What Patients Should Expect During Facelift Recovery

Patients who undergo a facelift will no doubt be excited about the new look they’ll be debuting in the months following surgery. One important part of the planning process, however, is preparing for what to expect after the procedure. There are different phases and milestones every patient should expect during facelift recovery.

The most immediate concern many patients have is about discomfort. I use tumescent technique in addition to the patient’s chosen level of sedation for maximal comfort during and after surgery. Most of my patients are off narcotic pain medication within 72 hours.

Driving can resume after approximately three or four days assuming the patient is no longer taking medication. The key to knowing whether patients are ready to drive is ensuring they can turn the head from side to side in order to safely check blind spots when behind the wheel.

The next step in facelift recovery deals with swelling and bruising. Swelling and bruising increases daily for the first several days following the procedure. Around the fifth day, these symptoms will begin to subside. Approximately one week after the surgery, most patients will have little swelling or bruising left in the face and neck area. Patients can begin wearing makeup at this point in time as well.

Patients should plan on waiting approximately one to two weeks before getting back to pre-surgery social calendars. This will allow enough time for the body to heal. With the help of the right hairstyle or hair cut, plus the use of makeup, many patients can cover signs of the procedure at this point. Indeed, I have had clients married four weeks following a facelift.

When it comes to patients getting back to their full physical routines, including things like exercising and heavy lifting around the home, the typical recommendation is approximately three weeks. It is a good idea for patients to give themselves a full three-week period for a complete facelift recovery. In some cases, patients may experience some numbness for several weeks or months after that.