FACE &
NECK LIFTS

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​​Going home after your facelift

• You may experience swelling and bruising following your face lift

• You may feel tightness when opening your mouth

• We may ask you to sleep upright for the first few days to keep swelling under control

• Stitches can be removed after 10 to 14 days

• At around four weeks you will be feeling more like your “normal” self

• However the full effect of a facelift may not be visible for 6 to 9 months after the procedure.

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What to expect after the operation

Following surgery, you will have a bandage over your head and neck area, covering all the wounds. Occasionally there is also a drain coming out from the back of the neck, this serves to drain away any excessive blood that might be accumulating. Any drains inserted will be removed the next day as long as the bleeding as stopped.

 

Swelling is a normal body response to surgery, and is to be expected. It can vary between patient-to-patient and side-to-side. It can increase within the first 2-3 days after surgery subsiding over the next 2-3 weeks. However some minor residual swelling can persist and fluctuates for 2-3 months. 

 

Bruising can also be seen in the second and third day, resolving within the first 2 weeks.   Thinning of hair can occasionally happen around the incision lines in the temple. It is advisable to avoid any makeup in the first 2 weeks. 

 

Numbness in your face, neck or ears is to be expected, and will gradually improve over the coming weeks. There might be unusual sensations or pins and needles while the nerves regenerate over time

 

Scars of the incision lines normally adopts a pink or red colour initially during healing. This will gradually fade over time, usually taking months to a year. 

 

Position

It is important to keep you head in an elevated position for the first two weeks. This means either sleeping upright or on a recline of 45°. Avoid rolling onto your face or lying on your side. 

 

Ice

Ice packs or cool damp wash cloths should be applied to the cheek and eyes areas. This will reduce the amount of bruising, pain and swelling. If no bandages are present, place a cloth on top of the skin before placing the ice packs, so as to protect the skin. Do it regularly in the first 24 hours, following a schedule of 20 mins on and 20 minutes off. 

 

Diet

A liquid diet is recommended for the first day. Soft diet of easily chewable food from the second day.

 

Activity

Stay up as much as possible during the first post-operative day. Walk around rather than stay in bed. However you should rest when tired.

Avoid bending over or lifting anything heavy.

Avoid turning your head or bending your neck.  You should try to move your head, neck and shoulder as one unit when you turn. 

 

Hair Care

You can start to wash your hair after the bulky dressing is removed. Allow the water to flow away from the suture lines. Avoid hot air dryers as the senstatoin around your ears and areas of incisions might still be lacking. 

 

Make up

Make-up should not be applied to any treated areas in the first two week, as they could delay wound healing or leave a permanent tattoo. 

 

Restrictions

For the first 2 weeks, please avoid: 

• Pull over clothing

• Hard chewing food

• Yawning or wide mouth opening

• Driving alone 

 

For the first 4 weeks, please avoid:

• Strenuous exercise 

• Heavy lifting 

• Head turning (learn to turn your head, neck and shoulder as one unit)

• Hair colouring 

 

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Please report any of the following:

Any bleeding that doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of direct proseure

Redness or infection

Temperature

Unusual drainage (pus) or pain

 

 

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How long do I have to be off work

We would recommend at least 2 weeks off, to allow for the majority of the swelling and bruising to have subsided to an acceptable degree. You may still have some isolated swelling or look a bit tight. Obviously this process varies between patients. You will look and feel much better 3 weeks after your face lift. 

 

Your healing will continue for the entire first year. Please be patient. Miss Cheang will follow you through this entire process. 

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Guide to stages of recovery from your facelift surgery​

Days 1 - 4

• Swelling is at its worst days 2 and 3 after surgery

• Sleep upright in bed supported by pillows. Icepacks will be soothing

• Wear any support garment as instructed

• Take things easy for now.

5 - 14 days

• Gradually increase your activity but nothing too strenuous

• Light housework and gentle walks are fine

• Stitches around the ear will be removed.

2 weeks

• Any remaining staples will be removed

• You can think About returning to work after two weeks

• Continue to Wear support garment at night.

4 weeks

• All the visible swelling and bruising should have gone by now

• Should be able to remove any support garment

• Restart any exercise you do.

6 - 9 months

• Scars will soften and fade

• Final result can begin to be judged.

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Complications of a facelift may include:

• Loss of skin or hair

• Developing a collection of blood under the skin

• Developing pale or dark areas on your face

• Damage to the facial nerve

• Cosmetic problems.