After Face and Neck Lift surgery
The operation usually lasts 2-3 hours, depending on the size of the problem. Preoperative examination The preoperative examination will be done in the hospital or elsewhere by appointment. The corresponding medicines will be given to you in the operating room during the operation and you will continue them after your discharge from the hospital.
Stay in the hospital
You usually leave on the same day or occasionally, stay overnight.
Bandages
When you wake up you will have simple bandages and you will not be able to see your face well. The bandages will be changed in 1-2 days and you will use a special corset for 1-2 weeks. Small stickers on the wounds will go away with your bath.
Cleanliness
Washing in the bath or shower will begin as soon as the gauze and drains are removed, in 1-2 days. In your bathroom you will slowly start massaging with the foam to quickly return to your daily routine.
Drainages
It may take up to 24 hours. They are used to get out any unwanted fluid after the operation.
Stitches
They will be removed in 5-6 days.
Special Corset
In the 1st change, in 1-2 days, you will wear a soft corset the size of your face. You will need to wear it, to keep the skin in its new position, for 1-2 weeks continuously and for another 2 weeks only at night.
Time out of work
Allow 1-2 weeks out of work. The return is varied in different patients and the intensity of your work plays a big role. In manual work you have to wait at least 2 weeks.
Athletic activities
You can start simple daily activities during the week but in the gym you can exercise in about 1 month. These times, of course, are indicative and depend on the endurance of each patient, and may vary from person to person.
Postoperative instructions
In the 1st week you should start slowly and give yourself a chance to come back. You should not take care of young children or do chores at home without help.
In the 2nd week you can start doing more such as free walking, shopping etc. If all the wounds are healthy you can increase your activity as long as you feel well.
At the end of the 4th week you should be able to do everything.
Restoration and final result
You should expect some bruising and related swelling on the face and neck for about 1-2 weeks. The face and neck will be slightly swollen and you will gradually improve, until complete recovery.
Driving
Although you may feel able to drive from the first week, it is best to wait for the first 3-4 weeks and drive only when you are unrestricted.
Monitoring
After leaving the hospital, we will be in touch by phone. I will check you for a change of bandages on the 2nd or 3rd day and at the end of the 1st week, to remove the stitches. Once again in 4 weeks for photography and final instructions.
Possible complications
This is a routine operation with great success for the vast majority of patients. However, as with any procedure, it is very important to understand what can go wrong. Possible complications are listed below.
Skin loss: This is extremely uncommon and occurs when the blood supply to the skin is insufficient. The risks are if the skin is pulled too tight (therefore it is always avoided) and in patients who are heavy smokers.
Altered skin sensation: This is common initially after surgery, but for the majority of patients the sensation will return in a few weeks.
Altered ear position: This is very unusual, but can be corrected with local anesthesia.
Small areas of asymmetry: The same operation will be performed on both sides. There is a small risk of small differences in the surface of the skin on both sides. These can be corrected with local anesthesia.
Scars: The quality of the scars varies between patients.
Gum size: Although unusual, this can lead to delayed wound healing and worse scar quality.
Bleeding: A blood clot can collect under the skin, resulting in immediate return to surgery to remove it. This can be done within the first 24 hours after surgery in about 1% of patients.
Infection: Quite unusual, but if it happens you will need antibiotics.
Nerve Injury: Injury to the facial nerve is very uncommon but can lead to paralysis of the facial muscles. The most common areas affected are the eyebrow and the corner of the mouth. If this happens, it will correct itself for the vast majority of patients within 2-3 months.
General complications: chest infections, blood clots in the lower extremities or lungs (Venous thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism). Although rare, it is important to avoid smoking cessation, weight reduction and immediate mobilization as soon as possible after surgery.
If you experience side effects that concern you please do not hesitate to contact us.
