My Facelift Recovery - What To Expect - Things To Know - Pain? Timeline?

Patsy's recovery story - What you should expect...

10 secrets to a great facelift recovery

1. Follow all of your surgeon's post-operative instructions to the letter. This will minimize your risk of complications and help ensure a smooth, speedy recovery.

2. Get plenty of rest and sleep in an upright position for the first few nights after surgery, as this will help reduce swelling.

3. Keep your head elevated at all times, even when you're sleeping, to help reduce swelling.

4. Apply ice packs to your face for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day, for the first few days after surgery.

5. Avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for at least two weeks after surgery.

6. Take all of your prescribed medications as directed.

7. Attend all of your follow-up appointments with your surgeon.

8. Be sure to wear sunscreen and protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

9. Avoid smoking, as it can contribute to poor healing and increased risk of complications.

10. Be patient! It can take several weeks for all of the swelling to subside and for you to see your final results.

[qogkkje]

My wife had upper eyes, face lift, neck lift, and CO2 laser at same time. Her face was very swollen from day to day 6. Lots of bruising still after 2 weeks with some swelling still and bruising although bruises were getting better (green and yellow).
After 3 weeks some bruising was still very visible, along with some swelling in the neck and even around the eyes. Areas of the neck and face along the jaw were very hard. Going into week 4 and from my perspective there is still at least 2 weeks before the swelling and bruising will be unnoticeable to others. Hopefully that pulled look will also be more relaxed by then. In my opinion it will be a good 6 weeks before she will be comfortable being seen by others....hopefully. i think the recovery time is longer than they tell you. Two weeks is no where near enough to resume social activities or return to work. Perhaps if they were being totally honest many prospective patients would not consider doing it. Im just giving you real honest results so someone else may take comfort in their own experience taking longer to recover than what was promissed.

[td]

I had a face lift about 12 days ago because I started developing jowls and hated it. Although I'm 60, I've never had wrinkles and my skin is in very good shape - just jowl issues. I did a ton of research so expected to look like a train ran over my face. Actually, I looked much worst and was completely unrecognizable. I developed blood clots on the right side of my face - not uncommon. I was surprised that I had issues with my vision (and still do). No way am I ready to go out in public. I think I will be "public ready" in 4 weeks. Also, I've had a lot of pain around my ears - didn't expect that. Although the first few days were super rough, I would do it again.

[KimTownsel]

Thanks for the practical tips. You look great.

[DrRLangdon]

You seem to be describing the usual experience of face lift patients after the procedure is done with less-than-optimal local anesthesia. We use the term Express-Lift for our face lift because of the rapid recovery, which is attributable to the use of tumescent local anesthesia. Vasoconstriction is so good that it is not unusual for there to be virtually no bleeding during the face lift. With greatly reduced bruising and swelling, most patients look quite presentable by 7 days post-op. If general anesthesia is used for facelift, most often less local anesthesia is used, resulting in much more bruising and swelling. Thanks.

[Mary-lblv]

If she had no makeup on in the after, it would be more convincing. As a forming makeup artist from NY, I know the power of makeup and its abilities to do wonders.

[DrRLangdon]

Lisa: numbness of ears is unusual but can happen. All feeling is usually restored within a couple of months. Thanks

[lisatompkins]

Good advice! I just had this done sept 12th. Having help and make sure you have soft food. Can you tell me when the numbness went away? I am numb all over my ears in the back of my neck.

[bridydone]

I'm 8 days post and my lower face is super swollen and the compression garme.t fits like crap and it's still hard to eat. Everyone saying how easy their recovery was makes me wo.der why mine is so rough. And I'm only 48 and had minimal sag. Lower face and neck lifts.

[susanstewart]

Frankly, it just looks like no makeup in the pic and well done full coverage makeup in the video.

[TheLolacat]

I can't see the difference other than she has makeup on doing the filming?