Tips for Healing from a Band Aid Facelift

Before plastic surgery, most patients have developed a trust for their surgeon and a confidence in their expert opinion, and this is certainly a part of the equation for achieving the best possible results. But surgery actually involves some teamwork as well. There are many measures you can take both before and after the procedure to help your healing process go more smoothly, and for patients receiving the Band Aid Facelift, our most popular procedures at the office of Dr. John L. LeRoy, the tips below can improve your recovery, which will affect both your overall experience and your long-term results.

• Follow all pre- and post-surgical instructions closely. This can involve activity restrictions, cool compresses, incision care, and more. These will be based on your unique case, and this is priority #1 when it comes to improving your surgical results and safety.
• Stop smoking. We require that patients do not smoke for two weeks before surgery and two weeks after surgery, but beyond hindering your ability to heal, smoking can also accelerate the aging process and weaken your final results, so it’s ideal to stop smoking permanently.
• Don’t take any medications your surgeon hasn’t advised you to take. Ask about all prescription and over-the-counter medications (including vitamins and herbal supplements) beforehand and follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully, because some seemingly harmless medicines and supplements can have dangerous effects.
• Sleep and rest at an incline. Keep your head higher than your heart at all times, keeping your neck extended whenever possible and sleeping at a 30-45 degree angle as instructed after your Band Aid Mini Facelift. A wedge pillow has made this easier for many patients.
• Rest the area. Most patients are limited to clear liquids for 24 hours, but it’s also important to keep chewing and talking to a minimum while you heal, and to avoid using a straw.
• Refrain from drinking caffeine or alcohol based on your specific instructions and your pain medication requirements.
• Keep all your follow-up appointments and stay in communication with the doctor’s office. Every patient heals in their own way, and post-operative exams are the only way for a surgeon to know if you’re recovering well.
• Step up you sun protection. All incisions and scars should be thoroughly protected with broad-spectrum sunscreen for at least 6 weeks, but wearing and consistently reapplying sunscreen every day can also help your plastic surgery results last longer, because sun damage can accelerate aging.
• Follow your instructions regarding caring for your incisions. It may be a good idea to have a handheld mirror and hair clamps or pins on hand, as these can be helpful in seeing and dressing your incisions or applying ointments as directed.
• Have a support system at home. Not only is it important to have someone at home for a few days to help you avoid straining your body, but it’s also helpful to have an emotional support system of people who can calm your nerves and help you through your recovery.
• Be patient. It takes time for swelling and bruising to subside and to see your final results, and stress can hinder your healing process, so relax and give your body the time it needs to recover.
• Plan ahead. During your pre-surgical consultation, we’ll discuss exactly what you should expect throughout your recovery and how you should prepare ahead of time to make the process easier.

Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon who is qualified and experienced and who makes you feel comfortable with the process is an important way to ensure that you’ll receive the best possible results, but it’s only one step of the process. Schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy, to discuss your needs and how the tips above can apply to your specific case.