Smoking and Face Lift Surgery

January 30th, 2011 Posted in Facelifts
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Quitting smoking is an important thing you can do for your health, but if you are undergoing plastic or cosmetic surgery, it is a must.  If you are having a facelift, it is best that you have quit smoking for at least one month prior to the time of your face lift surgery.

When you smoke, blood flow is reduced in many areas, including your face.  If you continue to smoke before and after facial cosmetic surgery and your facelift, you run a 10% chance of developing tissue necrosis at the incision site.  One in ten smokers who have a facelift will develop this failure to heal syndrome. 

Tissue necrosis is skin and cell death.  Treatment for tissue necrosis requires skin grafting, and long hospitalizations with IV antibiotics.  Several surgeries are usually required to repair the damage caused by tissue necrosis, and even then, scarring is likely.

Signs of tissue necrosis are black wound beds, and scars that look like they are coming ‘apart at the seams’. 

If you are a smoker and are considering or have scheduled a facelift, discuss with your surgeon when you should stop smoking.  There are ways to help minimize the cravings associated with nicotine withdrawal, but remember that patches or gum that contains nicotine can also cause tissue necrosis so should not be used before or after surgery.  Your surgeon can also prescribe some medications that may help relieve the anxiety associated with stopping smoking, so be open and honest when discussing your smoking history. 

To determine if you are a candidate for a facelift, please contact your local facial plastic surgeon for a consultation.

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Facelift Basics

January 30th, 2011 Posted in Facelifts
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A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is designed to help decrease wrinkles and other signs of aging in the facial area.  Facelifts are appropriate when injectibles and fillers no longer work, or if the individual desires a more permanent solution.  Facelifts will last for ten years or more and will help correct the sagging that occurs with time to all of us. 

If you are considering face lift surgery, recognize that this is a major surgical procedure that requires some healing time.  Individuals who are candidates for a facelift show signs of sagging in the mid-face region, deeper creases below the lower eyelids, or the corners of the mouth, or loose and excess skin or fat deposits under the chin and jaw (a ‘double’ chin).

If you decide to have a facelift, there are several important things you should know.  Consultation with a facial plastic / cosmetic surgeon is your best bet for a successful surgical experience.  Two weeks before surgery, stop taking any non-steroidals (NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen or naproxen) that you may be on, or other medications that may cause blood thinning.  Herbal and over the counter products that cause blood thinning should also be discontinued one to two weeks prior to surgery, including garlic, fish oil, omega threes, green tea, baby aspirin, and Saint John’s Wort.  However, always speak to your surgeon and other physicians before abruptly stopping any medications so that the safest plan can be determined for you.

You should also quit smoking if you are a smoker.  Smoking has been shown to limit the positive effects of a facelift, and also increases your risk during anesthesia.  If you are considering a facelift, contact your local facial plastic surgeon for a consult and determination if a facelift is right for you.

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Preparing for Facelift Surgery

November 26th, 2010 Posted in Facelifts
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You have decided to have a facelift.  You have discussed the options with your professional facial plastic surgeon, weighed the pros and cons, and have decided that facelift surgery is the best option for you.  How do you best prepare?

Facelift surgery is a major surgical procedure that lasts 2-4 hours.  It is generally performed as an outpatient.  When you leave surgery, a white fluffy dressing is usually in place.  This dressing is generally removed by the surgeon within a few hours to one day, and replaced with an elastic type bandage.  Drains are often in place to help minimize swelling and edema associated with the surgery.  You will likely have some discoloration of your face (you may have some bruising) that can last up to one to two weeks.  You should plan on taking some time off of work during this period.

About two weeks before facelift surgery you should schedule a pre-operative appointment with your surgeon and his assistant.  At this time, review any medications you may be taking.  This includes any medicines that may be over the counter or any herbal or alternative medication products you currently use.  You may be advised to stop some of these medications, and your surgeon may wish to discuss alternatives of other medicines.  Never be embarrassed to share with your surgeon any medications you are taking.  Your surgeon may also prescribe some new medications for you to take, or add in some herbal supplements to aid in healing. 

Most importantly, stop smoking.  For some of the dangers associated with smoking and cosmetic surgery, see our article on this topic.  Trust your surgeon, and get ready for a new you!

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