Face Lift Recovery

Face Lift recovery should be straight forward if you follow your face lift surgeon's instructions.

After having the face lift procedure the patient will have the head and face bandaged, which will help the swelling and bruising of the face stay down. The patient may even have a draining tube that the doctor may put behind their ear to help prevent the blood and fluid buildup under the skin which will help reduce the amount of bruising. Immediately after the face lift procedure the patient`s skin may feel numb, this feeling does go away within a week.

Face Lift Recovery Timeline

Your doctor will want to check your face lift's progress regularly after surgery. You will meet with him or her several times over the course of  your face lift recovery. Your face lift surgeon will offer face lift recovery expectations during your consultation, but face lift recovery follows this general timeline:

• Days 1-3 - Dressing will be applied after your face lift and you will be sent home. During these first few days, you will be bruised, swollen and tired. Activity around the house is fine, but you may tire easily. You will meet with your face lift surgeon during these first few days to check progress and remove any tiny tubes used for fluid drainage after face lift surgery. Your doctor will change your dressing and provide you with over-the-counter type dressing for continued application to your face lift.
• Weeks 1-2 - The bruising and swelling from your face lift will recede during this time. You must still abstain from strenuous activities and sleep with your head elevated. Your energy will improve greatly and any pain or discomfort will subside. There may be a "tight" feeling while talking or eating following your face lift, which is normal.
• Weeks 3-4 - Your face lift results will begin to show and you will be allowed to return to some exercise, though extremely strenuous activity should wait until week six. Your incision scars will also become less visible during this time. The skin should be protected with sunscreen while going out and artificial tanning can still harm the effects of your face lift surgery.
• Month 6 - Year 1 - Six weeks after your face lift, you will be able to fully return to more strenuous physical activity and exercise. Your face lift results will fully set over the course of the first year and this varies by patient. Not smoking will greatly improve the healing process, reduce the face lift recovery time and the results of your surgery.

What to Feel During a Face Lift Recovery

There may be a little bit of discomfort after having the face lift procedure the patient’s doctor will prescribe mild pain medication. The doctor will also advise the patient to keep their head elevated for the first few days after the face lift surgery to keep the swelling down and the less the patient moves the better the results will be.

After the first 48 hours of having a face lift the patient will return to their doctor and get their bandages removed. By this time the draining tube will have been out for a day. The stitches from the face lift will be removed within 5 days after the procedure. However, the stitches or metal caps at the scalp will stay in for several days longer due to the scalp may take a little longer to heal.

Will I See Results During My Face Lift Recovery?

The patient should remember after having face lift surgery that the results are not noticeable until after the bruising and swelling goes down. Many patients are happy with the results of their face lift. In very few cases a face lift revision is necessary.

Face Lift Recovery Process

The recovering process of the face lift can take anywhere between 7 to 10 days, and even up to two weeks. Within that time there will be bruising and swelling. The swelling will go down within the 7 to 10 days after the face lift procedure. However, the bruising can last up to a month post face lift surgery. Patients are encouraged to remember that every person heals in a different way and that this is just what may occur after a face lift or any other cosmetic procedure.

After recovering from the face lift procedure patients can get back to their daily lives, but are encouraged to take it slow so that the patient can receive the best result. Please limit yourself to strenuous exercise, any heavy lifting or housework. Patients should have no alcohol for a few weeks after face lift surgery, and should stay clear of steam baths and saunas for the first two months after the procedure.

The hair around the incisions from the face lift maybe thinner and dry after surgery, but that will go away a month after the procedure. Because the scars are hidden by the hair or the natural lines of the face and ears the scars are left unnoticeable. Because the face lift procedure is lifting up the skin from the neck and behind the ears men may have to shave behind their ears and shave their necks.

Results After A Face Lift Recovery

The face lift procedure is to be long lasting and to make you look 10 years younger, however to achieve that every patient should take care of their skin. Patients should keep a good skin-care regimen and protect your skin from the sun so they can get the best results from their face lift surgery.