lbs to reduce strain on the surgical sites
   • No bending below the heart (squatting is okay), which is meant to minimize swelling
   • Sleeping with the head elevated (e.g., 2 pillows,) which is also meant to minimize swelling

   However, it is important to maintain some level of light activity starting one (1) day after surgery. Walking and other similar activities are encouraged. In summary, it is important to maintain balance between remaining active and overextending yourself after surgery.

5. Avoiding the use of recommended garments post-operatively – Two garments are recommended following surgery, both of which are intended to be used day-and-night for the first week, followed by at night only for the second week:

   • Compression socks, which are meant to minimize the risk of a blood clot post-operatively
   • A compression wrap around the head/chin/neck, which is meant to minimize swelling and protect the incisions during the early stages of healing

Managing Prolonged Swelling After Facelift Surgery

The use of a face and neck garment and some of the activity restrictions above are intended to reduce post-operative swelling. There are two (2) other things that can be considered starting approximately six (6) weeks after surgery in the rare instances of prolonged post-operative swelling:

• Lymphatic massage – It is recommended to undergo massage by someone specifically certified in lymphatic massage
• Steroid injections – Considered as a potential option only in those with persistent, firm swelling to accelerate the decrease in swelling and only after a discussion of the potential benefits, risks, and alternatives