What to Expect During Your Facelift Recovery Process
Some of the most common questions asked by those looking to undergo a traditional facelift procedure revolve around the recovery process. Patients typically want to know how long the process is and what it specifically looks like. However, the answers to these questions vary from person to person and depend on factors such as your body’s natural healing process, your pre-surgery health status, how well you follow your surgeon’s instructions and more. To help make the process a bit more clear for patients, I’ve outlined some general information on what most people should expect during their facelift recovery period.
Week One
The first week after surgery is typically when your body experiences varying levels of sensitivity and soreness. Most patients are unable to return to day-to-day activities during this period and it is recommended that you let your body rest.
Immediately after your facelift procedure, you may be drowsy and should plan to have someone pick you up, drive you home and be available to help take care of you. Make sure to review all post-op instructions ahead of time to ensure you are prepared and don’t have any questions. You should also have prescription pain medication on hand for any discomfort you may experience. By the end of the week, most patients no longer need pain medication, start to see swelling reduce and feel comfortable moving around to do small tasks.
Week Two
During the second week after surgery, chances are that you will still be experiencing slight swelling and bruising around your incisions. Patients may also feel some numbing, tingling or tightening sensations around their face or neck. All these symptoms are normal, expected and not a cause for concern. Additionally, your sutures will usually be removed within or after two weeks.
At the end of the second week, most people feel ready to return to work, are more comfortable walking around and can start doing light activities again such as walking. However, if you’ve noticed no improvement in your condition after 14 days, you should schedule an appointment with your plastic surgeon immediately to discuss your concerns.
After Three Weeks
Depending on your healing process, you might still experience minimal swelling and tightness, but overall you will look and feel much better than the previous weeks. Incision sites will begin to clear up and will be much less noticeable. After four to six weeks, you should be able to fully return to day-to-day activities and start exercising again.
At this point, your recovery process should be nearly complete minus some minor residual swelling that can linger. It can take up to a year for all minimal swelling or bruising to subside, but typically these concerns will only be noticeable to you. Your final facelift results will begin to show themselves and you can begin to enjoy life with your refreshed and more youthful look.
The timeline I outlined is different for every patient. Everyone’s recovery process varies and depends on a multitude of factors. The most important part of a successful recovery is to make sure you follow pre- and post-surgery instructions provided by your surgeon. Communicating openly with your surgeon is also beneficial for a smooth recovery process.
If you’re interested in learning more about traditional facelifts, my Band Aid mini facelift or other procedures I perform, contact me, Dr. John L. LeRoy for a consultation in Atlanta today. Also, make sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for more plastic surgery insights.