Is it possible to drive myself home after the facelift surgery?

Question: I am 68-years-old and I am seeking a facelift procedure, but I live alone and my family lives at least an hour away from me.  Is it possible to drive myself home after the facelift surgery?

Answer: After surgery, I do not allow my patients to drive themselves home.  I also insist that patients must have someone with them for at least 24 hours after any procedure.  This is to ensure the highest level of safety.  Although anesthetic agents are quickly removed from the body, there may still be some long-lasting effects.  If there were a complication after the surgery, it may not be possible for you to call an ambulance or to obtain help.  Also, by having somebody else there observing who is alert without any anesthetic or narcotic agent, they may be able to spot early problems.  So, for that reason, I do not allow patients to go home alone.  I also do not allow patients even to take public transit home after the procedure unless they are accompanied by someone.  At the end of every surgical procedure, someone must accompany them and stay with them for that day.  This is the best procedure to ensure safety.  It is very important to remember in cosmetic surgery that safety is the primary goal.