CosBeauty Magazine #81

Enhancement
to determine which procedure
and techniques are best suited to
you. 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 your 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,
as well as delayed healing.
Along with the physical aspect
of preparing for surgery, it’s
also important you are mentally
prepared for the change that will
take place in your appearance. 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 you return to normal, everyday
life more readily.
4.know 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.
These are more good reasons
to only 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.
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. These
develop 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.
5.Take time out
Immediately after surgery, you
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 reduce swelling by preventing
fluid build-up, as well as providing
comfort and support. Although
loose bandages may be removed
in a few days, compression
garments are often worn for
several weeks.
Post-surgery, you 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.
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.
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