What to Expect When Recovering from a Facelift

Recovery from a facelift begins the moment the patient is wheeled from the operating room to the recovery room. While in the recovery room, the effects of local or general anesthesia should begin to wear off and the patient may wake up feeling cold, nauseated or disoriented. These are normal effects of anesthesia and are generally nothing to be concerned about.

Nursing staff should be available to provide anti-nausea medication and a warm blanket if these are needed. The feelings of confusion and disorientation will pass on their own. If the facelift is performed as an outpatient procedure, the patient will need a ride home, as they would not yet be cleared for driving.

A large, loose-fitting dressing is applied to the face immediately after surgery and remains in place for approximately one day. After that, it is replaced with an elastic wrap, which is changed frequently until recovery is complete. In addition to the face being wrapped, there are also drainage tubes to collect any excess blood and help to reduce swelling. To aid in the process of getting dressed, patients are encouraged to wear only shirts that do not have to be pulled on over the head.

Initially, there is swelling, bruising and tenderness in the areas of the face that were operated on by the plastic surgeon, and the bruises may give the patient the appearance of having a black eye. Pain can be alleviated by taking paid medication at regular intervals. Some other sensations that may be present immediately after a facelift procedure are numbness and tightness in the tissues of the face as they heal into their new positions.

After the patient is cleared to go home, there are several things to do in order to facilitate healing. First and foremost, the patient needs to be extra gentle with their skin and avoid any vigorous scrubbing. They will not be permitted to wash their hair for the first two days, as the ingredients in the shampoo can irritate tender skin.

In addition to special care of the face, patients must take care to avoid alcohol, heavy lifting, saunas or steam rooms and any supplement that contains niacin, as they may interfere with swelling and fluid balance. They will also need to stay properly hydrated, avoid sodium and eat a balanced diet. When all of these measures are taken, the patient will enjoy a faster recovery and be able to enjoy the results of their facelift much sooner.