Facelift / Neck Lift Pre & Post Op Instructions
Please watch this video in full and review this page along with corresponding email at least 2 weeks prior to your procedure.
When a nurse calls you for pre op (usually 10-14 days prior to procedure), this must be reviewed in full before they can facilitate that call.
Pre-Op Instructions
- Avoiding Blood Thinning Medications & Supplements – Blood thinning medication and herbal supplements should be avoided at least two weeks prior to procedure and two weeks after the procedure. Some common blood thinners include Advil, Aleve. Aspirin. Ibuprofen. Excedrin. Motrin. Some herbal supplements include fish oil and vitamin E. These should all be avoided at least two weeks before and two weeks after. A link to the list of blood thinners and herbal supplements to avoid is available in the description here: Medications & Supplements to Avoid
- Avoid Alcohol & Caffeine Before & After – Alcohol should be avoided a week before the procedure and a week after the procedure. Avoid caffeine two days before the procedure and two days after the procedure.
- Prepare to Have a Caretaker – It is very important to have a caretaker in mind during your pre-op call. A caretaker is required for a patient that is going under anesthesia. A caretaker is responsible for picking up the patient and staying with them for the first 24 hours.
The caretaker’s name and phone number will be provided during the pre-op call.
Please let us know if you do not have a caretaker so we can help provide one for a fee.
- Arriving on Time For Your Procedure – It is very important to arrive on time at the scheduled check-in time. Please allow flexibility during your day, because surgeries can run a little bit longer than scheduled and end a little bit sooner than scheduled.
- Going Over Your Prescriptions – Prescriptions will be sent to your preferred pharmacy prior to surgery. Bring your medication with you the day of your surgery. We will go over them in detail in person the day of the surgery with the nurse present. Most medications are covered by insurance, if not their options, such as GoodRX.
- Materials to Get Before Your Procedure – Some materials you’ll need to purchase before the procedure include hydrogen peroxide, bacitracin ointment, Q-tips, gauze, ice or frozen peas, powdered greens and whey protein powder, baby shampoo, straws and prepared soft foods.A small supply bag will be provided to you after your procedure goes. Include 4×4 gauze, bacitracin ointment, medical Q-tips, Pearson spray, and a neck pillow to help stabilize your head and provide extra comfort when healing.
- Fasting Before Your Procedure – Patients going under anesthesia must refrain from eating and drinking eight hours prior to your procedure. This includes water.
- Medical History Verification – Your medical history will be verified by one of our nurses to verify if you need medical clearance before your procedure.
- Surgery Fees – A nonrefundable deposit of $1,000 is required to secure a surgery date.
There is a $500 rescheduling fee to change your surgery date. If you cancel within two weeks of surgery. There is a $2,000 cancellation fee for 48 hours or earlier prior to surgery. Cancellations within 24 hours of surgery a $3,000 fee will apply. All fees for surgery are due within two weeks prior and are nonrefundable.
Day of Surgery Instructions
- Arriving For Surgery – Day of surgery. Please arrive with no makeup, no fingernail polish, and no piercings around your face or neck. If you have facial hair, please shave and come with a clean face. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes that you can easily take on and off. You will go home and our robe that we provide you.
- Pregnancy Test – We will need a urine sample the day of surgery per anesthesia for a pregnancy test. Please be mindful not to pee right before you arrive.
- Going Over Medication – We will be prescribing a list of medications based on allergies that varies from patient to patient. Please remember to bring in all medications that were called into your pharmacy. The day of procedure, as you’ll be taking them with a nurse present.
- Sleeping Elevated To Reduce Swelling – You can expect to be swollen for 3 to 7 days. Sleep elevated using two pillows to help reduce swelling.
- What to Avoid After Your Procedure – After your procedure, please still avoid blood thinning medications for another two weeks. Alcohol for one more week and caffeine for two more days.
- Please avoid eating sharp foods such as chips, hard candies, etc.
- Please avoid exercise for the first ten days.
- Please avoid foods with high salt content for one week.
- ANTIBIOTICS – Keflex or Clindamycin – You will be prescribed an antibiotic to help prevent infection. You will either be prescribed Keflex or Clindamycin. The instructions for Keflex are one tab every 12 hours, twice a day. The instructions for clindamycin are one tab every six hours, four times a day. You will start taking your antibiotic the night of surgery. It is very important to finish your antibiotic as it helps prevent infection.
- PAIN – Celebrex, Gabapentin, Valium, Norco and Tramadol – You’ll be prescribed five medications to help with pain discomfort. These include Celebrex, gabapentin, Valium, Norco and tramadol. You also can take Tylenol Extra Strength 1000mg. This is over the counter. This is every 6 to 8 hours. Celebrex and gabapentin are one tab every 12 hours. Valium is one tab every eight hours as needed. Norco is one tab every 4 to 6 hours. Tramadol is one tab every 4 to 6 hours. If you are taking Norco or tremble, wait 1 or 2 hours apart before taking Valium.
- SWELLING – Medrol Dose Pack – You will also be prescribed a steroid to help with swelling. Start the morning after surgery. Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the package.
- NAUSEA / VOMITING – Scopolamine Patch – One possible side effect of anesthesia is nausea and vomiting. To help reduce the chances of experiencing this. A patch will be placed on you the morning of surgery. -The patch is called scopolamine patch. It can be worn up to three days post-op. Please wash your hands immediately after removing.
- REDUCE BLEEDING – TXA (Tranexamic Acid) – It is normal to experience minor bleeding from incisions for the first few days after surgery. The medication that will help minimize this amount of bleeding is called TXA or Tranexamic Acid. Please take the remaining pill the night of surgery. Do not take if you are on birth control or any hormonal replacement medication.
- CONTROL BLOOD PRESSURE – Clonidine – A nurse will instruct you, if necessary, to take clonidine. This is one tab, every eight hours as needed to help lower your blood pressure.
Post-Op Instructions
- Head Wrap – When you wake up from surgery, you will have a tight wrap around your head. This wrapped removed 48 hours at your post-op appointment unless instructed otherwise. Icing clean any exposed areas, but do not worry about incisions or areas covered by the wrap.
At your post-op appointment, you’ll be provided a reusable compression garment. Please wear as much as possible for the first week. This garment should be removed when chewing food, showering, and brushing teeth. After week one, the garment is only worn at bedtime. Please wash the garment by hand as needed.
- Incision Cleaning – For the first week after your procedure, it is important to clean your incisions 2 to 4 times per day.
You’re going to spray the area clean with Pearson spray and dab it dry with glass. Using a 1:1 ratio of hydrogen peroxide in warm water. Please take a Q-Tip and clean directly over the incisions.
Once the area is dry, use another Q-Tip to apply a thin layer of bacitracin ointment to the incisions.
If you are unsure of where your incisions are, please ask a nurse.
- LOWER BLEPHAROPLASTY – LOWER LINE LASH LINE – If your procedure includes a lower blepharoplasty and your incisions are along the lower lash line, please spray Q-Tip with Pearson and gently roll over the incisions. Dry the area using a clean Q-Tip and apply Refresh Tears PM or any artificial tears gel.
- LOWER BLEPHAROPLASTY – INSIDE THE EYE – If your procedure includes a lower blepharoplasty and the incisions are inside the eye, there are no external incisions to clean.
- UPPER BLEPHAROPLASTY – If your procedure includes an upper blepharoplasty, please spray Q-Tip with Pearson and gently roll over the incision. Dry the area using a clean Q-Tip and apply refresh, tears or any artificial tears gel.
- Icing – It is very important to ice after your procedure, as swelling is the most prominent during the first week. Please apply ice under the chin, on the forehead and to the cheek eye area for the first three days. Ice 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
- Diet Post Procedure –The recommended diet after your procedure is soft food for the first week. This includes protein shakes and smoothies. We also recommend powdered greens daily. Please avoid foods with high salt content as that can cause swelling. No carbonated beverages for two weeks.
- Showering Post Procedure – Please refrain from showering until you’re two days post-op. Use only cool or lukewarm water. Avoid hot water during the first week. Please use baby shampoo to wash the hair for the first two weeks post-op. Please do not use conditioner on the scalp.