MIDFACELIFT - FAQs
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1) What is a midfacelift?
Midfacelifts are performed to elevate sagging cheeks. The tissue
underneath the cheek pad is elevated and positioned in a more youthful
position. Dr. Lopez will often combine a midfacelift with a
browlift to rejuvenate and restore facial harmony.
Midfacelifts are state of the art technology that not all plastic
surgeons are skilled in performing. Therefore, it is vital that your
screening process includes a review of Before and After Photographs of
the doctor's midfacelift results.
2) Am I a candidate for a midfacelift?
Best candidates for a midfacelift are people with hollowed out eyes,
sagging cheeks, deep smile lines and a fallen brow. Typically the
midface (cheek area) starts to drop in the mid thirties and becomes more
apparent in our 40's and 50's. A midfacelift helps Dr. Lopez address the
lower eyelid better by padding the bony rim. He removes less fat and is
able to remove more skin without eyelid changes.
3) How do I know if I need a midfacelift or a
facelift?
Many factors including age, genetics, previous sun exposure, tobacco
abuse, skin type and skin elasticity all play a role in assessing if a
midfacelift would be the right way to go. The only way to know for sure
is a consultation with Dr. Lopez.
4) Where are the incisions for a midfacelift?
Since midfacelifts can be performed endoscopically, incisions measure
generally about one half to one inch. These smaller incisions are placed
behind the hairline so they are well camouflaged. If Dr. Lopez
feels that a pretrichial browlift is indicated, then the midface lift
can be done through the same incision.
5) When can I return to work?
Patients typically return to work and activities anywhere
from seven to ten days although restrictions limiting heavy lifting,
bending and straining along with aerobic activity remain for two weeks
following the procedure.
6) What is an endotyne?
Dr. Lopez uses a state of the art device called a midface endotyne to
elevate your cheeks (midfacelift). The endotyne is made of a resorbable
material that goes away 6-9 month after placement.
MIDFACELIFT PREOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
7) Should I do anything before to prepare for
surgery?
You will have a preoperative appointment with Dr. Lopez and his staff to
go over the preoperative instructions.
8) Why do I need a preoperative appointment?
This is an essential appointment to prepare you for your upcoming
surgery. Dr. Lopez will take preoperative photographs at the visit
as well as go over the procedure again to ensure that everyone is on the
same page. All questions that you have will be answered on that
visit as well. You will often times be given your prescriptions on
the preoperative visit day.
9) What else can I do to do to prepare for
surgery?
Dr. Lopez likes to have patients that have well controlled blood sugar
to drink three eight ounce glasses of pineapple juice for at least one
week before surgery. Pineapple juice can help minimize the postoperative
swelling. Patients that use tobacco will be asked to stop for six weeks
before and six weeks following surgery. Tobacco has properties that
impede wounds from healing. Dr. Lopez will encourage tobacco users to
not resume smoking at all after surgery; in fact many of his patients
have used the surgery as their impetus to quit smoking.
10) What about my daily medications before
surgery?
In general you will be allowed to take most of your daily medications.
Medications that thin the blood such as ibuprofen, vitamin E, and herbal
supplements need to be stopped two weeks before surgery. You can
continue to take a multivitamin. Aspirin needs to be stopped three
weeks before surgery. Dr. Lopez will provide a "Medication List"
that reviews all medications and supplements to avoid prior to surgery.
11) Do I need any special prescriptions before
surgery?
Dr. Lopez will generally give you a prescription for an antibiotic, a
pain medicine, antibiotic ointment, as well as an anti-swelling
medication. He also asks you to start taking Vitamin C 1 gram per day
for 1 week before surgery to continue for 2 weeks after surgery.
MIDFACELIFT POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
12) What does it feel like when I wake up from
surgery?
Most patients report only mild to moderate discomfort associated with
some tightness or pulling. This pulling sensation, most noticeable under
the chin, subsides after about three weeks. We will make sure you are
not nauseated or queasy. Our nurses will be right there with you as you
wake up from surgery to give you special attention.
13) What do I look like when I wake up from
surgery?
Following the procedure, you will have a soft head wrap around your head
and under your chin. This helps minimize swelling. The head wrap will be
removed in the office the following day. A second dressing
will be gently applied for 48 hours to minimize swelling. You may have
some bruising, however, this typically is more pronounced 24-48 hours
after the procedure.
14) Can I do anything to prevent bruising?
Most patents will have a little bruising. We can try to minimize
bruising by using Arnica before and after the procedure. Arnica is a
natural "herb" that helps prevent bruising.
15) How do I care for the incisions?
The sutures/staples will require some simple care. We will ask you to
use a Q-tip to cleanse them with peroxide once a day and apply an
antibiotic ointment three times a day to keep the sutures soft. In six
to eight days, when the time arrives for suture/staple removal, sutures
that have been lubricated glide out easily.
16) When can I shower?
You can shower once the second dressing is removed. Make sure that
you pat dry the incisions well after the shower and apply the antibiotic
ointment.
17) What medications do I take following
surgery?
Dr. Lopez will ask you to take the following medications starting the
day of surgery:
1 - An antibiotic- generally Keflex for one week
2 - Pain medicine- Vicodin or Percocet to take as needed
3 - Antibiotic ointment- to place on the incision sites at least
three times a day
4 - Anti-swelling medication- for patients that are not diabetic
a Medrol dosepak will be given
5 - Vitamin C 1 gram for 1 week before and two weeks following
surgery to promote healing.
6 - Arnica- place under the tongue three tabs three times a day
before meals for two weeks.
18) When do I start taking these prescriptions?
Patients take their pain medication as needed. Begin taking vitamin C 1
week before surgery. You can begin taking Arnica the day before
surgery. The antibiotic and swelling medications begin when you
arrive home following surgery. Unless you are notified otherwise, resume
all daily medications when you arrive home from surgery.
19) Are there any foods to avoid following
surgery?
No. Dr. Lopez encourages you to eat a well-balanced diet. You may
notice that saltier foods can cause you to swell for a longer period of
time.
20) When is my first postoperative appointment?
You will be asked to see Dr. Lopez on the first day following
midfacelift for removal of head wrap dressing. You will need someone to
drive you to this appointment.
21) Are there any instructions about regular
daily activities?
Sleep with head of the bed elevated or use two to three pillows for one
week. Absolutely no bending, lifting or straining. If you have little
children, bend at the knees or sit on the floor and let them climb on to
your lap.
22) How can I minimize the swelling and
bruising?
Most of Dr. Lopez’s patients will have a little bruising. He minimizes
bruising by having patients stop all blood thinners well ahead of
surgery as well as using Arnica before and after the procedure. The cold
packs around the eyes should be used every 20 minutes while awake after
surgery to help prevent swelling and bruising. The cold packs
should be used for the first 72 hours. You do not need to wake up
to use the cold packs. A good night’s sleep is vital to healthy
healing. Patients are also asked to sleep with their head at least
at 45 degrees to minimize the swelling.
23) When will I look normal?
You will be presentable at two to three weeks. You will look great at
six weeks and even better at six months as things settle and expressions
become more natural. At three weeks you know you are well on the way to
recovery and most patients resume routine activities around two to three
weeks following surgery. Final results are evaluated at one year.
24) How often do I need to return for
postoperative visits?
Dr. Lopez likes to see his patients 3, 6, and 12 months after the
procedure to ensure that the healing is going as expected.
