Facelift - What To Expect After Surgery

While there are procedures more invasive, requiring more recovery time, the decision to have a facelift should not be taken lightly. There is risk and chance of complications that come with any surgical procedure. Having said that, choosing a surgeon with a sparkling reputation, following instructions both before and after the operation, and quickly reporting any issues can drastically reduce the chances of anything going wrong. If you're interested in knowing what you'll be facing after the surgery, here is an overview of recovery.

Results

Some patients expect to have a good idea of the results immediately following a facelift, even when the doctor is telling them this won't be the case. Don't fall into this trap, as you will only set yourself up for disappointment. It will take some time for the results to become visible and what you see in the mirror immediately following the operation will look worse than how you looked coming in. This is to be expected. We couch surgery in medical terms and words intended to produce a calming effect, but in the end you're being cut on with a knife. There is going to be some swelling and bruising after the event.

Elevation

The biggest issue you'll face in the days following your procedure is swelling. To reduce this, take any medication prescribed to you by your doctor and concentrate on keeping your head elevated above your heart. This isn't an issue for many people, except when it comes time to go to sleep. Most people are accustomed to sleeping flat, with only the slightest elevation from the use of a pillow. You may want to consider sleeping in a chair for a couple of days to bring the swelling down more quickly.

Bandages

Immediately following the facelift, your face and head will probably be wrapped up like a mummy. This is not going to be the most comfortable sensation you've ever experienced, but it is necessary. You may feel the bandages are a bit tighter than you would prefer, but they are designed to be that way. It's important to have that even pressure on your face and head to bring the swelling down during those first critical hours. Most people return for bandage removal the day after the procedure.

Discomfort

It's not unusual to experience some degree of tightness and even some numbness after a facelift. This may persist for up to two months and is usually resolved as the swelling dies down and your body becomes accustomed to the drastic changes that have occurred.