You’ve decided to have a facial cosmetic procedure, and want to ensure the best possible outcome. Here are some tips:
1. Choose wisely
Choosing a surgeon is one of – if not ‘the’ – most important decisions when thinking about undergoing any type of cosmetic surgery. The surgeon’s experience, training and judgment will all impact on the physical outcomes of surgery, as will their openness to discuss concerns and question your motivation during the consultation prior to surgery.
When it comes to selecting a doctor for facial surgery, you should ensure your surgeon’s training and certi cation is appropriate to the specific procedure he or she will be performing. Certification from the relevant medical board or body denotes that the doctor has completed additional requirements surrounding continuing education and experience in cosmetic surgery.
Trusted sources of information include the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery (ACCS) and the Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (AAFPS).
2. Keep it real
For the right individual, facial surgery can restore con dence on both the inside and out. It can be a highly successful procedure for people who are both physically healthy and psychologically sound. However, having a clear and realistic understanding of what a procedure can and can’t achieve is important prior to committing to surgery.
Facial skin type and age will both in uence surgical outcomes, and you should discuss your individual expectations and the limitations of surgery with your surgeon. The goal of a facelift and other facial surgery should be to rejuvenate the face and give it a fresher look, not to radically change its appearance. While facial skin is tightened and repositioned to create a more youthful-looking appearance, a facelift will not eliminate all wrinkles or skin imperfections – and nor is it possible to alter the shape of the face.
Similarly, significantly older people with less elastic skin may not obtain the same cosmetic result that can be achieved in those with younger, more supple skin.
If the motivation behind surgery is to achieve a more youthful appearance, it’s important to acknowledge that, although this can be achieved in the short term, the face will continue to age and change over time. A good skincare regime and sun protection are always recommended as long-term combatants to some of the effects of facial ageing, both before and after a procedure.
3. Prepare yourself
When it comes to preparing for surgery, research is a fundamental aspect of patient safety.
The consultation provides the surgeon with the opportunity to discuss the procedure in detail with you. The doctor will discuss the type of anaesthesia to be used, the risks, limitations and costs involved, and will outline the steps to take both leading up to and after surgery. Importantly, the surgeon will also be able to ask you about your expectations, goals and reasons for pursuing surgery.
A full medical history will be taken during the consultation, and the surgeon will evaluate the shape and structure of your facial bones, your skin tone and elasticity, and the extent of facial ageing in order 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 pro le. 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 ow 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. [A]A
