In general, the results from your facelift will look very good after about 1-month and you'll look your best at 6 months. A facelift can produce long-lasting results for years to come. And while everyone has a unique aging process, many of my patients don't feel they need more work for 12-14 years.
Facelift recovery time
You should look and feel normal after 2 – 4 weeks. Keep in mind that facelift surgery cannot stop natural aging, so we encourage patients to continue to take care of their skin and make healthy lifestyle choices.
The swelling may get worse before it gets better, but it will probably go away in 1 to 2 weeks. After a few days you may get some bruises on your neck and chest. This is caused by gravity, which pulls the excess blood and bruising downward. You will feel some pain for 2 to 4 days after surgery.
When performed correctly by the hands of a skilled surgeon, facelift results can be some of the most natural looking of any cosmetic procedure and can leave you with a rejuvenated and more youthful facial appearance. Your skin produces less collagen each year as you age.
Many people regret having had cosmetic surgery, either because the outcome does not match the hoped-for image or because of complications. Research by Medical Accident Group found that 65% of people they polled regretted their surgery, though 28% were very happy with its results.
Noticeable Incisions
Visible scars are glaring signs of plastic surgery. Generally, facelift incisions run from the hairline at the temple and continue in front of and behind the ears and extend to the lower scalp.
Beginning on day 2 or 3, light walking is recommended to help promote blood flow which speeds healing. Short, easy walks is the only form of exercise that should be undertaken. Many patients start to feel less discomfort over the first few weeks as bruising and swelling subsides.
At weeks 3 and 4, you may still have some residual swelling (this is normal and will dissipate), but for the most part it is at this point patients often begin to see real improvement in their face. You will look and feel much better three weeks after your facelift.
Generally speaking, most patients will need to sleep on their back with their upper body slightly elevated for about 2 – 3 weeks after facelift surgery. For patients who undergo a less extensive procedure, such as a mini facelift, it may be possible to return to side-sleeping sooner.
Why? When the facelift is performed, the skin is tightened and it can flatten out the jowls because the skin is tighter. However, over time as the skin relaxes, the full fatty jowls will restretch out the skin and the jowls will reappear.
AVOID BENDING OVER OR LIFTING heavy things for one week. Besides aggravating swelling, this may raise the blood pressure and start hemorrhage. AVOID HITTING OR BUMPING YOUR FACE, HEAD AND NECK. It is wise not to pick up small children and you should sleep alone for one week after your operation.
Facelift recovery Weeks 3 and 4
At weeks 3 and 4, you still may have some residual swelling and tightness, but for the most part, will start looking and feeling much better. Here is where patients often begin to see real improvements in their facial contour.
The formation of tiny lumps that occur along the site of the incision is often reported by many patients. The causes of these bumps are varied and fluid retention, primarily from the lymphatic fluid, can cause these bumps.
How much younger does a facelift make me look? According to a study in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (the American Society of Plastic Surgeons). Patients who have undergone a facelift rate themselves as looking at an average of 12 years younger after facelift surgery.
(b) Don't TURN THE HEAD without turning the neck and shoulders as one unit, when you must turn, do so as if you had a “crick” in the neck, for 4-6 weeks.
You can typically expect the worst of the swelling and bruising around day 3-4, after which you will start to see incremental improvements over the course of several weeks.
One of the concerns of most patients after cosmetic surgery is feelings of weakness and fatigue. These are normal and usually go away in a few days or weeks after the surgery. If fatigue persists and you experience other symptoms, inform your plastic surgeon immediately.
Limit Caffeine Intake
Avoid all sorts of caffeinated beverages if you can. If you cannot, limit the caffeine intake to one beverage per day. Excessive caffeine can dehydrate your body which is never a good thing for post-surgical swelling.
The most dramatic yet natural-looking results occur with a full SMAS facelift with the incisions on either side of the face beginning at the temple and extending down and around the ear to the lower scalp. These incisions are well hidden within the hairline.
Scarves, hats, and glasses can help hide facial plastic surgery. Sunglasses may hide bruises and swelling after eyelid surgery or brow lift. A loose fitting hat can help conceal a face lift, and help protect from the sun too. A turtle neck, collared shirt, or scarf are good options after neck lift procedures.
“The study shows that patients are extremely happy with their decisions to have a facelift and with the results,” Dr. Thorne tells Cosmetic Surgery Times.
Using ultrasound, we demonstrated that the fascial fascia and the muscles that control facial expression move around a great deal in ways we never previously recognized. Tethering these muscles with poorly-placed sutures creates some of the weird smiles we see after facelift surgery.
Expect to Look Worse Before Looking Better
Don't be alarmed by significant facial swelling and bruising. These effects are typical after a facelift, but gradually diminish as you heal.