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While many people would like to have a facelift, one of the significant considerations is that of the recovery. Because of fears of a prolonged recovery time when one might look ‘distorted and abnormal’ or at the least bruised and swollen, some conclude that it is not possible from a lifestyle standpoint due to their work and social schedule.

While there certainly is some recovery after a facelift, it often is not as severe as one may think. To put what that means into perspective, it is important to clarify what a facelift is and what may or may not be done with it. First, a facelift does very little for 2/3s of the face, above the level of the mouth. A facelift is really a neck, or to be most accurate, a neck-jowl procedure. So done by itself, the swelling and bruising is limited to the lower part of the face and neck. Only if one has something like the eyes (blepharoplasty) done at the same time will there be any swelling and bruising around the eyes.

Facelifts come in different varieties or extent of the procedure. While facelifts have been branded by many plastic surgeons with different and exotic sounding names, there really are two main types, limited and full. They differ in the amount of dissection and how much skin and tissue is manipulated. The limited facelift (also known as the Lifestyle Lift and Quicklift) is more….limited and does not raise up all the tissues in the neck. As a result, there is less bruising and swelling and returning to work in one week is a real possibility. (not  a marketing fantasy) In full facelifts, in which other facial procedures are likely to be done, you can essentially double the recovery time to two weeks.

The good news about facelift recoveries is that they are not painful. There is actually very little discomfort afterwards with the exception of a little soreness around the ears. The reason there is little pain is because all facial and neck skin that has been raised is numb. The tiny little nerves that give feeling to the skin are cut and will take some time to grow back. (several months)

I do not impose any significant restrictions after facelift surgery. One can shower and wash their hair the next day. There is no concern about getting any of the incision lines or the dissolveable sutures wet. That will not cause an infection nor will it slow down any healing or cause more scarring.

Recovery after a facelift, while not completely insignificant, is not nearly as difficult as one might think. When many facial procedures are done at the same time with a facelift, this will change the magnitude of the recovery process extending the time period of bruising and swelling. (these would include such procedures as laser resurfacing, rhinoplasty, and midface lifts)  In these more extensive facial rejuvenation endeavors, think three weeks for a reasonable recovery time period.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana

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