Content

• General information
• 5 tips for a smooth facelift recovery

What is it?

Surely you know someone who feels that they have excess skin in the region of the cheeks, or that over time has felt that their face has lost elasticity and the skin hangs at jaw level or after losing weight, has noticed that the skin is now more flaccid than before.

Facial lifting helps to improve the appearance of skin that is "hanging" on the face, giving a more youthful appearance, and is usually performed together with other complementary treatments.

There are different techniques to perform a facelift. Dr. Vargas uses the Deep Plane facelift technique which means that all the facial and neck muscles are re positioned resulting in a more natural and youthful look.

Recovery time

3-4 weeks. During this period, a special bandage or chin strap is required, which wraps around the face and head, allowing the tissues to deflate more quickly. The post-operative diet does not require special modifications, except to avoid spicy or salty foods.

Regarding sleep position, patients who undergo a facelift are recommended to sleep on their backs for the first 2-3 weeks with 2 or 3 pillows to help reduce facial swelling.

It is important to note that after a facelift, the face may appear swollen, bruised, and with slight asymmetries for the first 3 weeks. This is completely normal and expected as part of the healing process, especially during the first week post-surgery. During the second week post-surgery, swelling begins to subside by approximately 50%, and bruising will still be visible. From the third week, swelling will be reduced by 70 to 80%, and bruising will almost completely disappear between this and the 4th week. From the 5th or 6th week, the bandage can be used only during the day and removed at night.

The scar requires special care such as:

• Preventing crust formation.
• Avoiding or protecting from sun exposure.
• Applying special creams or medications recommended by your surgeon to prevent the scar from becoming visible.

Stiches removal

5 days after surgery

Alternative or additional treatments

It is common to perform this surgery along with other procedures that help improve the aesthetics of the eyes such as blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), lip lift, and/or fat transfer in regions such as the cheekbones, cheeks, chin or even on the earlobes to give an overall rejuvenated look.

Other additional treatments that can be performed are peelings, botulinum toxin, or hyaluronic acid injection.

Candidates

Candidates for this type of procedure are usually men or women who have some laxity of the facial skin on the cheeks or cheekbones. There is no defined age to say that a patient is a candidate for this procedure since it does not depend on this but on the characteristics of the skin they have at the time of the assessment.

A facelift is a major surgery, but it can be a very effective way to rejuvenate your appearance. The recovery process can take several weeks, but by following these tips, you can help ensure a smooth and speedy recovery:

1. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. This includes taking all of your medications as prescribed, avoiding strenuous activity, and keeping your head elevated.
2. Get plenty of rest. Your body needs time to heal, so it's important to get plenty of rest.      This means sleeping for 7-8 hours per night and taking naps during the day  if needed.
3. Ice your face. Applying ice to your face can help reduce swelling and bruising. You can use a cold compress or a bag of frozen peas.
4. Wear a compression garment.  Your doctor may recommend wearing a compression garment to help reduce swelling and support your skin.
5. Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet will help your body heal and recover. Make sure to      eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

In addition to these tips, here are a few other things you can do to help your facelift recovery:

• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. These substances can slow down the healing process.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juice, and clear broth.
• Keep your incisions clean and dry. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for your incisions.
• Don't lift anything heavy. This could put strain on your incisions and delay your recovery.

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