Pre-op Instructions to Prepare Patients for Facelift Surgery
Loose skin, creases, and wrinkles - these are all side effects of aging that are likely to be experienced by all of our patients eventually. It is just a matter of time before a patient’s outward features begin giving off the appearance of advanced aging. While there is nothing that can be done to stop the progression of aging and its effects on the facial features, a facelift can reverse many of the effects of aging to restore a more youthful and refreshed appearance to the lower portion of the face. In order to get optimal surgical results in terms of safety and aesthetics, it is important for patients to be well-prepared for their surgical procedure. Dr. Patricia Berbari provides each of her Gatineau patients with facelift pre-op instructions well in advance of their surgical procedure so that they can ensure they are both mentally and physically prepared for facelift surgery.
In the Weeks Before Surgery
The weeks leading up to surgery are a good time for patients to ensure that they are mentally prepared for their facelift procedure. Patients should read all provided surgical literature, including pre- and post-op instructions. If a patient has any questions or concerns, now is the time to address them. The weeks leading up to surgery are also a good time to put together a support team, which will be helpful to the recovery process. Patients should have a friend or family member who is willing to drive them to and from their surgery, a person to stay with them for the first 24 to 48 hours of recovery, as well as on-call if needs arise while the patient is healing. Below are some additional requirements that will physically prepare the body for surgery:
- Patients should avoid smoking or being around smoke for at least a month prior to surgery
- Two weeks prior to surgery patients should refrain from the use of aspirin or ibuprofen
- To avoid possible skin irritation at the incision site, patients should not bleach or color their hair a week before surgery
The Night Before and Day of Surgery
The final 24 hours before surgery, it is important to closely follow Dr. Berbari’s pre-op instructions. If these instructions have not been followed, it may be necessary to reschedule the facelift procedure. Below are important instructions to follow the night before and morning of surgery:
- Refrain from eating or drinking anything after midnight on the evening before surgery
- If instructed by Dr. Berbari, regular medications may be taken with a small sip of water on the morning of surgery
- Patients should shower and wash the hair the night before or morning of surgery
- After bathing, patients should refrain from using any lotion, make-up, fragrances, or hair products
- Patients should dress comfortably in loose clothing, being sure to wear a shirt that opens in the front
- Patients should remove all jewelry
- Those who wear contact lenses should not do so on the day of surgery
- Patients should arrive at their surgical appointment with plenty of time to check-in and sign any final paperwork
Schedule an Appointment
Patients who feel as though their natural beauty has been compromised by the development of facial skin aging can turn to Dr. Patricia Berbari for cosmetic treatment. Dr. Berbari offers services that reverse signs of aging while maintaining the patient’s natural appearance, creating a beautiful and refreshed appearance. To learn more about a facelift or our other facial procedures, schedule an appointment with Dr. Berbari at your earliest convenience. We look forward to hearing from you!