How To Best Prepare For Facelift Surgery

Facelift Surgery

Thorough preparation is an important element of facelift plastic surgery. The right amount of preparation will contribute to the end results. During the initial consultation, your surgeon will assess whether you are an appropriate candidate for the facelift procedure or not. Your surgeon will address all those underlying conditions (if any) that pose a possible risk to your safety during or after the procedure.

Patients should be honest and upfront during the pre-operative consultation. They should disclose their history of drinking and smoking to the surgeon as well. The Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery, led by board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton M. Sundin and Dr. Reps B. Sundin, provides facelift surgery to patients in Richmond, Fredericksburg, Northern Virginia, and surrounding locations.

Steps to Take 2 Weeks Prior to the Surgery

Patients that smoke should stop smoking at least 2 weeks before the procedure. Smoking has an adverse impact on blood circulation. It adversely affects the healing process. Your surgeon may also ask you to stop using blood thinning medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E.

In some cases, surgeons may alter the schedule of prescription medications of the patient after discussing it with the general physician. On top of this, patients may be prescribed certain new medications to take before the facelift plastic surgery.

During the initial consultation, patients should openly ask questions and clear all their concerns and doubts. They should proceed with the surgery only when they are satisfied and convinced about the decision.

Steps to Take a Day Prior to the Surgery

You should wash your hair properly a day before the facelift procedure. This will help in minimizing the risk of infection. You should not consume alcohol as well for at least 24 hours before the surgery. Mild anti-anxiety pills may be prescribed to certain patients a night before the surgery to allow them to sleep better. Being fully rested is important for successful results from the surgery.

Steps to Take the Day of the Surgery

Facelift cosmetic surgery procedure is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. In rare cases, your surgeon may recommend overnight stays at the surgical venue. Even if you undergo the procedure as an outpatient, you should understand that the effects of anesthesia may continue to last for a few hours.

This is why you should arrange for someone to drive you back home after your facelift procedure. Your surgeon will provide you with a detailed list of post-operative recovery guidelines before you leave for home. You should follow all guidelines in a diligent manner.

Instructions for Aftercare

If necessary, you may want to arrange for a medical attendant, professional caregiver, or a nurse to take care of you in the initial few days following the surgery. Working professionals would need to apply for at least a week’s leave or more ahead of the procedure.

Patients should focus fully on the surgery and their recovery with meticulous advance preparation. This will help them accomplish optimal results from the facelift procedure. Cosmetic surgeons at VIPS receive patients from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Northern Virginia, and nearby areas for facelift surgery.

Contact Virginia Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sundin Today for a Consultation

For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit

Serving Richmond, Virginia, Fredricksburg, Williamsburg, Charlottesville, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Tidewater, Sullfolk, Virginia Beach, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington and surrounding communities.