Model Image Facelift Patient Information

Facelift patient information


Introduction
The best candidate for a facelift in Manhattan with plastic surgeon Dr. Zevon is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well-defined. Most facelift patients are in their forties to sixties, but facelifts can be done successfully on people in their seventies and eighties as well. Facelifts are very individualized procedures. In your facelift consultation, Dr. Zevon will evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone, and discuss your goals for the surgery. Having a facelift doesn’t stop the clock. Your face will continue to age with time, and you may want to repeat the procedure one or more times—perhaps five or ten years down the line. But in another sense, the effects of even one facelift are lasting; years later, you’ll continue to look better than if you’d never had a facelift at all.

A facelift in Manhattan with cosmetic surgeon Dr. Zevon does not correct severely drooping brows or excess skin in the upper or lower eyelids, although it can be performed in conjunction with other procedures, such as a browlift or an eyelid lift. Dr. Zevon will tell you during your consultation whether or not facelift surgery will give you the desired result.

Starting Now
Please read and familiarize yourself with these instructions. By following them carefully, you will assist in obtaining the best possible result from your facelift in Manhattan with Dr. Zevon. If questions arise, do not hesitate to communicate with Dr. Zevon and discuss your questions at any time. Bring these instructions with you on the day of your facelift surgery. Re-read the General Instructions for Cosmetic Surgery Dr. Zevon gave you.

Locate your Personal Information Sheet and complete it so that Dr. Zevon’s office will know who will escort you home after your facelift surgery and where you plan to spend the night of your surgery. Bring it to your pre-operative appointment, or telephone, e-mail or fax the information to us. If you cannot locate it, let us know so that we can provide you with another.

If your hair is very short, you may want to let it grow before surgery, so that it will cover the scars as they heal. If you color your hair regularly, plan to have it done shortly before your facelift surgery date, as you will not be able to have your hair colored for about 4 weeks after facelift surgery.

The Day Before Your Surgery
Washing: Wash your hair, face, ears and neck for 10 minutes with anti-bacterial soap. Do not apply any moisturizers or other products to your face afterward. Do not set or style your hair.

NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT.

If your facelift surgery is in the afternoon, check with us regarding when and what you may eat or drink before surgery.

The Morning of Your Surgery
Washing
Shower and wash your face, ears and neck again with anti-bacterial soap. Do not apply any moisturizers or other products to your face, head or neck afterward. Do not set or style your hair. If you have long hair, you may wish to pull it back loosely with an elastic band.

Facial Products
Do not wear any make-up. Do not apply any moisturizers, sunscreens, or anything else on your face, head or neck. Do not use hairspray or perfume.

Clothing
Wear simple, comfortable, loose-fitting, dark-colored clothing that does not go on over your head. Wear tops with front closures such as buttons or zippers, bottoms that are easy to pull on, and comfortable shoes. Do not wear new clothes. Sweatpants are ideal. No high heels or pantyhose. Do not bring jewelry or valuables with you.

Bring sunglasses and a large scarf to wear after your facelift surgery to camouflage your appearance.

Immediately After Surgery
When you arrive home, rest quietly in bed with your head raised and straight. You will have a dressing on your head, and you may have some drains at the back of the dressing. If you feel nauseated, lie on your back and remain still. Any sensation of nausea should pass by the morning after your facelift surgery. Try to minimize conversation, smiling and laughing during the first 48 hours to keep your facial muscles quiet.

Medications
Take the antibiotics and pain medication prescribed by Dr. Zevon according to the pharmacy instructions. Don’t take the pain medication on an empty stomach because this will produce nausea and vomiting. Have another adult give you the pain medication at the correct time and/or keep written records of how much you take and when you take it. You do not have to take the pain medicine if you are not in pain, but you must take all of your antibiotics. Do not drive while taking pain medication.

Contact Dr. Zevon If…
You have pain that is not responding to pain medication.

DON’T TAKE CHANCES! CALL IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ANYTHING YOU CONSIDER SIGNIFICANT. During office hours, call 212.496.6600. After hours, call 917.612.3800.

What To Expect After Surgery

Following your facelift in Manhattan with Dr. Zevon, a small, thin tube (called a drain) may be temporarily placed under the skin behind your ear to drain any fluid that might collect there. Dr. Zevon will wrap your head loosely in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling.

You will have:

  • Moderate discomfort;
  • Moderate swelling;
  • Bruising (black and blue discoloration) of the face;
  • Bloodshot eyes; and
  • Slight signs of blood on the bandages.

Expect to feel tired for 7 to 10 days after your facelift surgery. Try to get adequate rest, fluids and nutrition. Most facelift patients feel “tight” around the head and neck. This sensation should subside during the first week after surgery and will continue to improve gradually. You may feel numb in different areas of the face, neck and ears. This is common and may last for weeks, months or up to a year after your facelift surgery. You will have visible bruising (black and blue discoloration) and swelling of the face and neck for 2 or 3 weeks or more. You will have incisions that may be raised, slightly red and feel firm for several weeks or months after facelift in Manhattan with Dr. Zevon. Your face and neck may feel rigid or too tight during this time. Expect not to look your best for 1 to 3 months after your facelift surgery. Normal healing continues for up to one year.

Moving Your Head
The first day after your facelift surgery, support your head with your hands when you sit up from a lying down position. If you have assistance, another person can support you carefully and help you sit up. During the first 2 weeks after facelift surgery in Manhattan with Dr. Zevon, do not twist your neck to turn your head. Instead turn your shoulders, not your neck. When you bend, bend your hips, knees, and ankles—do not bend from the waist, dropping your head.

Diet & Clothing
Eat a soft diet requiring little or no chewing. Drink lots of liquids. Avoid very hot foods or liquids. Avoid prolonged chewing–do not chew hard or tough foods for the first week after your surgery. Do not gain or lose more than 5 pounds if possible or your results may be adversely affected.

For the first week after your facelift surgery, do not pull clothing over your head–wear clothing with front closures.

Activity Restrictions
Continue the avoidance of aspirin, aspirin products, Vitamin E and smoking for 2 weeks after your facelift in Manhattan with Dr. Zevon. Do not drink alcohol for 5 days after facelift surgery or while you are taking the prescription pain medication. You may drive a car with power steering after 1 week. Refrain from sexual activity for 10 days after facelift surgery. Do not fly for 10 days after surgery. Do not schedule elective dentistry for 1 month after facelift surgery, but you may have dental work in an emergency.

Grooming & Hair Care
When Dr. Zevon permits, you may shower or bathe with warm water and gentle water pressure. You will have stitches in your scalp and around your ears. You can clean these areas gently with shampoo and your fingers or a wet cotton pad. Do not pull your ears away from your head. You may wash your hair with mild shampoo 1 week after your facelift in Manhattan with Dr. Zevon. You may rinse your hair with conditioner before and after you shampoo to remove tangles. Continue to wash your hair daily for one week. Rinse your hair thoroughly, pat it dry with a towel, and comb or brush it gently. You may use a blow dryer on a cool setting. Do not use a warm or hot blow dryer or sit under a hot hair dryer. Do not use any hair clips or rollers for 4 weeks after facelift surgery. If desired, you can dye your hair or get a permanent 4 weeks after your surgery is completely healed. Do not tweeze, wax, or bleach facial hair for 4 weeks after surgery. Do not wear pierced earrings for 3 weeks after facelift surgery. Men may shave with an electric razor 1 week after surgery. Men may find they have to shave in new places behind the neck and ears where areas of beard- growing skin have been repositioned.

Make-Up
You may wear make-up after checking with Dr. Zevon. During each post-operative visit, feel free to ask Dr. Zevon until he says you are ready. We can assist you in techniques for concealing bruising and redness. We carry camouflage cosmetic products for post-surgery facelift patients. You can also use your own makeup and concealer. If you are interested, ask for a brochure on camouflage cosmetics.

Herbal Remedies
Some facelift patients report that arnica contributes to a reduction in bruising or swelling, resulting in reduced discomfort and edema as well as improved healing. Ask us if you would like assistance in locating a source of arnica. Take arnica orally according to manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging.

Post-Operative Appointments
It is important to see Dr. Zevon as scheduled after your facelift surgery. If you have drains, they will be removed during the first few days after your surgery along with your head wrap. Your stitches will be removed in stages as determined by Dr. Zevon based upon how you are healing. The stitches in front of the ears and under the chin are removed approximately five days after your facelift in Manhattan with Dr. Zevon. The stitches in the hair and behind the ears will be removed approximately 2 weeks after surgery. Check your post-operative instructions for your first appointment. If you don’t have an appointment, call (212) 496-6600, tell the receptionist the date you had surgery, and she will schedule your post-operative appointment. At each post-operative appointment, Dr. Zevon will advise you how soon the next one should be scheduled.

Recovery Time
INITIAL: 7 to 10 days

SUBSTANTIAL: 1 to 3 months

COMPLETE: Up to 1 year

Resuming Normal Activities
WORK: Follow the plan you have agreed upon with Dr. Zevon. For planning purposes, you can assume it may take up to two weeks to return to work, although some facelift patients are able to return to work in less time.

Exposure To Sunlight
Avoid direct sun exposure on incisions for 1 month. Scars take at least one year to fade to their greatest extent. During this time, it is advisable to protect them from the sun. Use a high SPF sunblock and a hat when outside on sunny days. We carry sunscreens suitable for post-surgery facelift patients. Continue avoidance of the sun and heat, including steam rooms and saunas, for 3 months to avoid swelling.

Call (212) 496-6600