A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is perfect for those looking to reverse the signs of aging that have already exhausted other noninvasive procedures such as fillers and Botox. This procedure targets unwanted wrinkles, sagging jowls, and sagging skin around the face and neck. For a facelift procedure, the plastic surgeon will lift the skin and removing and repositioning any fat to fill in wrinkled and sagging skin. Undergoing plastic surgery can be intimidating but being well-prepared for what’s to come can help put nerves at ease.
Day of Surgery
Post-surgery you will wake up with bandages to help control swelling and bruising, and in some cases there will be drainage tubes to help drain any built-up fluid near the facelift site. A caregiver will need to be present the day of the procedure to help take care you post-op. You will not be able to see your results right away and it will not be for a few weeks before you see any results.
Week 1
A lot of rest is recommended during your recovery period, especially the first week. The day following your surgery you will need to visit your plastic surgeon so they can remove and change your bandages and check on the incision sites. While bruising and swelling will be present for weeks following your surgery, they will be at their worst during the first week. It’s important to continue taking pain medications as instructed during the first week but you should start to feel more comfortable with moving around.
Week 2-3
You will continue to have bruising and swelling during these two weeks although not as much as the first week. This bruising and swelling could lead you to feel some tightness, tingling, and numbness, which is normal after a facelift. Your sutures could be removed any time between the end of the first week and week three, this depends on your healing process and the particular procedure you had done. By week three you should be feeling back to normal and excited to show off your results.
1 Month
By your one-month mark you should feel ready to return to normal everyday activities. You’ll have little to minimal swelling which could take up to a year before fully going away. You should be able to go out in public without makeup and proudly show off your new youthful face. Keep in mind that every patient’s recovery is unique depending on the extent of their surgery and how well they take care of themselves post-surgery.