How To Plan For Your Recovery From Facelift Surgery

 
If you are planning a facelift then hopefully your surgeon or consultant has already given you plenty of information about the recovery process following the operation. A facelift is something that a lot of people contemplate when they are thinking of ways to look younger, and for many people it is the perfect solution.

 

There are all sorts of procedures that can be carried out on the face including nose reshaping, eyelid lifting and lip collagen implants, and that’s just for starters. Different procedures have different recovery times so you should always check with your surgeon what you should expect for the treatment you are having. There are certain things about the recovery process that apply to all types of treatment, and we’ll tell you a little more about it here:

What to Expect After the Surgery

 

Immediately after the surgery you will be feeling delicate and you may experience some pain as the anesthetic wears off. You should expect to have some short-lived side effects such as headaches or maybe some sickness from the medication. This will pass in time so try to put up with it as much as possible and keep a constant supply of painkillers. You will be left with a bandage dressing on your face, and you must leave this on, as irritating as it may be. It’s best to book some time off work so that you can recover without having to suffer the embarrassment of going out in public before you are healed. You will have to make a few trips to the aftercare surgery to have your dressings removed or changed. You should always follow your surgeon’s advice on what to do following the operation.

In The Next Few Days & Weeks

 

The tenderness will begin to subside and some bruising may appear as the area heals. This is natural, but sometimes embarrassing – rest assured that it will reduce in time. You may also experience some pain but this can be managed with painkillers. As well as the bruising you may also get some swelling – this is natural too as it is just the body’s way of building up protection around the affected area. After around two weeks, the bruising, swelling and pain should all but disappear (especially if you treat the area with cold compresses and a natural antiseptic), and it’s then that you will start to notice the result of the operation.

What Not To Do

 

When you are in the recovery period you should avoid any excessive physical movement. Naturally exercise is something that should be avoided for a while, but you should also refrain from sudden movements or heavy lifting. You are able to wash your hair after a couple of days, but this should be done carefully – perhaps get some help from a friend.

After around three weeks you should start to look and feel normal again. You’ll have to be patient while your body heals but it will all be worth it in the end. Soon enough it’ll be time to head back out into the world and show them the brand new you!

This post has been contributed by Nancy Baker, who is a freelance blogger. She writes for JoAn Monaco, MD, a renowned female plastic surgeon in New York. She is quite passionate about her work and she enjoys spending time with her children when she gets free. You can also follow her on Twitter @Nancy Baker.

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