What Does a Facelift Treatment Involve? San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon Explains

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - Feb 4, 2014) - Dr. John M. Hilinski, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in San Diego, begins each facelift procedure long before the day of surgery, using the initial consultation as a time to focus on the unique goals each individual patient is trying to achieve. This first conversation about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of facelift surgery allows Dr. Hilinski to ensure that his patients have realistic expectations in regard to their results.

Dr. Hilinski then gives each patient time to assimilate all of the information discussed during the initial consultation. As Dr. Hilinski says in a blog post titled "Considering A Facelift: What Should I Expect?," he utilizes a second follow-up consultation "to give patients some time to consider our initial conversation, discuss any questions or concerns that may have arisen during the meantime, and have an opportunity to go into more detail regarding the necessary preparations leading up to surgery." These preparations include refraining from using any blood thinners 2-3 weeks before surgery and avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke for several weeks because nicotine can drastically impact the healing process.

On the day of surgery, Dr. Hilinski's San Diego plastic surgery patients check in to the practice's private, accredited ambulatory surgery center and are interviewed by a registered nurse to ensure the patient's general health is stable. The anesthesiologist then speaks with the patient to determine if IV sedation or a general anesthetic will be used during the procedure. Then, Dr. Hilinski draws pre-operative markings on the patient's face and neck "just like you would see on television," which will outline the planned incision lines. Dr. Hilinski says the procedure usually lasts about three to four hours.

After surgery, Dr. Hilinski recommends that his patients keep their head elevated above their heart for the first few days. "I usually see patients within 24-48 hours of their surgery to ensure that they are healing well," says Dr. Hilinski. He also notes that many facelift patients will feel a tightness after surgery, which is to be expected. This feeling typically dissipates within 7-10 days and many patients return to work in 10-14 days. "Although it can take several more weeks for patients to feel 'like themselves' again," says Dr. Hilinski, "the majority of my patients feel well enough to be in public after 2 weeks."

About John M. Hilinski, MD
Double-board certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. John Hilinski earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Hilinski served as a Clinical Instructor in surgery at the UCSD School of Medicine. He is a member of many respected medical organizations, including the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Hilinski is available for interview upon request.

For more information about Dr. John Hilinski Facial Plastic Surgery, visit drhilinski.com or facebook.com/drhilinski.

To view the original source of the press release, click here: http://www.drhilinski.com/news-room/what-does-a-facelift-treatment-involve-san-diego-facial-plastic-surgeon-explains/