Facelift surgery is a cosmetic procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the face and neck. Also known as rhytidectomy, it works by lifting and tightening tissues, removing excess muscle, and repositioning the skin to create a smoother, firmer, and naturally youthful appearance. Considering the sensitive nature of this surgery, it is important be cautious and provide your body with the time and care it needs to recover successfully.
Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions will help ensure proper healing and achieve the best possible results.
Post-Operative Instructions for Healing
After the surgery
- Stay in bed for the first couple of days and rest as much as possible after getting home. Only get up to use the restroom with assistance.
- Avoid lying flat on the bed. Keep your head elevated at all times using at least 2 pillows while resting or sleeping for a week to reduce swelling.
- Do not sleep on your side or stomach, as this can pull or strain the stitches and affect your results.
- Your face will be wrapped in bandages, which will be removed by the surgeon at the first follow-up appointment, typically after 24 hours. Do not remove or adjust the bandages yourself.
- Restrict your activities for the next several days. It may take up to a week or more before you start feeling normal, as your face needs time to heal.
- Avoid any vigorous facial movements, including talking for extended periods, laughing, or opening your mouth wide.
- Swelling usually peaks 2 to 3 days after surgery. While it varies from person to person, it may appear more noticeable in the face due to the nature of the tissues, and even a small amount can temporarily affect facial features. You may also experience a feeling of tightness in the skin during this time.
- Avoiding turning your head or bending the neck. If you need to turn or look sideways, move your shoulder and head as one unit to prevent straining your neck and facial muscles.
- You may feel dizzy or lightheaded when trying to sit up or stand too quickly. If you are lying down, sit up for a minute or two before standing, and rise slowly to maintain balance. If you feel dizzy at any point, lie back down immediately to reduce the risk of fainting.
- Avoid pullover clothing for the next few days. Dragging clothes over your head can put pressure on the facial stitches or stretch them, resulting in pain and swelling. Wear shirts or t-shirts that button or zip up from the front or back to protect your face.
- Do not plan any dental procedures for at least two months after your procedure as you treated areas are still healing.
- Do not color your hair or use any styling products for at least six weeks after surgery or until cleared by your surgeon. Use hair dryers on the low cool setting to dry the hair.
Do not lie in bed all the time as it can lead to stiff muscles and other complications. Change your position, move your arms and legs, and get up and take light walks around the house after every 2 hours. This is essential for normal blood circulation and reduces the danger of blood clots.
Caring for your incisions
- Once your surgeon approves, gently clean the incision site with mild soap and water or with a recommended solution three times a day.
- Keep your incisions clean and dry after washing and check them daily for signs of infection.
- Always pat dry your face with a clean, soft cloth. Do not wipe, scrub, or rub harshly, as it can damage the incisions and result in bleeding.
- Only apply antibiotic ointment or other creams as instructed by your surgeon. Proper application keeps the incisions moist, helps prevent stretching of the incisions, and reduces scarring. Incisions should not be allowed to become dry or crust over.
- Do not smoke or take any nicotine products such as vapes, patches, or gum after surgery and during the recovery period. Nicotine restricts blood flow by narrowing blood vessels, which can lead to poor wound healing, increased risk of infection, and skin tissue damage, jeopardizing your surgery outcome.
- Reduced activity after surgery may cause constipation. Increase intake of fiber and fluids to avoid straining when using the restroom, as it can place pressure on your incisions and affect healing. If needed, you may use a mild laxative or stool softener as advised by your doctor.
- Avoid direct sun exposure to your face for the next six weeks. Apply at least SPF 30 or higher when going outdoors and use a wide-brimmed hat to protect the treated area from harsh sun rays. All fresh new scars are hypersensitive to sunlight, and even a mild sunburn can irritate incisions, cause permanent scar discoloration, and slow down the recovery process.
What to expect?
- Swelling – Swelling around the eyes, cheeks, along the jawline, and down into the neck and chest is not uncommon. It is generally worse in the morning. This is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and eventual repair. It will start decreasing after 3 to 4 days, but it will take a few weeks or months for swelling to subside completely.
- Bruising – You will notice varying amounts of discoloration on your face and neck for the next several weeks. The bruises will start changing their color from yellow to greenish as they fade.
- Pain – Mild to moderate pain, tightness, or numbness is common after a facelift. You may also experience a deep, bruised sensation due to swelling, and your face may feel heavy. This is normal and will gradually improve with medication and time.
- Scarring – After the stitches are removed, the scars may appear deep pink in color. Some swelling may still be present at this stage. Over time, the scars will gradually soften, fade, and become less noticeable.
- Lumps and irregularities – You may notice small lumps, firmness, or uneven areas under the skin during the early healing period. These may result from swelling, internal sutures, or minor fluid buildup. In most cases, they gradually soften and resolve on their own within a few weeks to a month.
- Drainage – Your surgeon may place small surgical drains under the skin to prevent fluid buildup. It is normal to notice a small amount of fluid or slight oozing from the drain sites or incisions.
Don’t be alarmed if you notice some temporary asymmetry after surgery. Swelling does not always occur evenly on both sides of the face, and it can make one side look different from the other. This usually improves as swelling subsides over the following weeks.
What to eat?
- Immediately after surgery, start with light and soft foods that do not require opening your mouth wide or heavy chewing, such as yogurt, smoothies, soups, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, soft fruits, soft-cooked or boiled vegetables, porridge, or well-cooked rice and pasta.
- You can resume your normal diet after a few days, once the swelling and discomfort improve and you are able to chew comfortably without pain or straining the surgical area.
- Take balanced nutrition in your diet for proper healing. Increase your intake of proteins, vitamin C, A, and zinc for tissue repair and speedy recovery.
- Staying hydrated is very important as surgery can lead to dehydration, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water or as recommended by your surgeon.
- Avoid sipping from a straw unless your surgeon has approved it, as suction can strain the newly treated facial muscles.
- Do not consume spicy, salty, fried, heavy, and processed foods, as they can lead to swelling.
- Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods, such as candy, tough meats, and nuts, for the next few weeks to minimize stress on incisions and swelling.
- It is best to eat small, frequent meals if opening your mouth becomes uncomfortable. Take your time to chew the food slowly.
- Stay away from alcohol for at least 3 weeks or more as recommended by your doctor.
Medications
- Take all your prescribed medications, including antibiotics, ointments, and pain-relieving medications, as directed by your doctor.
- Always take all your medications with food to prevent nausea.
- Avoid taking your medications with alcohol.
- Do not use any other medications, ointments, or home remedies to your face without first talking to your doctor. Use of unauthorized medications may result in infection or permanent scarring.
Showering after facelift surgery
- You can shower when your surgeon says it is safe.
- Avoid letting the water hit your incisions directly. Do not submerge your incisions into water
- Use a mild shampoo and massage gently into your hair. Be very careful around the sutures in the hairline. Take extra caution when combing or brushing your hair to avoid snagging or pulling on the sutures.
- Pat dry your hair and scalp gently. Do not rub vigorously.
- No tub baths, swimming pools, or Jacuzzis until your incisions have healed completely and you have been cleared by your surgeon.
Physical activity
- Most patients can resume light daily activities within 7 to 10 days, depending on their body’s natural healing process. However, it is important to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, or other rigorous activities for at least 2–3 weeks to prevent strain on the treated areas.
- You may return to work after 2 to 3 weeks if you feel ready and if your surgeon approves. If your job involves manual labor, meeting people, or being outdoors, you may need additional time off work as you wait for the swelling and bruising on your face to settle. Consider getting back to work part-time and gradually increasing your hours as you feel comfortable.
- You can resume your normal exercise after 3 to 4 weeks, depending on your healing and your surgeon’s guidelines. It is best to start easy and build up to your previous activity level. You will notice that some swelling or bruising worsens with exercise, so avoid overexertion to protect the treated areas during the early recovery period.
Call your doctor’s office if you notice unusual symptoms, changes in facial features, or experience sensations that do not feel normal. A healthcare provider can assess these symptoms, prevent any complications, and ensure proper healing.
Conditions that require emergency care
Call 911 immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Intense pain that does not get better with pain medications
- Increased or sudden onset of swelling on your face or neck
- Redness or warmth on the incision site
- Excessive drainage on dressings
- New or worsening facial asymmetry or a lump that increases in size
- Incisions that appear to be opening
- Bleeding that does not stop with pressure
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Allergic reaction, such as rash or itching
- Temperature above 101.8°F
- Shakes and chills
- Breathing issues
Timely medical attention plays a crucial role in minimizing complications and leads to a smooth recovery.