After the facelift procedure is over, the patient will usually receive detailed guidance for post-operative care from the cosmetic surgeon. The patient should follow the instructions diligently in order to ensure safer and faster recovery. When the patient has a clear understanding of what to expect during facelift recovery, they can be better prepared for it.

Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon D. McLain providing facelift surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations. Dr. McLain will discuss the recovery process at length with the patient.

 

Immediately after the Facelift

Following the facelift procedure, the cosmetic surgeon will loosely bandage the patient’s head and face to help minimize bruising and swelling. Drainage tubes may be placed behind the ear to prevent fluid build-up under the skin. Pain medications will be prescribed for the first few days to keep the patient comfortable.

Some degree of post-operative swelling, skin discoloration and numbness in the treated areas is expected after facelift. Showering or bathing must be avoided until the surgeon approves it. The head should be kept immobile and elevated as far as possible for the first few days.

 

First Week

In the first week after a facelift, any strenuous activity should be avoided, but the patient should not be overly sedentary. Mild walking in the room a few times a day will support blood flow and prevent clotting. Stitches and drains are typically removed around one week after the surgery. During the first week, the patient should:

• Keep the bandages clean and dry and change them often
• Empty the drainage tubes regularly as instructed
• Avoid getting the face wet until the surgeon allows
• Use cool compresses on the eyes
• Return as scheduled for a post-operative follow up

Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon receiving patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas.

 

Subsequent Weeks

Bruising will disappear in about two to three weeks, but mild swelling is likely to persist for several weeks after a facelift. Most patients can resume their regular activities or return to work in about 10 to 14 days after a traditional facelift surgery. However, they will still be required to observe certain restrictions, which may include:

• Sleeping with the head in an elevated position for the first two weeks
• Refraining from vigorous exercises and heavy lifting of weights for three to four weeks
• Avoiding the use of pools, saunas and hot tubs until approved by the surgeon
• Avoiding aspirin, anti-inflammatories, tobacco, and alcohol as per the surgeon’s advice
• Not wearing certain types of makeup as per the surgeon’s advice

 

Complete Recovery

The patient should attend all follow-up appointments with the surgeon in the months following a facelift. If any signs of post-op complications are noticed, the surgeon should be informed promptly. As the recovery progresses over several weeks and months, swelling will disappear and the full results of the facelift will be visible more clearly.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.