A facelift is a great way to regain your charm and boost your self-confidence. Like other surgeries, you need to be prepared before your facelift surgery. Usually, patients are stuck with their pre-planning about working schedules and other commitments, forgetting that they need to prepare themselves too before the procedure.
Your Richmond, VA facelift surgeon will often give you thorough instructions on all the dos and don’ts before and after your facelift surgery. It would be helpful to know what you could do to prepare yourself mentally and physically for successful facelift surgery.
- Stop using nicotine.
Nicotine intake can restrict blood flow, causing complications before and after the facelift. Therefore, if you are vaping, smoking, or chewing nicotine, stop your consumption at least a week or two before. If you are addicted, it can be challenging to quit entirely. However, you can gradually limit your intake.
- Avoid alcohol.
Say goodbye to alcohol for at least a week prior to your surgery. Alcohol often restricts blood vessels and can interact badly during the surgery. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid alcohol at least a week before.
- Avoid a few over-the-counter medications.
Many medications increase the risk of excessive bleeding during and after the facelift procedure. It is in your best interest to speak to your surgeon and let them know about the medications you are taking. Also, ask about the medications you should avoid to avoid complications.
- Purchase prescription medications in advance.
After your surgery, you would not be able to get the medications on your own by visiting the pharmacy. A facelift can cause a bit of discomfort after the procedure. Therefore, your surgeon will prescribe pain killers and other medications needed. Make sure you talk to the surgeon a day before and store the medications to them in handy whenever you need them.
- Confirm your ride for heading back home.
During the surgery, the doctor will provide sedatives, after which you would not be recommended to drive back home. Therefore, ask your family or friend to help you reach to and from the surgeon’s office. If you live alone and do not have family and friends nearby, you could book an Uber to get you home safely.
- Clean your face and avoid using makeup.
During the day of your surgery, avoid using any makeup, facial products, or beauty products. Surgeons also recommend not to use hair styling products and remove nail polish from your fingers if you have one.
