Facelift in Atlanta

Artisan Plastic Surgery will perform your facelift while you are under general anesthesia, ensuring you feel no pain during the surgery.

Once anesthesia wears off, it’s normal to experience some discomfort. We’ve developed an effective pain management protocol to help you recover as safely and comfortably as possible. We also provide you with prescribed pain relievers to manage any discomfort you might experience once you are home.

At Artisan Plastic Surgery, a facelift takes around 3.5 to 4.5 hours to complete, during which time the patient will be under general anesthesia and closely monitored to ensure the absolute safest possible procedure.

Yes; following a facelift, we admit patients for a 23-hour observation. During this time, you will receive superb care and attention from the nurses at Northside Hospital. We have carefully designed a detailed post-operative protocol to ensure you experience minimal discomfort, no nausea, and adequate time to rest. Additionally, the nurses will provide ice packs to minimize bruising and inflammation.

There are a few things you can do to prepare for your facelift at Artisan Plastic Surgery.

• Because you will be under general anesthesia for your facelift, we require you refrain from eating anything after midnight the night before.
• You must abstain from using blood-thinning drugs or supplements for at least two weeks prior to the surgery.
• Arrange for someone to drive you to and from your outpatient surgery to ensure a safe trip. Make sure you have someone with you on the first night after coming home from surgery.
• Stop the use of any weight loss drugs 1 to 2 weeks prior to surgery.

Before the day of your facelift, we will walk you through our highly detailed protocol for post-operative care so you understand exactly what a healthy recovery will look like.

We will see you every few days to answer any questions, assess your progress, and administer red light therapy and lymphatic massages to assist with swelling. We also provide a vitamin program, recommended skincare routine, bruise cream, arnica, and bromelin.

Below are additional instructions we ask facelift patients to follow during their recovery process:

• You may return to non-strenuous work 1 to 2 weeks after surgery.
• You can resume strenuous activities 6 weeks after surgery.
• Limit lifting, pulling, pushing, and straining for 2 weeks post-op.
• Avoid bending over to pick things up from the floor for 1 week.
• Use caution when eating for approximately 3 to 5 days. Have foods on hand that are liquid and/or require minimal chewing.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sun and heat for 1 month to avoid further swelling.
• Please take necessary precautions such as wearing a wide-brimmed hat when in the sun.
• Positioning: When lying down, position yourself on your back, elevated with your head above your heart for 1 week. This helps with swelling.
• No hot compresses to the face. Icing is important to reduce swelling in the first 3 to 4 days post-op. Apply ice for up to 20 minutes every hour while you’re awake. Be sure there is a barrier between your skin and the ice.
• You may wash your face with a gentle cleanser by using your fingertips only; do not scrub or use a washcloth.
• Showering: After 24 hours, you may take your first shower, including shampooing your hair.
• After 24 hours, you may shampoo your hair daily. This helps keep the surgical incisions clean and free of bacteria.
• You should not use a hair dryer on a hot setting for approximately 3 weeks after surgery. If you must use a hair dryer, use a cool setting.
• Avoid chemical hair processes for 3 weeks post-op.
• Wear your facial compression garment as much as possible for the first 2 weeks to reduce swelling. The seams on the garment go on the outside.
• Swelling and bruising lasts, on average, 2 to 3 weeks.
• Expect possible bloodshot eyes.
• You can relieve any moderate discomfort and tightness with medications.

After a facelift in Atlanta from Artisan Plastic Surgery, you can expect the following post-operative appointments:

• Approximately 3 days post-op with medical staff or doctor: Lymphatic massage with one of our aestheticians.
• 7 days post-op with medical staff to remove sutures; lymphatic massage.
• 10 to 14 days post-op with medical staff to remove staples. Lymphatic massage.
• 4 weeks post-op with medical staff to check progress.
• 6 weeks post-op with the doctor.

We advise all patients to call the office (404-851-1998) if they experience:

• Severe pain not responding to pain medication.
• Sudden, significant swelling, or discoloration to one or both sides of the face.
• Fever or chills.

When you trust Artisan Plastic Surgery for a facelift in Atlanta, you should be able to see the initial results immediately, but you should expect to have swelling and bruising for about 3 to 4 weeks afterwards. Most of our patients feel comfortable being in public 2 weeks following their procedure.