- Pain and Discomfort after Facelift surgery - it is only to be expected that patients should experience some discomfort in the face following surgery, and you should prepare yourself for this. You should expect some heaviness, swelling and numbness in those areas that have been operated on. Also
you will probably feel some tightness in the face and neck area which will restrict movement in your neck - you will not be able to turn your neck fully from side to side during the first days following your surgery. However, the good news is that most of the discomfort can be controlled with pain medication.
You are much more likely to experience discomfort rather than physical pain!
- Rest and Relax after Facelift surgery - for the first 3-4 weeks after your surgery it is essential that you do not carry out any strenuous activities including exercise. Normal exercise routines can be started after 6 weeks - but do check first with your surgeon. It is strongly recommended
that you take things as easy as possible and only do those things that can be done easily without any strain. For the first few days after surgery sleep whenever you feel like it, as rest and relaxation will greatly help your healing and recovery.
- Do not bend down, turn suddenly, reach up, or lift anything heavy. Any of these could cause a sudden rise in blood pressure resulting in bleeding.
- Do not wash your hair or bath/shower until advised to do so by your surgeon. Ensure that your incisions are kept dry - and when you are able to wash your hair, using a mild shampoo, pat the area of the incisions gently to dry them.
- Eat regular small but healthy and easily digested meals - the day after surgery you will probably find it difficult to eat normal foods - so we recommend that before your surgery if staying in an apartment you stock up with foods that are soft and easy to eat and digest. It is very important
that you eat healthily and include green and other coloured vegetables together with a wide variety of fruits as well as daily amounts of protein - in order to help the healing process. Vitamin C and Zinc are especially helpful in wound healing.
- Sleep propped up - and build a 'nest' of pillows/cushions around you to support your head and body. This will help to reduce the swelling and ensure you do not lie on your stitches/incisions.
- Alcohol should be avoided completely for the first 2 weeks following surgery, as it can increase your chances of postoperative bleeding.
- No Smoking - similarly smoking can cause increased bleeding, poor circulation, and delayed or compromised wound healing. Do not smoke for at least 4 weeks before or after surgery to ensure your best chances of healing and recovery.
- Keep out of the sun for several months following your surgery - and make sure you don't forget to use a high protection facial sunblock each day. If outside in the sun wear a hat and good quality sunglasses and keep in the shade.
- Normal Reactions after Facelift surgery - if this is your first facelift operation, the various sensations experienced can sometimes take you by surprise - and patients do react to these in different ways. Therefore it is sensible to make yourself aware of some of the completely normal reactions
following facelift surgery, although your surgeon will explain these to you before or after your operation. Your face will probably feel tight, swollen, tender, numb and uncomfortable in parts. All these feelings are perfectly normal and predictable and you may experience some or all of these. However any sudden intense pain,
or the development of a high temperature/fever, or if your wounds appear infected, should be reported to your surgeon straight away. Many patients feel quite down and even depressed a few days after surgery and again these feelings are perfectly normal. It can be due to the anaesthetic - your appearance after surgery (swollen, bruised and worse than before!) - being alone and away from home and your normal routine. Therefore it is important to ensure you are properly prepared for
surgery and bring over with you enough to do to help pass the time - ie books, magazines, DVDs, knitting, laptop etc.
- Facelift Results - normally it takes around 3 months for the swelling to go down completely - although with some people it can take longer. You must be patient and not judge the results of your surgery for at least 6 months. After 12 months the final results of the procedure/s should be visible.
The incisions take longer to heal and after 4 -6 months these should start to fade from dark to light. You should look younger, fresher and less tired than you did before your surgery.
It is, however, important to remember that because it does take such a long time to recover fully from facelift surgery, you may forget what you looked like before the operation and therefore think
that the results of your surgery are less impressive than they actually are!
You should keep a set of your 'Before' photos handy so that you can refer to them whenever you have these niggling doubts! Then compare them with photos taken under the same conditions ie background, lighting, angle, etc, at around 4- 6 months.... you will then be able to see the full results of your surgery and realise just how much your face has actually changed!
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