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How Is a Facelift Performed?

Once you and your surgeon have determined that you are a candidate for a facelift it is helpful to have a general understanding of how it is performed. Below, we’ve outlined a summary of what to expect on the day of your procedure.

Food and Drink:

You will most likely be told to refrain from eating and drinking the evening before your surgery.

Dress:

Wear loose, comfortable clothing that does not require you to raise your arms above your head. After you arrive at the clinic you will change into a surgical gown. Your belongings will be stored by the clinic staff until you are discharged.

Markings:

Prior to your surgery Dr. Pugash will use a surgical marker on your skin to plan the incisions as well as other elements of the procedure.

Anesthetic:

You will be brought into the operating room and placed on a comfortable OR table. The anesthesiologist will ensure you are safe and comfortable throughout your procedure. He or she will monitor all your vital functions, and give you plenty of sedation so you doze through the surgery. Dr. Pugash will freeze each facial area so you feel nothing. You will be very comfortable, and remember little or nothing about your time in the OR.

Following facelift surgery:

You will awaken with a bulky dressing over your cheeks and neck. A small drainage tube is present behind each ear. The dressing and drains are removed the day after surgery, and you will be fitted with a facial shaping garment that is worn for 3 days or so.

Discomfort from the facelift is managed with medication that Dr. Pugash will prescribe. You will be up and walking almost immediately.  It is helpful to apply ice packs for the first few days to control swelling and bruising. You may be asked to avoid showering and getting your hair wet for some time. You will be given an appointment to follow up in Dr. Pugash’s office.

Most patients can make themselves presentable by three weeks after surgery. By that time the swelling and bruising have largely subsided, and a bit of makeup is usually enough to hide any remaining evidence.

A facelift can deliver long lasting, impressive results. However, it is a delicate operation that should only be performed by a board certified plastic surgeon who has an in-depth understanding of the anatomy and nerve network of the face. Dr Pugash has years of expertise in performing facelifts.  He is a member of the Canadian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.