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Dos and Don’ts for a Smoother Mini Facelift Recovery

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facelift recoveryA mini facelift can be an effective way to reduce facial aging and restore your confidence in your appearance. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon who has specialized in mini facelifts for over 25 years, I have seen men and women in their 40s and beyond enjoy the benefits of this procedure. Before your results are visible, though, you’ll need to get through the recovery phase of your surgery.

Fortunately, mini facelifts like my Band Aid Mini Facelift offer a quicker recovery than traditional facelifts. Still, there are steps you can take to make your healing process smoother and easier. Start with these dos and don’ts.

Do Plan Ahead to Make Your Home Accessible

In the first days after your cosmetic surgery, all you’ll want to do is relax in bed and let your body’s healing process work. To make sure you’re as comfortable as possible, make a list of the things you might need during this time and bring it to your bedside. This could include certain books, electronics, craft projects, and so on, as well as items like tissues, water bottles, and surgery-safe pain relievers that don’t conflict with your other medications.

For items in other areas of the house, like food items in the kitchen and personal care items in the bathroom, put them on the counter or somewhere else that’s easy to access. You don’t want to strain to get items that are on high shelves, and you don’t want to bend down to get items on low shelves because it increases the blood flow to your face while it heals.

Preparing your home should also involve picking up so you have clear pathways around the house. You’ll need to walk around a bit while you recover, and you don’t want to risk tripping and falling.

Don’t Get a More Invasive Surgery Than You Need

There are varying degrees of facelift surgeries you can receive. For example, my Band Aid Micro Mini Facelift is my least invasive facial rejuvenation surgery, while the next step up is my Band Aid Mini Facelift followed by a traditional facelift. As a surgeon, at each patient’s consultation, I assess their facial aging, discuss their goals, and determine the least invasive way to create the results they want.

Do Prepare Your Support System

Every surgery recovery works better as a team effort, and that includes a mini facelift recovery. You need a support system of people who are available to help you if you need help, keep your spirits up, and make your healing process smoother. You don’t need to tell everyone you know about your surgery, but it’s important to have a few people you trust who know about the procedure and are prepared to help.

Don’t Hesitate to Ask Questions

Every patient’s recovery from mini facelift surgery is unique. While I try to prepare each patient by giving them an idea of what they can expect, it’s common for questions to arise while you heal. You may be experiencing a symptom and you wonder if it’s normal, for example, or you aren’t sure whether a particular medication is safe to take. As a surgeon, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to call with any questions that arise during your recovery.

Making Your Mini Facelift Recovery as Smooth as Possible

In my work as a plastic surgeon specializing in facial surgery, I may perform your mini facelift surgery, but my job doesn’t end there. I am here to help guide you through your recovery so that you can get back on your feet quickly and begin enjoying the results of your procedure. To begin the process, schedule a mini facelift consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy, in Atlanta today. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more cosmetic surgery tips.

Five Ways to Improve Your Band Aid Mini Facelift Results

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Combining Facial Liposuction with a Facelift

After your Band Aid Mini Facelift procedure, the way you spend your recovery period can greatly impact the quality of your final results. It’s tempting to relax your care routine and healthy habits as soon as your procedure is over, but following post-procedure instructions is essential for a healthy and effective plastic surgery healing process. To help keep you informed, I have laid out five common guidelines you should follow in order to enjoy the best results and smoothest recovery after your surgery.

#1: Drink Clear Liquids

In the 24 hours after surgery, it is important that you only drink clear liquids excluding clear alcohols and clear sodas. Staying hydrated will help aid your body in the recovery process. Even after the 24 hours are up, it is still highly recommended that you stick to drinking water and avoid beverages that could dehydrate you such as coffee, alcohol or soda.

#2: Limit Sun Exposure

Sun exposure can hinder your results and potentially harm your skin while you are recovering. It is best to stay indoors for your entire recovery period. However, if you have to go outside, you should keep your time outdoors brief and wear protective coverings such as a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect yourself.

#3: Adjust Your Sleeping Position

The position you sleep in every night can greatly affect your healing process. Because your angle can impact your incisions and swelling, I recommend that you keep your head above your heart at all times and sleep at a 30- to 45-degree angle every night. To help you maintain your position, you can try sleeping in a comfortable reclining chair or buying a wedge pillow to use in bed.

#4: Avoid Vigorous Exercise

During your Band Aid Mini Facelift recovery period, you should aim to do as little physical activity as possible other than gently walking around every few hours to maintain healthy circulation. Constant movement or strain can cause an increase in swelling and lead to possible complications. It is best to avoid strenuous exercise altogether and slowly begin to ease yourself back into your workout routine based on your plastic surgeon’s recommendations.

#5: Avoid Wearing Makeup

Applying makeup during the recovery period is highly discouraged because it can interfere with your face’s healing process. These products can irritate the skin and possibly infect your incisions. You should wait a minimum of 10 days before using any type of makeup product.

You should always aim to follow post-procedure instructions and take your recovery process seriously. To learn more about the facelift recovery process or my wide range of Band Aid procedures, schedule a consultation with me, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John L. LeRoy in Atlanta today. Additionally, make sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for more plastic and cosmetic surgery insights.

How to Maximize Your Breast Lift Surgery Results

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For those dealing with sagging, drooping breasts, breast lift surgery can make a significant difference in the appearance of the chest. This procedure removes excess skin and repositions the muscle and breast tissue to give the breasts a firmer, more youthful look. Because the results are so profound, it makes sense that most of my patients want to know how to maximize their post-procedure results.

woman-in-hat-with-red-flowersThere are a number of factors that determine how long breast lift results will last. Age, genetics, dietary habits and overall health can play a role in the length of your results. Depending on these factors and on personal preference, patients may experience long-lasting results or might want small revisions after a few years. Thankfully, I, Dr. John L. LeRoy, have a few suggestions to help you prolong the results of your breast lift surgery.

Avoid Weight Fluctuations

Extreme weight loss or gain can have negative effects on many cosmetic surgical procedures and breast lifts are no exception. Weight fluctuations cause the skin to stretch which can alter the appearance and overall results of your surgery. Because of this, you should plan on undergoing a breast lift once you have achieved and maintained your goal weight. Since the breast tissue experiences multiple changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding, I recommend breast lift surgery after you finish having children and have stopped breastfeeding.

Wear Proper Support

Because of the way gravity can affect the body, wearing a supportive bra post-surgery can help you increase the longevity of your breast lift. Wearing ill-fitting bras or avoiding them all together may cause your breasts to sag faster than usual. It’s especially important to wear supportive gear when you engage in physical activity because the rigorous movement can increase the effects of gravity on your body.

Take Care of Your Skin

As previously mentioned, skin elasticity, age and genetics can all play a role in how long your breast lift results last. While aging and genetic factors cannot be prevented, skin elasticity can be improved by avoiding prolonged sun exposure and always wearing sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher.

After your surgery, I will provide you with detailed instructions and guidelines to help you maintain the results of your procedure. I have decades of experience performing breast lifts, so I can guide you through expected outcomes and craft an individualized plan tailored for your needs. If you’d like to learn more about breast lift surgery or have any additional questions, contact me, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John L. LeRoy in Atlanta today. Also, make sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for more information about my monthly cosmetic specials and plastic surgery services.

How to Plan Your Exercise Routine After a Facelift

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Even for active people who follow a healthy diet plan and exercise regimen, facial features will inevitably start to sag and lose their youthfulness. As a solution for this cosmetic problem, a facelift tightens and lifts the skin to create natural-looking results that take years off a person’s appearance. However, we realize that those who exercise consistently might feel uncomfortable adjusting their routines. Dr. John LeRoy has performed over 6,000 facelifts throughout his career, and many of his patients are athletes or exercise enthusiasts. By following a post-procedure recovery plan, you can receive the incredible benefits from a facelift and still re enter your normal exercise routine afterward.

facelift, plastic surgery, cosmetic procedures, recovery, education Things to consider before your facelift procedure;

There are many variables that impact the length of a person’s recovery time after a facelift procedure. Factors such as age, health, and healing rate are all different for each person, so there isn’t an exact prediction that applies to everyone. This is why Dr. John LeRoy meets with patients before their procedure for an in-person consultation. It creates the opportunity for patients to discuss their needs and expectations so he can deliver their desired results.  During an in-person consultation, Dr. John LeRoy will cover all of the >facelift recovery information, and patients are welcome to contact our office with any follow-up questions.

Pace your recovery after facelift surgery

Your recovery period after a facelift surgery is crucial to preserving your long-term, positive results. Therefore, it’s important to pace yourself when returning to your exercise routine. After about 2 weeks, many patients can partake in light activities like walking, stretching, and some forms of yoga that don’t require techniques that send a lot of blood flow to the head. However, getting plenty of rest and avoiding excessive movement during the first couple of weeks is highly beneficial to ensure a speedy recovery. On week 3 and 4 of your recovery, you can go back to light exercise and physical activity, but if you notice any discomfort while doing so, it means that you need to wait longer to participate. Make sure to take it slow at first and work your way back up to the normal regimen. 

Once you’ve hit the four to eight-week mark of facelift recovery, it should be safe for you to participate in strenuous physical activity. For the majority of patients, this is enough time for complete recovery, so they can enjoy their outstanding facelift results and also recommit to their exercise routine. Keep in mind that this doesn’t necessarily apply to everyone. Some people require more than four to eight weeks to fully recover, so you’ll need to listen to your body and not push yourself too early.

All of double board-certified Dr. John LeRoy’s patients are strongly urged to carefully follow all of his recovery guidelines and communicate any questions or concerns before and after the facelift procedure. If you have any questions or to schedule an appointment, call our office at 404.843.0840. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more plastic surgery information and updates on our monthly cosmetic specials!