Getting Ready for Your Facelift Procedure
Surgery for a facelift normally lasts from two to four hours. Dr. Edward Kole completes the entire facelift as well as other complimentary procedures (neck lift, eyelid surgery) in one setting. As a patient, you will need to be prepared and take care of certain responsibilities before the day of your facelift. Following a patient protocol will help ensure your surgery will be as successful and carefree as possible.
Preliminary Private Complimentary Consultation
While at your appointment prior to a facelift procedure, you need to share thoughts, ideas and questions with Dr. Edward Kole. Discussions about the areas you hope to improve, change, enhance or minimize. Becoming knowledgeable about a variety of approaches and procedures will help you to decide what will be best for your specific facial areas and what you will potentially look like if you have additional work performed with your facelift. It is extremely important that you have an understanding that is realistic about the outcomes a facelift can and can’t provide for you. Dr. Kole is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and that is extremely important. In your consultation, you should feel comfortable asking about his educational background, years of experience and examining his before and after pictures.
Who is or isn’t a Good Candidate for a Facelift
Upon the completion of your consultation with Dr. Kole you will know if you are a good candidate. Sometimes, if a person isn’t a good candidate for a facelift surgery, Dr. Kole will discuss if there are any possible procedures that would be a better match for you and still provide similar results. Optimal patients for a facelift include but are not limited to the following:
- A person with prominent structure of facial bones found beneath lax skin and muscles
- A person who is in good health and not taking certain medications (blood thinners that can’t be stopped)
- A person who does not have specific medical conditions like uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Non smokers
- A person with realistic expectations
Two Weeks Prior to Surgery
- Stop taking Aspirin
- Stop taking Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen and all NSAID pain relievers
- Stop taking Vitamin E
- Stop taking all herbal remedies
- Do take any and all medications prescribed
- Do follow all directions expected of you
Today is the Day of Your Facelift Surgery
Each patient has a customized surgical plan. General anesthesia is used and dosed through an IV by the anesthesia doctor. When surgery is complete you will be in the recovery room and monitored by your private nurse and not be released until you have recovered completely. You will be given specific instructions and any prescriptions for pain and antibiotics to be taken during your recovery period. It is extremely important to follow all instructions for a successful recovery.
A Driver Will Be Needed
Someone will need to drive you home and help to get you settled after surgery. There will be some pain and swelling. Medication should be used and your head should be elevated on at least two pillows. Your schedule should be cleared for the next week and you will be on your way to watching your face aesthetically transform into the natural looking younger you. Dr. Kole is always available to answer any questions in your post-operative recovery period and will be in contact with you several times over the first several days.
Please contact The Kole Plastic Surgery Center Center at (215) 354-1010 to schedule a complimentary private c0onsultation with Kole Plastic Surgery. Our office and Licensed Ambulatory Surgical Center is conveniently located at: 1122 Street Rd STE 100, Southampton, PA 18966.
