Pre-Op Facelift Checklist

Pre-op preparation sets the tone for a smooth facelift experience and optimal results. Many people underestimate how a structured checklist can ease worry, clarify steps, and build confidence ahead of surgery.

At Dr. Mark Plastic Surgery, our team guides you through every aspect, from medical readiness to recovery planning. We know each step matters, and we tailor your pre-op journey to your needs.

Let’s explore what to expect and how to prepare for a facelift at our Scottsdale practice, so you step into surgery feeling fully prepared.

The Importance of Pre-Op Planning

Preparing for a facelift involves much more than marking a date on your calendar. Patients achieve better results when they enter surgery feeling calm, organized, and aware of all expectations.

Why Pre-op Planning Matters

A thorough checklist helps you avoid common pitfalls. At our Scottsdale office, we’ve seen how following a pre-op plan:

• Reduces last-minute stress
• Enhances safety on surgery day
• Supports the fastest, smoothest healing process

When you know what to expect and how to prepare, you build a foundation for safe anesthesia, surgical precision, and lower complication rates.

The Role of Your Surgical Team

Our doctor customizes your checklist to match your health background, goals, and timeline. The process always includes medical review, risk assessment, and specific instructions for before and after surgery.

Your relationship with our surgical team does not stop at the operating room. We answer questions, coordinate details, and remain accessible from your first visit through your final follow-up.

Health Evaluation and Medical Readiness

This phase ensures we can safely move forward with your facelift and offers an opportunity to address any personalized concerns you have.

Comprehensive Health Review

Our surgeon conducts a full medical assessment, beginning with your health history and a review of your current medications or allergies. You may undergo lab work, an EKG, or other pre-op testing based on your age and health status.

We also assess factors that impact healing, such as smoking, diabetes, or autoimmune conditions. These details allow us to personalize precautions, optimize your surgical plan, and identify modifications to reduce risk.

Disclosure of Medications and Supplements

Patients often take a wide range of vitamins, herbal supplements, or prescription drugs. Some medications, such as blood thinners or anti-inflammatories, can impact bleeding and healing during facelift surgery.

Always provide a complete list of everything you take, even over-the-counter medications. Our surgical team will guide you in making safe adjustments and advise you exactly when to pause or resume meds.

Candidacy Confirmation

Some health concerns may delay or contraindicate elective facial surgery. If your evaluation reveals an elevated risk for complications, our doctor will address this compassionately and transparently.

We always prioritize your safety and discuss suitable timing or alternative approaches if major health issues exist.

Essential Pre-Op Instructions

In the weeks leading up to surgery, our team will give you detailed steps to follow at home. Compliance with these instructions promotes smooth anesthesia, easy wound healing, and beautiful results.

Lifestyle Modifications to Promote Healing

• Tobacco: Quit all tobacco, including e-cigarettes, for several weeks before and after your procedure. Nicotine restricts blood flow, creating serious risks for poor healing and tissue loss.
• Alcohol: Avoid wine, beer, and spirits for at least one week prior. Alcohol can thin your blood, elevate blood pressure, and increase surgical bleeding.
• Healthy Nutrition: Eat a balanced, protein-rich diet, as this supports your immune system and tissue repair.

Medication and Supplement Adjustments

Your medication plan can impact how your body responds to surgery and anesthesia. Our team typically requests that patients:

• Stop blood thinners, aspirin, or NSAIDs under medical supervision.
• Pause non-essential supplements, such as high-dose vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, or fish oil, all of which may increase bruising and bleeding.

We deliver these recommendations in advance, and you will have several opportunities to ask questions or raise concerns.

Skin and Hair Preparation

On the night before surgery, you will be instructed to wash your face and hair thoroughly. Our surgeon may recommend a specific facial cleanser or antiseptic product.

Do not apply makeup, moisturizer, or hair products on the morning of your surgery. Maintaining a clean surgical field helps prevent infection and ensures optimal results.

Preparing Your Home and Support System

A comfortable recovery begins before you even leave for your facelift. Planning your environment and post-op care helps you heal faster and with less stress.

Creating a Recovery-Friendly Space

Dedicate a comfortable, well-lit room where you can rest quietly, close to a bathroom, and away from household activity. Arrange supportive pillows to keep your head elevated, and stock soft, nutritious snacks and hydrating fluids.

Having items like your phone charger, medications, and entertainment within reach limits strain when moving around early in recovery.

Enlisting Help from Family or Friends

You will not be able to drive yourself home after your facelift, so arrange reliable transportation in advance. Having a trusted family member or friend stay with you for 24 to 48 hours helps with basic tasks and provides reassurance.

Recovery support extends beyond driving. Loved ones can assist with meal prep, managing medications, and monitoring for any early warning signs of surgical issues.

Post-Op Supplies Checklist

For those wondering what specific items to gather, our Scottsdale office recommends having the following ready before your facelift:

• Medications: Fill all prescriptions in advance, including pain relief and antibiotics.
• Cold Compresses: Gentle cold packs minimize initial swelling and discomfort after the facelift.
• Wound Care Supplies: Soft gauze, Q-tips, and any recommended ointments.
• Loose Clothing: Button-down shirts make changing easier without disturbing facial dressings.
• Hygiene Essentials: Mild cleanser and alcohol-free mouthwash help you keep clean during immediate recovery.

By organizing these items ahead of time, you avoid unnecessary errands or discomfort once surgery begins.

The Day Before and Morning of Surgery

The final hours before surgery focus on comfort, safety, and minor but important preparations. Below is a list to help ensure nothing gets overlooked during this crucial window.

The checklist combines essential steps that our Scottsdale team covers during every pre-op visit.

• Fasting: Begin fasting at midnight before surgery. Do not drink water, chew gum, or eat after the cutoff to allow your stomach to empty for anesthesia.
• Shower and Hygiene: Take a thorough shower but avoid lotion, deodorant, and makeup. Loose, clean, comfortable clothing is best.
• Remove Jewelry and Contacts: Arrive without jewelry, watches, or piercings. Wear glasses, not contacts, if vision correction is needed.
• Transportation and Arrival: Confirm your ride and arrive at our office early to allow ample time for check-in and relaxation.
• Medication Reminders: Only take pre-approved medications with a sip of water if instructed.

While these steps may feel simple, they help our surgical process run smoothly and protect your safety during anesthesia and the procedure itself.

Consent and Reviewing Surgical Risks

Making informed decisions is a cornerstone at Dr. Mark Plastic Surgery. Our doctor will review your facelift plan, answer all questions, and discuss risks so you know exactly what to expect.

The Consent Process

Before surgery, our team guides you through the official consent process. This paperwork outlines the types of incisions, anesthesia, and the goals you and our surgeon share. Take all the time you need to understand the form, explore how this procedure compares to non-surgical treatments, and clarify any areas of uncertainty.

You will never feel pressured to proceed without full comfort and confidence in your decision.

Risks and Possible Complications

Though facelift surgery is very safe for healthy patients, all procedures involve some risk. Common risks include bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, and temporary bruising or numbness.

Our doctor will also explain rarer concerns, such as nerve injury or unsatisfactory scarring, in clear, empathetic language. Understanding risks helps you weigh benefits and make your decision securely.

Recovery Planning and Post-Op Support

Success does not stop once you leave our surgical suite. We provide a structured post-op plan and support you from your first day home through complete healing.

Setting Up Post-Op Appointments

Our practice schedules your follow-up visits before surgery, so you always know when to return for suture checks and progress visits. These early appointments give you confidence and an open line of communication with your care team.

Medication Management and Pain Control

Clear instructions for medication management are essential for your comfort and safety. Review your dosing schedule, write down your pain control plan, and know when to call for advice or additional support.

Activity and Care Guidelines

We provide a timeline for returning to light activities, resuming normal routines, and watching for signs of infection or complications. This includes how to shower, when to change dressings, and when you can safely return to exercise or work.

Knowing your next steps takes the guesswork out of recovery and removes unnecessary stress from your experience.

Starting Your Facelift Journey Right

Preparing for a facelift involves more than the procedure itself. The steps you take before surgery build the framework for safe, satisfying results and a confident recovery journey.

Our team at Dr. Mark Plastic Surgery works closely with each patient, so your checklist matches your lifestyle, medical history, and personal goals. From initial assessment to home recovery, we believe clear communication and compassionate guidance bring peace of mind.

If you are considering a facelift in Scottsdale and want support every step of the way, reach out to discuss your next steps. Our surgeon looks forward to answering questions and helping you achieve natural, beautiful results. Your new chapter begins with careful planning and a supportive team beside you.