A facelift addresses unwanted wrinkles, jowls, and sagging skin. If you want to look younger, it is one of the most effective procedures available, with long-lasting results. The success of the surgery can depend on the patient as well as the surgeon.
Even with the best surgeon, you can only obtain great results with your Denver facelift if you take proper care and carefully follow your postoperative directions after surgery. If you are considering a facelift procedure, it may take a couple of months to realize the final benefits, but you will look younger and ready to show off your look far sooner.
Immediately following surgery
When planning facelift surgery, arrange for a friend or family member to stay with you for the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Day one is when you will experience the most discomfort. You will feel tired and will want to rest – your body is reacting to the surgery and anesthesia. Your surgical dressings will be changed at a 24-hour follow-up appointment. You need to ensure you have no expectations for yourself, and no duties – this is your time to rest and recover.
Facelift recovery: Week one
You will have a scheduled follow-up visit with Dr. Weber within 24 hours of your facelift. He will remove or change your bandages and evaluate your incisions. If everything is healing correctly, he will re-dress the area. You will not be ready to venture out or engage in social interactions. Bruising and swelling will be at their peak during these few days but will fade significantly over the next couple of weeks.
Toward the end of the week, you should be able to be comfortable without prescription pain medication and should take gentle walks or perform minor tasks around your home if you like — no bending over or lifting.
Facelift recovery: Week two
During the second week of your recovery, you will begin to feel much better. You will still have some swelling and bruising and may feel some numbness and tingling. These side effects are expected during the early stages of healing. At the end of the second week, you should begin to feel almost normal again; you will feel your energy returning, and your face looks better too!
Facelift recovery: At one month
Depending on how your body heals, the sutures could be removed sometime from the first week to the end of the third week. It all will depend on how your body has reacted to the surgery. During this time, you may still feel a bit of tightness and some swelling, but you should start to look and feel a lot better.
Toward the end of the month, you will notice a significant improvement in the appearance and contour of your face. At this time, you may be given the okay to perform mild exercise. You can get back to your routine, confident that others will not be able to tell that you had “work done.” Some patients may require slightly longer.
Keep in mind that every patient is unique and will have very different responses to surgery. This recovery timeline is only a general guideline for your reference. You will have your own experience and should carefully follow all aftercare directions you will be provided by Dr. Weber, and feel free to reach out to us with any questions.