Facelift surgery is a complex surgical procedure as it involves the delicate facial anatomy. The surgeon must ensure that the facial features remain balanced and harmonious following the procedure.
The surgeon will lift the facial skin and tighten the weakened tissue and loose muscles beneath the skin and remove excess skin. Therefore, the process of recovery is a crucial part of facelift surgery.
The recovery duration can differ among patients depending on the surgical technique employed, the level of correction undertaken, and the patient’s innate healing abilities. The surgeon will explain the recovery process to the patient during the pre-operative consultation.
Board certified plastic surgeon Roger Tsai, MD provides facelift to patients in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA , and surrounding locations.
Main Elements in Facelift Recovery
In case of facelift surgery, the recovery aspect involves a few other factors in addition to physical recovery. These aspects include social recovery, emotional recovery, and recovery of natural skin sensation.
This surgical procedure also involves facial identity as well as the patient’s integrity. This makes the social and emotional facets of the recovery almost as important as the physical recovery. The recovery duration usually differs between two and three weeks.
The surgeon will remove the sutures and drain tubes in around seven to ten days. After that, the patient can resume their routine activities. However, the patient may want to remain at home for a minimum of two weeks in case they want the procedure to remain discreet.
The signs of plastic surgery will subside during this period. The patient will experience some residual inflammation even after two weeks. However, they can use makeup to hide this swelling.
The bruising will diminish quickly after the initial week. Patients who have a thinner face are at an advantage as the slight inflammation may appear only as subtle facial fullness, and may be less conspicuous.
The treated facial areas will improve and mature significantly by week three. Most patients will experience numbness around the ears. However, this numbness typically resolves by itself in some weeks.
The sites that support the sutures will feel slightly taut but will be hidden from others. The surgeon will offer in-depth post-op care guidelines. On their part, the patient should dedicatedly follow these instructions for a rapid and safe recovery.
Full Recovery
Patients should attend all follow-up consultations with their surgeons in the weeks and months after a facelift. The patient should also cautiously monitor their progress and contact the surgeon in case they experience any signs of post-op complications.
It may take many weeks for the final outcomes of the facelift to become apparent. However, as the patient recovers and the inflammation subsides, they will start experiencing a more youthful and alert appearance.
Driving Tips
The patient should also avoid driving in the initial week as the mild lower face and neck stiffness may cause pain while moving the head. The patient should avoid driving until they are taking pain medications.
Social Tips
Patients who are socially active will have to decide when they want to resume their social engagements. The visible surgery signs will take a minimum of two weeks to fade away.
To camouflage the conspicuous signs of the facelift, the patient may use makeup or make slight changes to their hairstyle. Experienced cosmetic surgeon Roger Tsai, MD receives patients from West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, and nearby areas for facelift.
For more information on cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and treatments by Beverly Hills board certified plastic surgeon, Roger Tsai, MD please click here or call us at 310.276.1190. Taking patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Orange County, Southern California and other surrounding cities.