What should you not do before a thread lift?

A thread lift, also known as a lunchtime lift or feather lift, is a minimally invasive procedure that uses threads or sutures to lift sagging areas of the face. It can help treat signs of aging like skin laxity, jowls, and sagging eyebrows. While a thread lift does not provide the same dramatic effects as a surgical facelift, it does provide subtle improvements with little downtime.

Before getting a thread lift, it is important to avoid certain activities and behaviors that could negatively impact your results. Avoiding these pitfalls will help ensure you heal properly and get the best possible outcome from your thread lift procedure. In this article, we will discuss what you should not do in the weeks and days leading up to your thread lift.

Do Not Smoke

One of the most important things to avoid before a thread lift is smoking. Smoking negatively impacts circulation and can prevent proper healing. Tobacco smoke contains hundreds of toxins that constrict blood vessels, restrict blood flow, and prevent your body from delivering oxygen and nutrients to facial tissues.

Smoking before a thread lift significantly increases the risk of:

– Infection at the suture site
– Death of facial skin (necrosis)
– Poor wound healing
– Increased scarring

Studies show smokers have a higher risk of post-surgical complications. Even second-hand smoke can affect healing.

It is recommended to stop smoking 2-3 weeks before your thread lift and avoid second-hand smoke. Continued smoking right up until your procedure can seriously impact your results.

Do Not Drink Alcohol

Alcohol is another substance you should avoid in the weeks leading up to your thread lift. Like smoking, alcohol can act as a blood thinner, increasing bleeding and bruising. Excessive alcohol consumption before surgery can lead to:

– Increased bleeding during the procedure
– Excessive swelling and bruising
– Poor blood clotting
– Negative interactions with anesthesia or other medications

Some plastic surgeons recommend stopping alcohol intake 1-2 weeks before your thread lift. This allows time for any existing alcohol in your system to be eliminated.

At minimum, avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours (2 days) before your procedure. Consuming alcohol shortly before surgery will increase your risk of bleeding issues.

Do Not Take Certain Medications and Supplements

Some medications and supplements also act as blood thinners, hindering your ability to clot and heal after a thread lift. Medications to avoid before surgery include:

  • Aspirin
  • Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
  • Naproxen (Aleve)
  • Vitamin E
  • Fish oil
  • Certain herbal supplements like ginkgo biloba, ginseng, garlic and others

Discontinue these medications/supplements for 1-2 weeks prior to your thread lift. Be sure to consult your doctor before stopping any prescription medications like blood thinners.

Also avoid herbal teas and supplements that can increase bleeding risk, unless approved by your surgeon.

Do Not Get Other Facial Treatments

It’s best to avoid other facial aesthetic treatments in the weeks before your thread lift. Treatments like filler, botox, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing can make your skin more delicate and prone to damage when inserting threads. Give your skin 2-4 weeks to heal fully from facial procedures before your thread lift.

Getting any major dental work done right before your thread lift is also ill-advised. Dental procedures increase the chance of infection which can spread to the areas treated during a thread lift. Avoid dental work like extractions and implants for 1-2 weeks prior to prevent potential infections.

Do Not Work Out 48 Hours Prior

Certain types of exercise can contribute to bleeding, swelling, and recovery issues after a thread lift. High intensity exercise that significantly elevates your heart rate can make bleeding more likely during and after the procedure.

Here are some types of workouts to avoid:

  • High intensity interval training (HIIT)
  • Heavy weight lifting
  • Running or endurance training
  • Hot yoga or hot pilates
  • Sports like basketball, soccer, tennis

Light exercise like walking is fine in the weeks before your surgery. But avoid strenuous workouts for at least 48 hours prior to prevent bleeding risks. Heavy exercise directly before surgery can increase recovery time.

Do Not Gain or Lose Significant Weight

It’s best not to have any major weight fluctuations in the weeks and months preceding your thread lift procedure. Significant weight changes can impact the outcomes of your thread lift, since your face may change shape depending on weight gain or loss.

Try to maintain a stable weight before surgery so your surgeon can determine the optimal placement and positioning of threads to lift your face. Rapid weight loss before a thread lift can result in loose sagging skin that is harder for threads to correct.

Aim for no more than a 5-10 pound weight change before your procedure for ideal results. And avoid crash or fad diets that can deprive your body of nutrition needed to heal properly.

Do Not Make Major Dietary Changes

In addition to avoiding major weight fluctuations, you’ll also want to steer clear of dramatic dietary shifts in the weeks before surgery. Your body requires proper nutrition both before and after a thread lift for optimal wound healing.

Stick to your normal balanced diet before your procedure. Avoid introducing anything too unfamiliar or making extreme dietary modifications that can impact healing. For example:

  • Don’t attempt a liquid cleanse diet right before surgery.
  • Don’t suddenly eliminate whole food groups like dairy, meat, carbs or fats.
  • Don’t try a highly restrictive calorie diet unless directed by your doctor.

Making big dietary changes can be stressful for your body or potentially deprive it of important nutrients it relies on when healing. Eat a nourishing diet you are accustomed to in the weeks before your thread lift.

Do Not Get a Cold or Virus

Colds, flus, viruses, and other illnesses are never good right before surgery. When you have an illness, your body is already under stress battling the infection and trying to recover.

Undergoing a procedure like a thread lift when you are sick can mean:

  • Worsening of existing illness
  • Decreased immunity to protect from infection
  • Impaired breathing if nose is congested
  • Coughing that stresses surgical areas
  • Prolonged recovery time

It’s ideal to postpone your thread lift if you do become ill shortly before your scheduled date. Allow your body time to fully recover before taxing it further with surgery. Even minor symptoms like an acute cold sore outbreak can mean delaying the procedure.

Do Not Stay Up Late The Night Before

Not getting enough sleep before your thread lift can leave you feeling tired, drained, and stressed on the day of your procedure. Fatigue can impact your body’s ability to heal and cope with surgery.

Try to get 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep the night before your thread lift. go to bed early and avoid alcohol or caffeine, which can disrupt quality sleep. Relaxing, meditating, or gentle stretching before bed can also help you wind down.

Showing up well-rested will give you the energy you need to get through the procedure and your initial recovery. Your body does most of its recovering at night, so adequate sleep is key.

What Not to Do How Long to Avoid Before Surgery
Smoking (includes second-hand smoke) 2-3 weeks
Drinking alcohol 48 hours minimum
Taking blood thinning medications or supplements 1-2 weeks
Getting other facial procedures like botox or filler 2-4 weeks
Intense exercise that elevates heart rate 48 hours
Significant weight gain or loss Aim for weight stability
Major dietary changes Avoid unfamiliar or extreme diets
Getting sick from a cold, flu or virus Postpone procedure until recovered
Staying up late, not getting enough sleep Get 6-8 hours sleep night before

Conclusion

Preparing your body and lifestyle appropriately before a thread lift can help minimize risks and support proper healing. Avoiding smoking, alcohol, blood thinners, illnesses, and extraneous procedures or treatments in the preceding weeks allows your body to be in optimal condition. Maintaining adequate rest, nutrition and hydration are also key.

While a thread lift does not involve the intensity and risks of a surgical facelift, taking some common sense precautions beforehand is still advised. Speak to your doctor in advance about any health conditions or lifestyle factors that may affect your procedure and recovery. Following your surgeon’s pre-operative guidance can help ensure you safely achieve the rejuvenated, youthful results you want from your thread lift.

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