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Five Tips for a Quick Recovery Following a Facelift

Dr. Philip Miller

May 21, 2018

stock image of a model for a blog about facelift recovery tips in NYC Facelift Recovery Tips

Following a facelift in New York City, the last thing you want is to deal with complications. By following a few simple tips, you can prepare your body to heal as quickly as possible and help avoid issues that can lead to infection.

Don’t Smoke

Smoking shrinks blood vessels and reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches your tissue. This impacts blood clotting properties and makes it harder for your body to close wounds. An open wound is at risk of developing an infection. You must stop smoking at least two weeks prior to your surgery and ignore cravings for at least two weeks following your surgery.

Be Careful About Using Over-the-Counter Medications

Medications or supplements containing aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E thin the blood or increase bleeding. These situations slow the healing process. Avoid these compounds for at least two weeks before your surgery and for a few days after your surgery. If you have questions or are uncertain, always ask your plastic surgeon before taking a medication. Consult your doctor about safe options for pain relief following your facelift.

Build Up a Stock of Frozen Peas

Following your surgery, you want to keep swelling down. Stock up on packs of frozen peas before your surgery. You can also reduce swelling by keeping your head elevated when you’re resting in bed.

Resist the Urge to Peek

Do not remove your bandages, even if you’re itchy and can’t stand not knowing how you look. Wait for the doctor to do this. If you remove them too early, you risk infection. When the doctor does remove your bandages, don’t be alarmed by bruising and swelling. This is normal. Swelling generally subsides after a few days and bruising usually lasts a week or two.

Stay Out of the Sun

Avoid the sun and sunlamps for six weeks following a facelift. The heat from the sun’s rays or the heat lamp can lead to swelling.

Dr. Philip Miller, a renowned facial plastic surgeon in NYC, offers consultations to anyone considering a facelift. Contact us to schedule an appointment by calling our plastic surgery clinic at (646) 791-3025.

Dr. Philip Miller

Focusing exclusively on the face for more than two decades, double-board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Philip Miller blends art and science with innovation and skill to provide thousands of patients with impeccable results. He is known for pioneering the NatraLook methodology for rhinoplasty, facelifts, neck lifts, and other cosmetic procedures for the face.

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Facial Plastic Surgery

Dr. Philip Miller and his team of New York's top rated facial plastic surgery experts provide custom cosmetic treatment plans that include a combination of minimally-invasive techniques and advanced procedures, to help each patient achieve the Aesthetic Confidence® they desire. Our unique NatraFace™ approach to facial rejuvenation includes the following effective procedures:

Eyelid Plastic Surgery

Dr. Miller provides patients with Manhattan's #1 customized care and treatment for smooth, supple skin that brightens the eyes and revitalizes the face. With our NatraFace™ approach, we utilize a combination of effective aesthetic techniques tailored to suit each patient’s needs. We offer:

Rhinoplasty (Nose Jobs)

Dr. Miller and his staff of NYC's best aesthetic specialists offer the NatraNose® process, which is a comprehensive range of minimally-invasive and advanced techniques to achieve natural-looking rhinoplasty results, improve nasal function, and meet the patient’s aesthetic goals. Dr. Miller specializes in nose jobs, nose reductions, non-surgical nose jobs, and more: Adjust the links in these sections as follows:

Skin Care Treatments

Widely acclaimed for our broad range of flawless skincare solutions, Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS and his team of aesthetic specialists offer customized skincare treatment plans to achieve healthy, natural-looking results. As part of our NatraLook™ process, the following procedures may be performed individually or in combination with more advanced surgical treatments for optimal rejuvenation.

Male Plastic Surgery

Philip J. Miller, MD, FACS, is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience working with male and female patients. He specializes in facial plastic surgery and is recognized as an expert in facial rejuvenation procedures. Utilizing the most advanced surgical techniques, Dr. Miller can maintain or enhance masculine features while producing the most natural-looking results.

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The Plastic Surgery Podcast with Dr. Philip Miller

Tune into The Plastic Surgery Podcast, hosted by facial plastic surgeon Dr. Philip Miller. Dr. Miller is here to answer your questions, de-mystify plastic surgery, and help you feel more knowledgeable and empowered about any procedure performed at our center.

  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 44: My First Time

    8 min
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    Episode 43: Top 10 Reasons Not To Get A Rhinoplasty ( Plastic Surgery)

    20 min
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    Episode 42 : Osteomas & Lipomas

    11 min
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    Episode 41: All Ears Considered!

    8 min
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    Episode 40: Infrared Light Therapy

    6 min
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    Episode 39: Beauty, the Plateau

    6 min
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    Episode 38: Botox and Dermal Fillers

    3 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 37: Cost of Rhinoplasty

    1 min
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    Episode 36: Different Types of Nasal Surgeries

    3 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 35: Do You Have to Break the Nose for Rhinoplasty?

    2 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 34: Do You Have to Stay Overnight After Having a Rhinoplasty?

    2 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 33: Don't Have a Rhinoplasty!

    2 min
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    Episode 32: Endonasal or External

    1 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 31: Are You a Candidate?

    2 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 30: In The Office

    17 min
  • Apple Podcast Icon Podcast Icon

    Episode 29: Can My Nose be Made Smaller?

    4 min
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    Episode 28: Can't Breath Through Nose

    3 min
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    Episode 27: Chin Implants - Mentoplasty

    2 min
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    Episode 26: Columellar Struts

    23 sec
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    Episode 25: Common Terms

    5 min
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    Episode 24: Connection Between Facial Resurfacing and Tattooing

    5 min
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    Episode 23: The Sooner, The Better?

    4 min
View all Episodes

Plastic Surgery w/ Dr. Miller

If you’re thinking about getting a lift, nip, or tuck, this app is for you. It’s the most comprehensive pocket encyclopedia of plastic surgery terms, before and after photos, and visualization tools to help you really know what to expect from a procedure, including seeing potential results on your own photo. This app is only available on the App Store for iOS devices.

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