BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON IN RENO

The RefreshLift is a minimally-invasive procedure that requires attention to detail. Patients are given either general anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation before the doctor begins. The full treatment can take two to three hours depending on the extent of tissue repositioning the doctor does. The patient will also spend some time in the recovery room after their surgery, where they can be monitored until the effects of their anesthesia begin to wear off. Once the patient is more alert and can stand or walk independently, they can be escorted home by a loved one. It is beneficial to have someone remain with the patient for the first 24 to 48 hours after their procedure.

You may feel well enough to return to work a week to ten days after your RefreshLift. However, because bruising and swelling could linger, you may want to arrange a full two weeks out of the office. After that point, side effects should have resolved enough to be hidden well beneath makeup.

While the RefreshLift is associated with a shorter recovery period than a full facelift, there is still a need to take it easy for some time. This may differ for each patient depending on their general health, lifestyle, and the extent of their RefreshLift procedure. After the outpatient surgery, patients are encouraged to start walking as soon as possible. This means walking around the house or taking short excursions outside, not walking several miles a day. Strenuous exercise typically needs to be avoided for at least a week or two. After the post-op visit when stitches are removed, Dr. Dahan can make a more accurate recommendation regarding which activities can resume and when. Patients are usually advised to resume activity slowly and build up repetitions and intensity gradually over several days or weeks.

More involved neck procedures, eyelid and brow procedures may also be combined with Dr. Dahan’s RefreshLift™ in his Reno office.

You most likely can, depending on the extent of your RefreshLift. Botox injections are intended for the correction of dynamic wrinkles. The conditions for which this injectable is ideal include frown lines, descending brows, crow's feet, and horizontal forehead lines. The RefreshLift often focuses only on the lower two-thirds of the face, from the neck and chin to the cheeks. Botox's primary action is to temporarily reduce the contraction strength of a muscle. The treatment does not alter the shape or function of the muscle and no atrophy occurs. Therefore, even patients who are interested in surgical treatment for concerns affecting the eyes, brows, and forehead may have an extended RefreshLift.

Though minimally invasive, the RefreshLift is still surgery. There are risks of infection, bleeding, and poor tissue healing. To reduce these, patients are advised to avoid smoking and stop all use of tobacco and nicotine. These substances are particularly inhibitive of healing. Both have been associated with elevated surgical risks and poor surgical outcomes. One to two weeks before surgery, patients must stop using medications or supplements that thin the blood. Examples include aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E.

After surgery, you will have a snug dressing and you will benefit from sleeping with your head on two pillows. We also recommend ice compresses to minimize bruising and swelling. You will be seen in the office the next day where your dressing will be changed and instructed to continue the compressive dressing as much as possible for another week. You may shower and wash your hair two days after the RefreshLift™. Sutures are removed about a week to ten days after surgery.

Our patients benefit from shorter incisions, less bruising, swelling and anesthesia, as well as fewer medications, and a more rapid recovery compared to other facelift techniques. They also experience much less discomfort and nausea than patients undergoing a conventional facelift.

Looking for an in-office facelift? You may be a candidate for Dr. Dahan’s MiniLift. Women and men with early signs of facial and neck aging may be candidates for Dr. Dahan’s MiniLift. This in-office facelift procedure is performed with local anesthesia and takes about 45 minutes. It is essentially a modified version of the RefreshLift™ which lifts and tightens the deep tissues of the face as well as the skin, but requires shorter incisions and less dissection.*

Our patients experience significantly less bruising, swelling or discomfort, and use fewer medications than other techniques.* It is ideal for patients who desire a more subtle refreshed appearance at a more affordable price. Most patients undergoing Dr. Dahan’s MiniLift will be able to drive themselves home after surgery and return to work in one to three days.