Best Strategies to Reduce Post-facelift Swelling
Your face is the first thing people see when they look at you. Unfortunately, signs of aging can take a toll on your face. Factors such as sun exposure, natural aging, and gravity can alter the youthful appearance of your face. Fortunately, a facelift done by a board-certified plastic surgeon in San Diego can help solve this issue.
Since a facelift is a surgery like any other, swelling is often part of the healing process. However, you can do something about it. Read on to learn the best strategies to reduce post-facelift swelling.
Follow Post-surgery Instructions
During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will assess your health. They will determine whether you are eligible for the surgical procedure. They will also review the surgery basics as a precaution to prevent setbacks or complications after the procedure.
You will receive post-surgical instructions from a member of the staff. The guideline will direct you about what to do as aftercare to prevent side effects and complications after your surgery. The instructions will include:
- Caring for and cleaning your incisions
- Changing bandage
- Taking medication, whether prescribed or over-the-counter
- When to resume your daily activities.
Follow the instructions you get from your plastic surgery team to avoid complications. Keeping your incisions clean and taking the instructed medication can reduce swelling.
Keep Your Head Elevated
You may feel temporary neck and face tightness after your facelift procedure. This may disrupt your sleeping habits due to this feeling. However, you can reduce swelling during your recovery by elevating your head up using pillows as you sleep. You can also achieve this using a recliner seat or a foam wedge.
You can effectively reduce the swelling by keeping your head elevated. Doing so works as the blood actively flows away from the treatment site.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water helps keep you generally healthy. It also helps prevent clots in the body by promoting blood flow. Staying hydrated keeps your skin healthy and young long after you recover from your facelift surgery. Drink six to eight glasses of water every day.
Eat Healthily
Eating a diet rich in nutrients and vitamins can aid in your recovery. Avoid processed foods and stick to eating fresh organic foods. Eating foods with whole grains can reduce your swelling time as you recover from a facelift.
Eating meals with a lot of salt can affect your water retention. Thus, reducing your salt intake will retain your hydration and reduce swelling.
Fight Inflammation Using Cold
Freezing or cold temperatures reduce swelling by constricting blood vessels. Cold can also reduce pain by numbing your nerve endings. You can use cold compresses to fight inflammation. However, avoid keeping it in one place to prevent it from damaging your healing tissue.
Avoid heat as it has the opposite effect of cold. Exposure to heat opens your blood vessels and causes them to swell. Avoid hot temperatures for six weeks after your facelift surgery.
Rest
Set up a space in your home for resting and healing. Ideally, be free of distractions and loud noises. Have access to medications, water, and healthy snacks while you rest. The body reduces swelling after surgery when you get enough rest.
For more tips to reduce post-facelift swelling, call Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa in San Diego at 858-264-3800 to speak with our team or schedule a consultation today!