A facelift is a surgical procedure that can take up to 10 years off your appearance. The secret to a successful facelift surgery (besides selecting an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Andrews to perform your procedure!) is to prepare for a safe and successful recovery process. When it comes to recovering after a facelift, there are a few basic facts you need to know.
What is a Facelift?
The facelift is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure that targets signs of facial aging like deep wrinkles, sagging skin, and volume loss. Dr. Andrews uses advanced deep plane facelift surgery techniques to not only tighten the superficial layers of skin, but also the deep facial muscles and tissues. This creates a more dramatic transformation, and natural-looking results without a “pulled-back” or overly tight appearance. A facelift can be performed alone or in combination with other anti-aging surgeries like a neck lift or eyelid surgery to give you an overall rejuvenated appearance.
Facelift Recovery Tips
This quick checklist offers helpful reminders for a safe and speedy recovery period:
- Apply cold compresses to minimize swelling
- Maintain a healthy diet and stay hydrated
- Perform light exercises like walking to encourage healthy blood flow
- Keep your incision sites clean
- Attend all follow-up visits
Facelift Recovery Begins Before Surgery
Believe it or not, the recovery from your facelift actually begins long before you undergo your procedure. Your body will heal much better and faster if it is in optimal health prior to surgery. This means that if you are a smoker, you should quit at least six weeks prior to your procedure. Not only can smoking affect how you respond to anesthesia, it can also negatively impact how well your incisions heal after surgery.
Another factor that can impact your body’s healing process is the medications you are currently taking. Some medications can increase bleeding during and after surgery, which can also create more bruising after a procedure. This includes prescription blood thinners or blood pressure medication and over-the-counter medications like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. You will likely be asked to stop taking these types of medications for a period of time before your procedure.
Managing the First Few Days
The first few days after a facelift are usually the most challenging. During this time, you may experience moderate discomfort, as well as moderate swelling and bruising. Some patients also have drainage from the incision sites for the first day or two.
These more uncomfortable side effects of surgery will not last long, fortunately. Most patients find the discomfort subsides considerably within the first week. Drainage will also likely stop within that timeframe. Although bruising and swelling will likely persist for longer, they usually peak within about 48 hours before beginning to subside. Most facelift patients are completely free of bruising and a large portion of the swelling within 10-14 days. Swelling many linger in some patients for months, however.
The Importance of Following Instructions
After your facelift, you will receive detailed instructions to ensure optimal healing and a smooth recovery. Pain medication will be prescribed, along with directions on how to take it to keep you comfortable during those first few days after. You will also be given instructions on how to reduce swelling, including keeping your head elevated and using cold compresses or ice packs for the first two to three days.
Other post-operative instructions may include caring for incisions by changing your surgical dressings regularly and wearing a compression garment that can help with bruising and swelling. You will also have a number of follow-up appointments with Dr. Andrews and his staff so that he can monitor your recovery progress. The more carefully you follow your instructions, the safer and more successful your recovery will be.
Don’t Rush the Recovery Process
One of the most important things you can do to ensure a positive recovery is to avoid rushing the process. Make plans before your procedure to have food in the house and some restful activities you can enjoy during those early days of healing. Arrange for child and pet care if necessary and give yourself plenty of time off work and other obligations so your body has ample time to heal fully. Strenuous exercise, including heavy lifting, must be avoided for about six weeks, but patients can resume most normal activities after 1-2 weeks post-surgery.
We say that most patients are socially presentable 2-3 weeks after surgery and appropriate for events (weddings, reunions, graduations, etc.) 2-3 months post-operatively. Your final facelift results may take 6-12 months to develop, as the facial tissues continue to settle and residual swelling reduces.
Schedule a Consultation
With Dr. Andrews’ advanced techniques and aesthetic eye, patients can rejuvenate a more youthful appearance with natural-looking and long-lasting results. To learn more about this procedure and the facelift recovery timeline, contact Dr. Andrews at Dr. Andrews Plastic, Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery today at 855-338-0261.
