Facelift

What to expect after surgery (Post-Op)

Following a face lift, your doctor may use a thin tube to remove excess liquid around the incision site and to help reduce swelling. These drainage tubes may remain in place for one or more days.

During the first 24 hours following a facelift, patients typically show significant bruising and experience swelling around the eyes and other areas of the face. Make-up cannot be applied to the incision areas, but it can be applied to the face to cover up bruising following a facelift.

Any dressings applied after surgery are normally removed the following day and replaced with an elastic wrap or other dressing. Cold compresses will help keep swelling down and as the face heals, swelling and bruising will subside. Bruising in particular can take weeks to subside following a facelift. During this time, the face may appear asymmetrical or uneven. As swelling goes down, this should improve.

Patients are normally allowed to wash their hair and scalp after two to three days following a facelift. You should elevate the head, and avoid as much activity as possible for the first few days after a facelift or other facial procedure. Your surgeon will most likely prescribe pain medication and antibiotics, but you'll be asked to avoid aspirin and any anti-inflammatory medications until you've recovered from your face lift.

Recovery

Recovery time varies, but facelifts require weeks to recover. You should spend extra time resting following a facelift . You can expect to avoid strenuous activity including vigorous exercise and any actions that cause pressure on the facial area such as bending over for at least four weeks following a facelift. Given the degree of discomfort, swelling and bruising, patients typically avoid social activities beyond family and close friends for the first few weeks following surgery. Patients recovering from facelift surgery typically wait seven to ten weeks before returning to normal social activities, and up to twelve weeks or more for major social events.

You will also need to avoid things that can irritate the facial skin such as hot baths, saunas and steam rooms or alcohol for a period of several months after a facelift. It is important to follow your doctor’s post-op instructions after a facelift. This helps to ensure proper healing, to reduce possibility of infection, and to achieve the best aesthetic results.

Scars resulting from a facelift are typically hidden behind the hairline or in the natural creases of the face to help reduce visibility. As recovery continues, the appearance of scars will fade and improve over time.

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