Facelift Recovery- A Sneak Peek into the Healing Process!
A lot of patients want to know how long recovery time might be after undergoing a Facelift. After all, a facelift IS major surgery, so patients can often be most nervous about their post-op recovery time. Don’t feel scared! Recovery from a facelift is quite manageable and patients are often pleasantly surprised at how quickly and easily the recovery can be.
While every patient is surely different and heals in unique ways, on the average, most patients feel comfortable presenting themselves to the public in casual situations (going to the grocery store, etc) in about two weeks. We always tell patient that if they have a major social event (going to a wedding) or a major business presentation, they should give about a month before that schedule something like that. While swelling will start to lessen week by week, it can take a few months for feelings of tightness or numbness to fully reduce – this is important to keep in mind if planning the surgery around a special function or event that might be coming up in your life.
Again, the recovery time will of course be different for each patient. However, avoiding blood thinners before and after surgery, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting ample rest and not overexerting the body can all contribute to the ease of recovery. Another influence on your recovery time can be attributed to the skill of the surgeon. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to interview multiple surgeons before you make your final decision- meeting with a few surgeons not only allows you to see who you best connect with, but it’s also an opportunity to learn about the surgical techniques that will be employed during the procedure. Many patients in Pittsburgh combine their facelift procedure with other procedures such as blepharoplasty and sometimes even rhinoplasty. Dr. Leong has generally not found that adding these procedures substantially prolongs their recovery beyond what was described above.
Wondering if it’s the right time for you to pursue your Face Lift research? Want to know if you’re a good candidate for the procedure? Please call our Patient Care Coordinator at 412.621.3223 or email us at [email protected] to learn more and schedule your next appointment today!
