Well-informed patients have a better recovery period following a face lift. It will serve you well to educate yourself on this.
For most people who choose to get a face lift,
the decision to have the surgery is the most difficult part of the process. However, for some that are not properly informed, the recovery can be equally as difficult.
The more a patient understands about the surgery and the recovery process, the more likely they are to be satisfied with it. Recovering from the surgery is not necessarily something a face lift patient needs to worry about, as there are rarely any complications. However, if a patient does not understand what is normal and not normal in the recovery process, they are more likely to be concerned.
A cosmetic surgery client should learn about their surgery and recovery process through their surgeon. This is generally the case. A client will sit down with their elected plastic surgeon to discuss the procedure. At that time, the surgeon should, and usually does, walk them through all the ins and outs of the surgery. Leaving the consultation, the patient should feel confident going into the surgery because they are fully aware of what to expect.
Ideally, the patient learns from the surgeon during follow-up appointments after the surgery. During the recovery process, it is normal for the individual that underwent the procedure to have a lot of questions. The doctor is normally available to answer any questions the patient may have about the recovery process.
Occasionally, though, individuals slip through the cracks. A patient does not get the right information from a surgeon or the surgeon is unable to truly make time to listen to the concerns of his or her client. When this happens, questions begin to arise about whether what is being experienced post surgery is or is not normal.
For most people there will be a certain amount of facial swelling following the procedure. This is completely normal. Some swelling can last a few days or longer. To keep the swelling down, the patient should stay well hydrated, keeping their head propped up while sleeping. Bruising and discoloration of the skin can accompany the swelling. This is also normal.
Most people experience numbness along with the swelling and bruising after the face lift. Sometimes nerves take a while to catch up with the rest of the tissue. Again, numbness is completely normal and can last for a varying amount of time depending on the surgery and the overall health of the person undergoing the procedure.
Finally, a patient can expect to have some skin tightening while the sutures and incisions heal. The tightening of the skin is normal and only represents that the skin is doing its best to promote new growth. Some draining may accompany the skin tightening.
If a patient experiences severe pain or headaches, dizziness, fever, excessive draining or other signs of infection, then it is possible that they are experiencing complications in the recovery process and need to seek medical attention.
Face lift surgery is one procedure that can positively change the life of the person who undergoes it, as long as they are informed about their recovery.
