A facelift is a popular cosmetic procedure designed to achieve a fresh, more youthful appearance. Sagging skin, fold lines, and jowls can all be addressed with a facelift. The surgery involves lifting the loose skin and tightening the underlying facial muscles and tissues. A facelift is a safe and effective procedure when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Still, many patients have questions about how the recovery phase will go, as it is an important part of your surgical journey. Here’s what to know about facelift recovery and what to expect.
Week 1 of Recovery
Anesthesia will be used during your surgery, so you’ll need someone to take care of you for approximately the first 24-48 hours home. Pain medicine will be prescribed to help keep you comfortable and allow you to rest. You will return to see your plastic surgeon 1-2 days after the procedure. Your plastic surgeon will remove your drains and examine everything to ensure your incisions look normal. Bruising and swelling are expected and reach their peak in the first week. Most of your pain will ease within the first few days and first week.
Week 2 of Recovery
Bruising and swelling will still be present but are starting to fade during the second week of recovery. The majority of the pain is gone by this time. It’s also completely normal for some patients to experience numbness and tingling in the face. These symptoms will gradually go away with time. Most patients go back to work after 2 weeks if they do not have a very physical job. For those patients with jobs that require heavy physical activity and lifting, more time off is typically needed. Walking is okay, but you will still avoid heavy exercise at this time.
Weeks 3 and 4 of Recovery
A great deal of the swelling on your face should be gone after the third to fourth week of recovery. This is when you will truly start to see the positive results of the facelift. Seeing your newly contoured face is a great experience, and the results will only continue to improve over time. By this time, you can start ramping up your activity levels and begin exercise as tolerated. As always, start slow and let your body be your guide. Make sure to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions on maintaining your results for a rejuvenated look that lasts for many years.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re tired of looking older than you feel, then it’s time to set up a consultation with Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, Dr. William Sabbagh and Dr. Marissa Baca at the Straith Clinic in Bingham Farms, Michigan. To get started, we invite you to contact us by calling or filling out our online form.
