Maximise your facial surgery results and recovery by following five key steps.
Even before making the decision to undergo facial surgery, patients can maximise their chances of achieving an optimal physical and psychological outcome by fully preparing themselves. This includes understanding what the procedure will involve, setting realistic expectations, learning about and acknowledging possible risks and complications, as well as planning for a prolonged period of recovery. It’s of equal importance to explore any underlying motivations for seeking change with friends and family, and to prepare the body physically for surgery by ensuring it’s in its best possible health.
None of this can be rushed, but taking the time prior to surgery will help alleviate much of the anxiety that can surround cosmetic changes.
1. Choose wisely
Choosing a surgeon is one of the most important decisions facing someone thinking of undergoing facial surgery, and one of the first to be faced. The surgeon’s experience, training and judgement will all impact on the physical outcomes of surgery, as will their openness to discuss concerns and question the patient’s motivation during the consultation prior to surgery.
When it comes to selecting a doctor for facial surgery, prospective patients should ensure their surgeon’s training and certification is appropriate to the specific procedure they will be performing. Certification from the relevant medical board or body reassures a patient the doctor has completed additional requirements surrounding continuing education and experience in cosmetic surgery.
Trusted sources of information include the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery (ACCS) and the Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (AAFPS).
2. Keep it real
For the right individual, facial surgery can restore confidence on both the inside and out. It can be a highly successful procedure for people who are both physically healthy and psychologically sound. However, having a clear and realistic understanding of what a procedure can and can’t achieve is important prior to committing to surgery.
Facial skin type and age will both influence surgical outcomes, so individuals interested in having surgery should meet with a qualified surgeon to discuss individual expectations. By communicating which features of their face they are unhappy with initially, patients can look forward to a better post-surgery outcome.
Similarly, if the motivation behind seeking surgery is to achieve a more youthful appearance, it’s important to acknowledge that, although this can be achieved in the short term, the face will continue to age and change over time. A good skincare regime and sun protection is always recommended as a long-term combatant to some of the effects of facial ageing, both before and after a procedure.
Despite its potential limitations, facelifts and other facial procedures remain popular because of the long-lasting and noticeable results they can achieve. A facelift is considered the gold standard of facial surgery in achieving dramatic outcomes for reversing the clock on patient’s faces. However, patients need to understand the limitations of their procedure in order to manage their reaction to the outcomes. The goal of a facelift and other facial surgery should be to rejuvenate the face and give it a fresher look, not to radically change its appearance.
A facelift is a tailored procedure that will be altered according to the unique face shape of the patient, their underlying bone structure, age and general state of health.
While facial skin is tightened and repositioned to create a more youthful-looking appearance, a facelift will not eliminate wrinkles or skin imperfections such as acne scars and hollows, and nor is it possible to alter the shape of the face.
Similarly, significantly older people with less elastic skin may not obtain the same cosmetic result that can be achieved in those with younger, more supple skin.
3. Prep yourself
When it comes to preparing for surgery, research is a fundamental aspect of patient safety and prospective patients are encouraged to learn as much as possible about the procedure they are seeking ahead of selecting and meeting with their surgeon. It’s equally important for the surgeon to conduct his or her own research, which will take place during the consultation.
The consultation provides the surgeon with the opportunity to discuss the chosen procedure in detail with the patient. The surgeon will relay the type of anaesthesia to be used, the risks, limitations and costs involved, and will outline the steps to take both leading up to and after surgery. Importantly, the surgeon will also be able to ask the patient about their expectations, goals and reasons for pursuing surgery.
A full medical history will be taken during the consultation, and the surgeon will evaluate the shape and structure of the patient’s facial bones, their skin tone and elasticity, and the extent of facial ageing in order to determine which procedure and techniques are best suited to the individual. This will also help the surgeon determine the results that can realistically be achieved.
Lab testing or a medical evaluation may be required in order to establish a patient’s level of health and fitness, and alterations to any existing medication plan may be recommended. Aspirin and other blood thinning drugs, for example, should not be taken in the lead up to surgery, and smokers will need to stop well in advance of surgery due to the increase in surgical and anaesthetic complications caused by smoking tobacco.
Along with the physical aspect of preparing for surgery, it’s also important patients are mentally prepared for the change that will take place in their appearance. Not only are there physical complications associated with surgery but there can also be psychological reactions.
Part of preparing for surgery means coming to terms with the fact that there will be a different face reflected in the mirror post-surgery. Being aware of this and accepting a ‘new and improved’ look will help patients return to normal, everyday life more readily.
4. Understand the risks
Every surgical procedure involves some risk. In skilled hands, facial procedures have an excellent safety profile. But despite the highest standards of surgical practice, complications can still occur. The most effective way to minimise the risks is to have a thorough physical examination prior to surgery and to follow the surgeon’s advice and guidance.
With most facial surgery procedures, some scarring should be expected, but an experienced surgeon can minimise and hide these scars so they become barely perceptible over time. For these reasons, it is important to choose a qualified and experienced surgeon.
Complications following a facial procedure often prove to be temporary. These may include blood or fluid retention under the skin, crusting of scars and numbness. There is a minimal risk of nerve damage or infection. Complications vary from procedure to procedure: for example, neck and brow lifts are often considered less complicated and usually involve less pain and lower risk than a complete facelift.
There are some more common post-operative facelift complications and side effects such as temporary nausea and general sickness after receiving anaesthesia. Although some light, post-operative bleeding is normal, uncontrolled bleeding is dangerous and can lead to haematomas.
This develops where bleeding occurs under the skin, leaving the area painfully swollen and may require another operation to stop the flow and remove the blood.
There is a slight chance of developing deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications, or fat necrosis where fatty tissue dies. Localised infection may also occur, indicated by swelling, sensitivity, redness and heat. Unless it is severe, an infection can usually be relieved with a course of antibiotics.
The risks specific to facial surgery include injury to the nerves that control facial muscles; problems with healing, which is more frequent in patients who smoke; scarring; crust on the incisions; and numbness or tingling around the incisions. Skin loss or discolouration is rare but can occur and continue for several months.
Some patients form raised keloid scars or suffer hair loss around the incisions. Hair transplant surgery may be needed to correct this and men may find they will need to shave extra areas because skin has been moved. Facelift surgery can also result in asymmetrical ears, but this can be corrected with minor surgery.
5. Take time out
Immediately after surgery, patients will be taken to a recovery area. While some doctors prefer not to use bandages, others may apply a loose-fitting wrap or a compression garment to facilitate healing. A compression garment is tight-fitting, and will help to reduce swelling by preventing fluid build-up, as well as provide comfort and support. Although loose bandages may be removed in several days, compression garments are often worn for up to a few weeks.
Post-surgery, most patients can expect to experience some pain, bruising and swelling, most of which will subside within a few weeks. If a surgical drain was used, it will usually be removed within a day, and non-absorbable sutures may be removed in around seven to 10 days. Any discomfort experienced can be controlled with pain medication as needed.
Some patients will be allowed to go home after a few hours, whereas others may stay overnight in a hospital or surgical facility.
Keeping the head elevated by sitting up or propping it up on pillows is beneficial in reducing post-operative swelling. Surgeons may also recommend the use of a cold compress.
The specific length of recovery is dependent on factors such as age, pre-operative activity level as well as the number and type of procedures that have been performed. However, most patients can usually return to everyday activities after between two and three weeks. Final results may not be evident until several months after surgery.
During the recovery period, it is important that surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion or motion during healing. Patients should refrain from wearing any clothing that has to be pulled down over the head, as well as avoiding excessive sun exposure and cigarette smoke.
It is not uncommon for some patients to struggle with disappointment or depression immediately following surgery as the positive results often take several weeks to become noticeable. Only once the swelling has gone down and the face has finished healing will the results be visible.
