Facelift surgery offers a wealth of benefits for people with aging skin, and can completely transform your appearance. Facelifts are designed to tighten and tone the skin, smooth out the jawline, recontour the face and create a more youthful look. Since a portion of the surgery typically involves fat removal with liposuction, the skin will need to heal and restore itself for several weeks and months after surgery. Here are some essential recovery tips after a facelift and other types of facial plastic surgery:
1. Plan to stay at the surgery center for at least one night. Most facelift surgery patients are booked for an overnights stay at the plastic surgery center because when the anesthesia wears off, they may need special care and pain medication to manage the effects of surgery. You can expect to stay at the center about 24 to 48 hours depending on the type of surgery performed.
2. Maintain your bandage schedule. Most
facelift surgery procedures require the changing of bandages every 24 to 48 hours. This means you will need to return to the center several times throughout the healing process. This will reduce the risk of infection and also promote healing.
3. Be prepared for at least two weeks of swelling and bruising. You may need to take time off work and avoid certain activities for 14 to 21 days after surgery because your face and neck will still be swollen. These effects can be managed with ice packs and rest. It’s also important to eat a balanced diet and take any prescribed supplements at this time, as this can promote healing.
4. Avoid strenuous activities and exercise for at least three weeks. Your face will be swollen and bruised for weeks after surgery, and may still be tender to the touch. It’s important to avoid strenuous activities during this healing period, because your blood needs to work on healing the damaged tissues, not on recovering from a workout.
5. Wear sun protection at all times. In addition to applying sun block in any areas that are no longer sore and tender, you will need to protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat, visor or other sun protecting accessory. Your skin will be very sensitive after surgery and you will need to protect your wounds and scars from any type of UV damage.
6. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol. Most surgeons will advise you to stop smoking at least two weeks to two months prior to surgery, and you will also need to watch your nicotine intake after surgery because nicotine may negatively affect the healing process. Excessive alcohol consumption can also slow down the healing process.
7. Wait at least two months to undergo a chemical peel or laser skin resurfacing procedures. The scars from facelift surgery will need to heal completely before you undergo any type of deep exfoliation treatment. Avoid aggressive facial treatments for at least two to three months after surgery so that you do not risk reopening an old wound.
Learn more about
facelift surgery in our information guide, or consult with a
plastic surgeon in your area to find out what the recovery and healing process after a facelift involves.
Published: 11/06/2009, Last Updated: 11/06/2009
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics obtained from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.