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.
If you feel nauseated, continue to take sips of fluids as tolerated and avoid solid food. After 24 hours and if you don't feel sick to you stomach, you can eat soft, regular food. Avoid hot/spicy foods for at least 1 week after surgery.
Unfortunately, chewy foods can be uncomfortable or even painful to eat. Your body will need nutritious foods to heal properly, but you'll be limited in what you'll be able to eat without increasing swelling or pain in your face.
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.
Most people recover in 4 to 6 weeks. But it probably will take 6 months or more to see the final result from the surgery. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace.
General Facelift Recovery
In general, the results from your facelift will look very good after about 1-month and you'll look your best at 6 months.
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.
Avoiding highly processed foods, high-fat fried foods, sugary treats, drinks, as well as a diet high in salt is key to a faster and smoother recovery time. Fluids are still crucial, so drink up, eat well, and sleep often to get the best possible results from surgery.
Walking is hands down the best form of exercise to do post any kind of surgery including a facelift. Walking in the initial phases of recovery will promote blood circulation, prevent blood clots and promote healing. It will give you a surge of energy as well.
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.
Normal Smiling Should Return After Two Weeks
Though most patients can usually smile as usual after one or two weeks, it takes others as many as six weeks.
While it may seem impossible to change your sleeping position, the overwhelming majority of patients tolerate temporary back-sleeping after facelift surgery exceptionally well.
Day one is usually when you most need pain medication to stay on top of discomfort. Day 2. Your surgeon will schedule a follow-up visit around this time. They will remove or change your surgical dressings and evaluate your incisions and swelling.
Activity: For the first 24 hours, rest is absolutely necessary. Elevate the head and talk as little as possible. Sleep in a recliner if possible or with your head on several pillows.
1 Week Post-Op
During the first week after your facelift, you can expect swelling and bruising around your lower face, ears and neck.
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.
Use ice for up to 45 minutes out of each waking hour for the first 24 hours. An easy schedule to follow is 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Heat You may begin heat packs 12 hours after ice packs are stopped. If no bandage is present, a moist towel should be placed between the skin and the heat source.
All of the muscles encountered in facelifting, including the platysma, orbicularis oculi, zygomaticus major and minor, and risorius muscles, belong to the superficial group [24].
Fatigue is normal following surgery and should improve day after day as your body begins to heal itself. Some people have it worse than others due to age, health, and the type of surgery they had, but with time and proper care, most will be able to build up their strength and energy levels.
Be careful, take it easy, and avoid any vigorous exercises for at least a few days after the procedure. If you feel pain or discomfort during an activity, take a moment to stop and rest to avoid injury to the face or body. After the initial recovery, you can slowly return to your daily routine to encourage blood flow.
In fact, getting up and moving throughout the day – even if only for a walk around the house or a light walk outside – can help to promote healthy circulation, reduce swelling and speed up your plastic surgery recovery. Of course, you do not want to overdo your movement after plastic surgery.
Stage 2 (Post-Op Days 7-14)
During the second week post-surgery, you will likely still have swelling and bruising around the affected areas. Some patients report strange sensations, such as tingling, numbness, or tightness. These sensations are commons occurrences following a facelift and are not cause for concern.
Not only is a natural-looking facelift possible, but it's also what you should expect from an experienced and professional surgery team. To help you get the results you deserve, our expert plastic surgeon, Dr. Anthony Dardano, shares five guidelines here that produce the most flattering facelift possible.