Tips to Help Recover From a Facelift

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by Dr. Steven Wallach

Remaining youthful in terms of appearance is a secret wish for all of us. It is for this reason that the facelift procedure is gaining more popularity across the country. The recovery process is as crucial as the procedure itself. You don’t want to destroy your face after it has gone through hours of surgical procedure to contour it!

The following guide for recovery after a facelift procedure will highlight different stages of your recovery process.

The Day of Your Surgery

After the surgery, it is highly unlikely that you will recall the procedure itself. Afterwards, the doctor will prescribe pain relief medicine to ease the pain of the procedure. In some cases, your face might be wrapped in bandages to contain the swelling and ensure minimal bruising. The doctor may also see it fit to attach draining tubes to your face, removing excess fluid around the area. At this point, it is impossible to note the results of the procedure. Depending on your status after surgery, you may be discharged the following day with prescribed pain medication to last you for a few days.

Following Days After the Procedure

As the days pass, the pain reduces, but you may note some swelling and bruising. This should not worry you, as it is part of the healing process. Similarly, it becomes impossible to note the changes from before and after the procedure. The healing process takes time, mostly because the procedure changed your muscles, fat and skin. I strongly advise that at this time, you stay as calm as possible, away from busy places and gatherings. You can partake in small movements like walking. However, heavier activities like running, carrying heavier goods, or high-intensity workouts should wait.

A Week After Your Surgery

At this point, you can cease taking pain relief medicine become more active. However, it would help if you still refrained from tasking physical activities. The swelling and bruising will slowly start to disappear. At this point, you are still unable to see the changes after the procedure properly. All post-procedural instructions still apply at this point.

Two Weeks After Your Surgery

When you get to this point, you will have gotten through the most trivial and biggest struggle of the entire process. You may have swelling or bruising, but very minimal. The majority of patients can also go out in public by the second week, without worrying about bruising or swelling. Tingling is common, especially because the bruising and swelling of your face are subsiding. Your life should be back to normal by the end of the second week.

A Month After Your Surgery

You should be able to fully recover your life, including taking part in straining physical activities like running and physical jobs. Ease into your old lifestyle, giving time for your body to adjust to the new changes. At this point, the difference between before and after the facelift is completely clear. Your skin may feel tighter or tingly; this is nothing to worry you.

Months Later

Almost all side effects of the surgery will disappear at this stage. You will now enjoy your new contoured face and youthful appearance without signs of bruising or swelling. Your life is also entirely back to how it was before the surgery.

From the above description, the recovery process of a facelift procedure requires a lot of patience. Identifying certified and renowned plastic surgeons like Dr. Steven Wallach will increase your chances of a better procedure and a faster recovery. You can contact us concerning the facelift recovery process or any cosmetic procedure.