Pain. There is usually very little actual pain following a facelift, but you may experience a deep bruised sensation as a result of the swelling, and your face may seem heavy. The bandage you will wear the first night may seem quite snug under your chin.
You will feel some pain for 2 to 4 days after surgery. You may have some trouble opening your mouth for several days. The skin around the incisions probably will be numb. You may have some itching or shooting pain as the feeling returns.
In general, you can expect to make a full recovery from your procedure in about two to three weeks. A traditional face and neck lift addresses a larger area and a greater degree of skin laxity than other procedures, so recovery will take longer than more minimally invasive procedures.
You should feel back to normal after a month and not have irritation or pain around your skin. You can also get back to your various regular activities at this point, although the bruising and numbness could take up to a year to fully clear.
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. SLEEP WITH THE HEAD OF THE BED ELEVATED for 1-2 weeks after your operation.
Most patients are able to return to work somewhere between 10 and 14 days after their facelift procedure. At this point, you may still have some swelling, bruising, and scarring that will impact the way you look, but a solid application of makeup should adequately disguise any signs of surgery.
One Week
You are swollen still, some are very swollen, others look like they are ready to be back out socially with their hair down – but again there is no normal. At this stage the swelling is descending with gravity and there can be a bit of a new double chin – which will go.
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.
Will I be able to smile after a facelift? Yes. Your face will feel somewhat tight for the first week or two after the surgery, and you may have some difficulty smiling. This will go away, and patients will be able to expose their smile and enjoy their rejuvenated appearance.
Facelift surgery will not affect your smile when performed appropriately. You can help to ensure the most pleasing and reliable results by choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your procedure.
How much weight can I lose safely to preserve my facelift? Most doctors recommend losing weight slowly and at a healthy pace. Losing 1-2 pounds per week is ideal for safe and lasting results. This slow steady rate ensures skin has time to conform over the new contour to maintain a firm, youthful appearance.
Patients are encouraged to take it easy by eating soft foods and avoiding anything that is too chewy or hard. This is because swelling can make some foods difficult to eat. Here are some examples of meals that are easy to eat after a facelift in Denver, CO: Soups: Pureed or cream-based soups are ideal after surgery.
Things Not To Do After Facelift Surgery
Avoid applying pressure around the incisions. Restrict physical activity for several days after surgery (other than walking). Avoid bending and lifting heavy objects for about 2 weeks. Do not color or bleach hair for at least 4 weeks.
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.
Generally speaking, patients who undergo facelift surgery will be advised to sleep on their back with their head elevated to about a 30-degree angle for several weeks.
Brush teeth gently with a soft toothbrush only. Avoid manipulation of upper lip and cheeks. You may have difficulty opening your mouth wide or turning your head. As healing takes place and swelling subsides this will improve.
Postoperative depression is a common side effect of surgery, and it doesn't just affect patients who have had cosmetic surgery. People who have had surgeries for their health, such as removing their appendix or heart surgery often experience strong emotional reactions.
Motor nerve damage affects the movement of the face. Damage to the nerve that moves the lower lip is most common and can lead to a crooked smile, though this only occurs in less than 1% of patients. Full facial movement usually returns within a few weeks.
Some people worry that their faces will looked stretched out or that it will otherwise be obvious that they had surgery. Ishii says this shouldn't be the case with the right surgeon. “If the surgery is performed well, the result will be natural in appearance,” she says. “Nobody will be able to tell.”
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.
Most people interested in drastic cosmetic results undergo facelift surgery during their 40s, 50s, or 60s. Having a facelift during the 40s may yield more subtle results, as the signs of aging may not be as drastic as they would be in your 60s.
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.
The concept of beauty and ageing is subjective and individual, so it can be difficult to say exactly how much younger you will look after a facelift, but most patients report they look and feel a decade or so younger than pre-surgery.
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.