The initial recovery stages of any surgery, including a Facelift, can be a challenge because you’re not feeling or looking normal. Patience is key. Even as your body is healing, a large portion of recovery is emotional, too. Continue to remind yourself of your “why.” How will looking at least 10 years younger make you feel? Imagine yourself at the next big event where you’ll receive all the compliments of how young and healthy you look. This is a light at the end of the tunnel, as your body goes through the physical and emotional healing process.

Month 1: Getting Back to Normal

Fortunately, once you get through the first 2 to 3 weeks after your Facelift, you should start to feel encouraged as you see the swelling and bruising go down. The rippled or puckered incision sites should smooth out. This really helps with camouflaging them with makeup or hairstyle. Your confidence will increase as you start to venture out and are able to resume more daily activities. Even though there will still be some bruising, swelling and tightness, you will probably feel confident and comfortable enough with covering them with makeup. Most people can return to work by the 3^rd week.

However, don’t get overconfident and push yourself too hard. You’ll want to be very conscious of protecting your skin and incisions from the sun, also. Incisions will probably remain pink or red until they fade away over a year’s time, but any exposure in the sun can darken the scars permanently.

Month 2 and beyond

Once you’re past the first month, the Facelift recovery process significantly improves. Even though your healing still has a ways to go before you feel completely normal, it will be encouraging to feel confident enough to get out and about. Incision site, swelling and bruising won’t look completely healed in the first 6 months, but you’ll probably be the only one to notice their slight effects. Any tightness will resolve as you get more comfortable in your new youthful skin.

Choosing a triple board certified surgeon, such as myself, ensures the Facelift surgery will be executed with precise artistry and safety. Your self care during recovery is just as significant of a role in the successful outcome. Remember that even as you’re feel much better in the months following your Facelift, it’s important to continue to be as diligent with the good skin care habits that have been necessary for healing.

You want to protect your investment and take the best care of your skin so that the results will last as long as possible. Let’s talk about how we can partner in the process of an amazing rejuvenating Facelift to turn back the clock a decade or two. Winter is a great time to get the process started. Schedule your consultation at www.davinciplastic.com today.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

A Facelift is a well thought through investment. Knowing how to care for the investment leads to its ultimate success and your happiness with the results. In our post operative preparation consultation, you will be given details on the proper care during your Facelift surgery recovery. Today I’ll cover some of that process and the recovery timeline.

The First Week

A helpful companion should be with you from the time you’re out of surgery until at least the first 24 to 48 hours. They can help remind you of care instructions, ease you into the routine, and look after you in the initial period of getting used to recovery.

You shouldn’t be in a lot of pain because the medication will help with that, although you might feel some nausea or fatigue. Proper incision care should help the stitches to not feel itchy. Don’t be alarmed that your swelling and bruising will seem to get worse on day 3 or 4 before it starts to get better. Also, healing doesn’t always happen equally on both sides of the face, so one side may stay bruised or swollen a little longer than the other. Be sure to report any fever or unusual bulges. We’ll check everything to make sure its healing well when we have our 1 week follow up appointment to remove any staples.

You may feel well enough to move around the house a little bit after a day or 2, which is good for circulation, but during the first week you’re taking it real easy. It’s a good time to catch up on your audio books, movies, scrapbooking, organize the junk drawer or other light household chores.

Second Week

You’ll start to see some real progress in the healing during the 2^nd and 3^rd weeks, even though there will still be bruising on the face and neck, and likely around the ears and eyes. You will probably feel well enough for an outing, but its ok to want to stay out of the public eye until the bruising and swelling further resolve. However, if you’re getting cabin fever and must go out, there are clever makeup tricks to cover the bruising up to the edge of the incision.

It’s important to have some mild activity throughout the day to help with circulation, so do not stay on bed rest. Keep yourself moving by taking a short walk if the weather is cool enough, by doing some light housework or organizational projects. Healthy circulation will help your healing, but more movement isn’t necessarily better. Avoid overexertion or any strenuous activity.

It’s normal to feel strange sensations, such as tingling or burning as the nerve endings are firing off. It’s also normal to have numbness or not have any feeling in the area yet. More than likely you’ll feel some tightness for a while. These effects are still the very early stages of Facelift recovery. Next blog will continue into the later stages.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon