What happens on the day of a facelift?
On the day of your facelift, you will check in at our facility. We will take you to our private operating room, where your face cleaned and sterilized. You will be placed under general anesthesia while your chosen operation(s) are performed. The exact length of your operation(s) will depend on how many procedures are performed.
Common procedures involve a lifting of the skin from the underlying facial structure, filling, removal or repositioning of facial fat, a tightening of the facial skin and insertion of sutures to promote proper healing. The goals of your chosen treatment will be to obtain a more youthful appearance by a tightening of your facial features. While avoiding an unnatural look or appearing like you have had work done.
When you are brought out of anesthesia, you can expect to feel slightly disoriented as the effects of anesthesia wear off. Your surgeon will bandage your face and you may have drainage tubes inserted to promote the drainage of fluid buildup. Be sure you have a close friend or family member nearby for the first few days to look after you.
How long is recovery?
Facelifts are surgical procedures and, as with any surgery, you can expect some downtime after your facelift. Throughout the course of your recovery, be sure to strictly follow your Seattle plastic surgeon’s recovery instructions. Schedule follow-up appointments if you believe anything may need to be looked at or discussed. While healing, be especially gentle with your face, hair and any incision areas. Incision marks will continue to fade over time and easily hidden beneath most hairstyles.
Immediately After
After the first day, you should plan on having a follow up appointment to have your incisions checked and to ensure there are no complications that need addressed. Your Seattle plastic surgeon will replace your bandages with fresh ones and send you on your way after ensuring there are no complications.
First Few Weeks
For the rest of your first week post-operation, you can expect some swelling. Some, but not all, patients may bruise, depending on their bodies’ individual healing methods. Most patients report the most significant swelling and bruising on days three and four. As your swelling goes down and the bruising begins to disappear, you will begin to notice the positive changes from your Seattle facelift. Continue to take any medications as prescribed for discomfort.
During the second week post-operation, you should see your swelling and bruising decrease even further. Many patients report some numbness, tingling and tightness during this time period. These are common side effects and should not be cause for concern. After the second week, most patients begin to feel like themselves again, ready to return to light work duties and resume light physical activities.
