-
Angie_M
Pre-Op
1. Check with your doctor what medications (particularly aspirin, ibuprofen, and aspirin containing medications) and supplements you should discontinue taking in the weeks leading up to your procedure. If you smoke, quit (at least for now), as smoking has been proven to exacerbate complications following surgery.2. Fill your pain medication prescription and any other prescriptions you might have.
Image from RealSelf member Light Again
3. "Be proactive. This is just my opinion, but if you are planning on losing weight, do it prior to surgery. Unless you are blessed with really pliable/elastic skin that bounces back as you lose weight (which I was not), excess skin doesn't tighten up or go away. Be committed to keeping your weight in check. You shouldn't expect the results to be successful for any length of time if your weight goes up and down." ~ Boobug
4. Set up a recovery station. Most doctors recommend sleeping at an incline for the first couple of weeks post-op, so decide if you're going to use a recliner, purchase a wedge-pillow or other specialty pillows, or just reconfigure your current bedding to suit your needs.
5. So you know what to expect, ask your doctor if he or she will be inserting drains or prefers you to wear a chin strap to prevent hematomas and seromas post op.
"Generally, a neck lift entails elevating the skin away from the underlying muscle and removing fat in between these 2 layers. "You don't need to wear a chin strap afterwards but gives an additional layer of security assuring that the skin will appose to the underlying tissue and not sag while it's healing." ~ Mike Majmundar, MD
"Chin straps are no longer used in contemporary neck lift surgery. Two Jackson-Pratt drains are typically used in the postoperative period that will stay in for from two to four days depending upon the amount of fluid that is removed from them during this time." ~ William Portuese, MD
6. Line up someone to help you at least the first 24 to 72 hours post-op (and drive you home from your surgery). It can be harder than you might imagine to keep track of your pain meds, fetch drinks, and make sure all is well with immediate healing.
7. Ask your doctor about eating and drinking before surgery. If you will be going under general anesthesia, you'll be required to abstain from food and liquids for some time before surgery (usually from the evening before surgery until after your procedure is finished).
POST-OP
1. "You should be up walking immediately after surgery to prevent clots in your legs." ~ Larry Nichter, MD
2. Get lots of rest and do not bend, lift, strain or drive until your doctor gives you the okay to do so.
3. Most patients can generally expect to be presentable within three weeks from surgery. Patients should expect swelling, bruising, and discoloration of the skin during this phase of recovery (swelling normally goes down after 48 hours; most bruising will go away within two weeks. ~ Mike Majmundar, MD
4. Don't eat pizza. "Wow even though this is my 5th day I had one slice of pizza and blew up oh well back to jello and ensure no salt until this swelling comes down more darn." ~ Pinkieleeoo
5. Remember those pillows and/or that recliner? "You should try to keep your head elevated after a facelift or necklift for approximately 7-10 days after surgery. This will allow you to reduce bruising and swelling and allow for a quicker recovery. Your doctor can give you specific advise depending upon your actual surgery and condition." ~ Randy J. Buckspan, MD
6. Follow your doctor's orders religiously. He or she will tell you how to take care of your incision, when you can wash your hair, and when to attend follow up appointments.
7. Get excited about your results, even though you may not see final results for many months to a year. "Patients who undergo a neck lift are usually so thrilled when they see the improvement in the appearance of their neck on the first postoperative day that it makes the recovery seem worth every day!" ~ Lisa Ishii, MD
3. "Be proactive. This is just my opinion, but if you are planning on losing weight, do it prior to surgery. Unless you are blessed with really pliable/elastic skin that bounces back as you lose weight (which I was not), excess skin doesn't tighten up or go away. Be committed to keeping your weight in check. You shouldn't expect the results to be successful for any length of time if your weight goes up and down." ~ Boobug
4. Set up a recovery station. Most doctors recommend sleeping at an incline for the first couple of weeks post-op, so decide if you're going to use a recliner, purchase a wedge-pillow or other specialty pillows, or just reconfigure your current bedding to suit your needs.
5. So you know what to expect, ask your doctor if he or she will be inserting drains or prefers you to wear a chin strap to prevent hematomas and seromas post op.
"Generally, a neck lift entails elevating the skin away from the underlying muscle and removing fat in between these 2 layers. "You don't need to wear a chin strap afterwards but gives an additional layer of security assuring that the skin will appose to the underlying tissue and not sag while it's healing." ~ Mike Majmundar, MD
"Chin straps are no longer used in contemporary neck lift surgery. Two Jackson-Pratt drains are typically used in the postoperative period that will stay in for from two to four days depending upon the amount of fluid that is removed from them during this time." ~ William Portuese, MD
6. Line up someone to help you at least the first 24 to 72 hours post-op (and drive you home from your surgery). It can be harder than you might imagine to keep track of your pain meds, fetch drinks, and make sure all is well with immediate healing.
7. Ask your doctor about eating and drinking before surgery. If you will be going under general anesthesia, you'll be required to abstain from food and liquids for some time before surgery (usually from the evening before surgery until after your procedure is finished).
POST-OP
1. "You should be up walking immediately after surgery to prevent clots in your legs." ~ Larry Nichter, MD
2. Get lots of rest and do not bend, lift, strain or drive until your doctor gives you the okay to do so.
3. Most patients can generally expect to be presentable within three weeks from surgery. Patients should expect swelling, bruising, and discoloration of the skin during this phase of recovery (swelling normally goes down after 48 hours; most bruising will go away within two weeks. ~ Mike Majmundar, MD
4. Don't eat pizza. "Wow even though this is my 5th day I had one slice of pizza and blew up oh well back to jello and ensure no salt until this swelling comes down more darn." ~ Pinkieleeoo
5. Remember those pillows and/or that recliner? "You should try to keep your head elevated after a facelift or necklift for approximately 7-10 days after surgery. This will allow you to reduce bruising and swelling and allow for a quicker recovery. Your doctor can give you specific advise depending upon your actual surgery and condition." ~ Randy J. Buckspan, MD
6. Follow your doctor's orders religiously. He or she will tell you how to take care of your incision, when you can wash your hair, and when to attend follow up appointments.
7. Get excited about your results, even though you may not see final results for many months to a year. "Patients who undergo a neck lift are usually so thrilled when they see the improvement in the appearance of their neck on the first postoperative day that it makes the recovery seem worth every day!" ~ Lisa Ishii, MD