Depending on whether you have undergone a mini-facelift or a traditional facelift, the location and visibility of the sutures will vary. Even so, you can expect to wear bandages and a compression bandage for the next few days. You may even have a drainage tube placed to remove excess blood and fluid. If you can see beyond the head bandages and the initial swelling, you'll start to see an exciting preview of the final results of the facelift.
Be prepared to have a family member or friend look after you for the first night and carefully follow all post-operative instructions (such as eating soft foods, sleeping on your back, and keeping surgical sites dry).
At The Center for Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Teresa Cunningham, a board-certified plastic surgeon, and Dr. Matthew Freeman, a plastic surgeon who qualifies for the board, specialize in plastic surgery
of the face, breasts and body.Options include a mini facelift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck and makeup surgery for moms. With locations in Denver and Golden, they serve all of Colorado, including Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Vail. The third and fourth week after facelift surgery is also when most patients can return to their daily activities and exercise regime. Any external signs of your procedure are easily hidden with makeup or hats.
The incision sites may still look slightly pink, but this will go away with each passing week. Patients should use a sun protection factor of 30 or more when outdoors to prevent pigmentation from darkening in scars. I still get goosebumps when I see a patient looking their best at the front desk. The puffiness is gone and the benefits of personalized prescription skincare are there in sight.
Most of the feelings have returned and the rest will continue to come to life for the next few weeks and months. In 99% of cases, the scars are now invisible and you can wear your hair tied back. You may have forgotten that you had a facelift—in fact, you'll have forgotten what you were like before. Your new self is your true self, and with that you regain visibility and trust.
Days 15 to 30: “Depending on the patient, the procedures you have performed with your facelift, such as blepharoplasty, and your individual healing process, the sutures from facelift surgery are usually removed at the end of the first to the third week, says Dr. In weeks 3 and 4, you may still have some residual swelling and stiffness, but for the most part, you'll start to look and feel much better. Days 4 to 7: “Many patients take a major turn at the end of the first week after facelift surgery,” says Dr. By the end of the second week after facelift surgery, most patients start to feel like themselves again. Bruising and swelling usually peak around the third and fourth day after facelift surgery, but expect them to last for several weeks before they completely disappear.
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions about activity patterns and when you can return to work, most likely two to three weeks after surgery. Bruising and swelling usually peak around the third and fourth day, but both are likely to remain present for several more weeks. The removal of the sutures can occur between the end of the first week and the third week, and depends on the particular procedure being performed and the healing process. By the end of the second week after surgery, many people feel like themselves and are ready to return to work and begin light activities, such as walking.
The sutures are also usually removed about a week after surgery, depending on how the patient is healing. Many patients also plan to return to work during or after the second week after facelift surgery, as any residual bruise is easily covered with makeup and swelling is significantly reduced.
