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Preparation is one key to a smooth recovery from surgery. Dr. Kailash Narasimhan and his experienced and skilled medical team want you to be fully prepared for your procedure. The steps you take before your facelift preparation and surgery in Tampa can make a difference in your outcome.
We encourage you to call our office to schedule your consultation with our double-board-certified plastic surgeon so you can learn more about how a facelift procedure may help you meet your cosmetic goals.
A facelift is major surgery and requires several weeks of recovery. Making a few preparations for your facelift surgery in Tampa can help make the process smoother and reduce your risk of complications, including infection.
In the months before surgery, you should eat nutritious meals, stay hydrated, and get plenty of rest. Building this healthy foundation improves your healing process.
Most facial plastic surgeries are outpatient procedures. While you can go home on the same day, you cannot drive yourself home. A trusted friend or a family member should drive you to your surgery and home. You also want someone to stay with you for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery.
You will be groggy for the first one to two days after anesthesia, depending on how your body metabolizes the medication. Having someone home with you can help improve your safety. During your final pre-op consultation with Dr. Narasimhan, you will receive detailed instructions on how to care for yourself after surgery.
Depending on your procedure, those instructions may include prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medication. Have the prescriptions filled as you prepare for surgery. This will reduce chaos on your first day home and ensure you have the necessary medication.
Set up a comfortable place to recover in your home with extra pillows and forms of entertainment like your television remote, books, and cell phone. Be sure the area has easy access to the bathroom and allows you to sit or sleep with your head elevated.
We recommend keeping your head elevated for the first several days, including while you sleep, to reduce swelling in the area. Resting for the first week after surgery is crucial. You will be encouraged to walk to keep your blood circulating and reduce the risk of blood clots.
To help you rest, be sure your house is cleaned to your satisfaction before you go for surgery. Stock your refrigerator and freezer with highly nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals that require little cleanup. If you have pets or children, arrange help for their care in the first week or two after surgery.
When you arrive for surgery, wear comfortable clothing that will be easy to put on when you are ready to go home. This includes a button-down shirt so you do not have to pull anything over your head, which will likely have bandages.
Surgery is typically done under general anesthesia, so you will be comfortable during the procedure. Incisions are made along the hairline down to the ears during a traditional facelift. For a less corrective procedure, often called a mini facelift, the incisions are made in front of the ears and around the hairline.
Dr. Narasimhan uses this access to remove or redistribute fat along your jowls and improve hollow areas in your cheeks or under your eyes. He will remove excess tissue and skin and tighten the underlying tissue to create a more youthful appearance. Finally, the skin is redraped over your face, and the incisions are meticulously closed with fine sutures to reduce scar tissue.
You will likely be groggy when you wake up from anesthesia. You will stay in the recovery room while the medical team monitors your vital signs until you have recovered sufficiently to go home.
You will receive detailed instructions on how to care for yourself and your incisions as you heal. Follow these preparation instructions precisely before your facelift surgery in Tampa and St. Petersburg to reduce potential complications, including infection. Drinking plenty of water and eating nutritious meals during your recovery will give your body the nutrition and hydration it needs to stay healthy.
During your follow-up visits, Dr. Narasimhan will monitor your healing and make any adjustments needed to speed your recovery. Most people can begin light activity, such as walking, within one week after surgery. It is typically two to three months before you can begin heavy lifting or strenuous activities. Limiting your activity helps to protect the results of your facial plastic surgery.
Facial plastic surgery is a personal decision that can help reduce the visible signs of aging and address your cosmetic concerns. We encourage you to call our office and schedule your consultation with Dr. Narasimhan to learn more about how facelift preparation and surgery in Tampa can help meet your aesthetic goals.
