If you were a Brownie or Girl Guide in your younger days, you’ll remember the mantra ‘be prepared’. This is good advice when it comes to planning a speedy recovery from face lift surgery. The more you can do in advance to ensure you can look after yourself properly in the days and weeks after surgery, the faster and easier your recovery will be.
Enlist support:
Perhaps the most important thing you can do is enlist the support of your family and friends. All too often we’re afraid to ask for help, feeling bad about putting others out of their way. If this is how you feel then we would encourage you to take stock and deal with the discomfort of asking for help! It sounds harsh, but this is a time when friends and family can make all the difference to your well-being.
Simple things like preparing your meals, cleaning and tidying your house, and doing your washing – this can all make a big difference. If they’re done for you, at least for a short period, you can sit back and relax, giving your body a chance to focus on healing. And don’t feel bad about the ‘sit back and relax’ part! Remember, you’d be happy to help your friend or relative if they were in your position.
Get help with childcare:
We know that taking a proper rest can be particularly difficult for parents who are used to putting others first. Of course, the right approach will depend on the age of your children. If yours are of school age, it can be helpful to arrange your surgery so that it doesn’t coincide with the school holidays. That way, they’re occupied with school during the day, so you don’t need to worry about them. Ask friends to take them to school and pick them up again, and arrange a couple of play dates (not at your house!) so that you know they’re having fun without you having to get too involved.
Another thing you can do in advance is stock your cupboards with food and household supplies. Make sure you’ve got everything you need so you don’t have to keep popping to the shops.
Enjoy your time:
By thinking ahead and preparing to enjoy life in the slow lane for a couple of weeks after surgery, you can make the most of your time. Take the chance to buy the book you’ve always planned to read but never had time, or watch films, do puzzles, or crotchet…whatever you like to do, now’s your chance. Arrange to have friends over (to make their own brew!) or spend time catching up over FaceTime or Zoom, planning a holiday or arranging something special for an upcoming birthday – all the ‘sitting down’ jobs you probably don’t make enough time for in normal daily life. Now is your perfect opportunity!
Getting ready for face lift surgery
Of course, we’ll give you all the information and advice you need for a fast and straightforward recovery. If you’d like to explore whether face lift surgery is right for you, the first step is an initial consultation with our experienced plastic surgeons.
