Face Lift: Planning for Recovery Time

The candidness of your surgeon is a good way to judge whether or not the two of you are a good fit for your face lift procedure. Talking to your surgeon about your concerns and fears is an important part of making the decision to have cosmetic surgery. Feeling as if your fears are being addressed and your concerns are being heard go a long way in making you feel comfortable as you approach your procedure.

When you first meet with your cosmetic surgeon regarding your face lift interests, they will likely have a series of questions to ask you. Mainly, the surgeon and his or her staff just needs to be sure you are in good physical and mental health. After you have answered their questions, you will have a chance to ask your own. Be sure to come prepared; you want to treat this like an interview. Interviewing your surgeon is important to make sure you have found a qualified individual.

After the initial screening process you are on your way. The surgeon will inform you of the different risks associated with the procedure, as well as fill you in on details of the procedure itself. The face lift procedure is a fairly straightforward one that many surgeons perform on a regular basis. The end result is a patient with tighter, more youthful looking skin on their forward, cheeks and jaw line.

Your recovery times will depend on a multitude of factors. Your age, weight, skin type and overall health can all contribute to the recovery times you experience following any minor procedure or major surgery. Check with your surgeon about what you can expect. Most likely they will tell you to prepare for post-surgery by taking time off from work. You may want as many as ten days off. Generally swelling and bruising can last up to a week or maybe longer.

Your doctor will also suggest that you bring someone with you on the day of the surgery to drive you home and help you with household tasks. Although the surgery won't affect you physically beyond just the treated skin, you may not feel alert enough after the anesthesia has worn off to drive. You will also want to employ a helper to assist you in finding a good lying position, getting you plenty of fluids and lifting any heavy objects for you.

Beyond finding a helper and planning for recovery by taking off work, you should just schedule lots of resting time. Find a good place to lie down, read or watch movies without being too active. The less time you spend on your feet the hours and days following the surgery, the more successful your recovery will be.

As with any procedure, recovery times can vary following a face lift. Find a surgeon that you are comfortable talking with prior to your surgery so you can be as prepared as possible. They will let you know what to expect and help you feel confident going into your procedure.