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Facelift Cost ≈ $12,100 average cost

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Facelift Recovery

Thinking about a facelift, but concerned about taking time off work. When can I go in public without looking like a freak (or like I just had facelift surgery!)?

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downtime healing recovery

Going in public after a facelift

For most patients having a facelift and ancillary procedures (i.e. cheeklift, laser resurfacing, subcutaneous browlifts, upper and lower eyelids) the recovery times are 2 weeks for looking OK, not great. That generally means makeup is necessary. Patients usually feel comfortable at major functions or appearances at speaking engagements or on camera after 4 weeks. For a straightforward facelift only performed by an expert facelift surgeon, the recovery time is typically 10 days for public... more

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Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Facelift Recovery

After a complete facelift, I recommend 10-14 days for initial recovery. Make-up will be necessary, but you can participate in non-strenuous activties without sharing the surgery with friends or colleagues.

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Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Recovery from facelift takes many forms

Recovery from a facelift takes many forms. Physical recovery. Social Recovery. Recovery of sensation. Because it is your face, the interruption in social activities is often the hardest part of the recovery. Pain: Most patients have only mild pain after a facelift and it is usually gone in one or two days. I give only Tylenol #3 since stronger medications are not needed. Driving: I allow patients to drive after 4 days if they are off pain meds. Before this, some mild neck... more

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David L. Mobley, MD

Sarasota Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

How long is the recovery for a face lift?

The short answer is: two weeks. After two weeks, most of the bruising and swelling has resolved, and makeup can cover the scars fairly well. Obviously, the more extensive the operation, the longer the recovery. Facelift patients don't experience significant pain, and most stop taking narcotic pain medication after three to five days. The sutures are removed within a week, and patients may wash their hair and apply makeup after three days.

Maurice M. Khosh, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelift recovery takes 2 weeks after surgery

My first answer to this question is another question: what is your tolerance for being seen with some degree of bruising? If you have anxiety about being seen in the early postoperative phase, my answer is 2 weeks. However, I have patients who work from home, and some who are less concerned about being seen in public. Generally, the latter group can be out and about in 4-5 days (best case scenario). This being said, some patients have a less smooth recovery due to anesthesia or other... more

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Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelift recovery depends on the type of facelift.

In today's world of plastic surgery there are different degrees of facelifting. It also depends upon how you wear you hair. If you only need a facelift limited to incisions around the ear and the central neck compartment is not entered then you can be presentable in 2-3 days with your hair worn in such a way to cover your suture lines. With more complete facelifts in which the central neck compartment in entered and combined with a lateral approach, the bruising is more significant. I... more

Edward Buckingham, MD

Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon

What Do You Consider a "Freak"?

The answer is not that easy. The biggest problem after any type of surgery is the amount of bruising and swelling that occurs. While certain things can be done to minimize bruising and swelling, there is no way to predict what may happen. While patients can go out into public in 2-3 days after facelift surgery, there will be stitches in place and likely some amount of bruising and swelling. For most patients, 2 week is enough time to recover. At this point, make up may be necessary to cover... more

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D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelifts are variable

There is not a standard facelift since there are different techniques and aspects to this generic procedure. Ingeneral, most bruising should be minimal enough to cover with make up 7-10 days post-op. Swelling is more variable. The more that is done higher up ( forehead, eyes, cheeks) the longer the swelling should last compared to lower face and neck. Most of the time, I tell patients they can go out in public within 7-10 days since all stitches shold be out by then and they can wear... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Going out after facelift

I usually tell my patients that if they are going to be in a “high profile” situation – such as a wedding – to allow themselves a full six weeks for healing prior to the event. Otherwise, my patients seem to feel comfortable with their appearance at about two weeks.

George John Alexander, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Face lift recovery

Recovery from a facelift can vary tremendously , but in general you can look socially acceptable after seven to ten days. You will not feel totally normal for six weeks. Back to work ( depending on what you do, i.e. no heavy lifting) is about two weeks.It's easier for a woman because they can wear make-up. Wishing you the best, Tal Raine MD FACS

Talmage J. Raine, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Facelift Recovery

Every patient heals differently. My patients typically take 10-14 days off for recovery from a facelift. There may be a little swelling at this point but not enough so that most patients woul be uncomfortable in public. Best wishes!

Michael Sullivan, MD

Columbus Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelift recovery is not as bad as you think

Two weeks for most of bruising to resolve and all sutures removed. One month of no heavy lifting and straining. Most of the swelling is gone in the first month, but residual swelling can take a few more months to settle. The less active one is after surgery, the faster the swelling seems to resolve. Patient's usually do not have pain, but more of a "tight" sensation that relaxes somewhat over the coming months.

Anand D. Patel, MD

Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon

Recovery From a Facelift

Depending on the type of facelift procedure, I recommend that my patients take off at least 1 week from work/social engagements. There may be some mild bruising which can be easily covered up by mineral based foundation makeup. Most of my patients are able to go back to work 1-2 weeks post surgery. I clear my face lift patients to resume activity as tolerated (strenuous activity or working out) approximately 3-4 weeks after surgery.

C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Recovery Time After a Facelift

There are several factors that come into play when answering this question. Mostly it depends on what kind of Facelift you are getting done. If you are just getting a lower Facelift usually the bruising will last only about a week or two and the incisions can be hidden by the hairline. If you are doing the eyes and brow as well it can take a few weeks to look better. It is always nice to consult with a makeup specialist or esthetician before your surgery to help with... more

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Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Recovery from Facelift

This is a very individual question. Some people bruise and swell more than others. The short end of the spectrum is probably one week. If a patient swells and bruises, recovery could extend beyond two weeks. It is important for any patient to properly prepare themselves for surgery. Avoid blood thinners such as aspirin and ibuprofen Stop most herbal products and vitamin E before surgery Consider a good skin exfoliation program 4-6 weeks before surgery to... more

Brian Maloney, MD

Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon

Recovery after a facelift

Recovery after a facelift depends on the type of surgery performed. More extensive lifts may cause more bruising or swelling. Expect to return to normal daily activity after 5-7 days. 2 weeks after a facelift, you can start working out again. Most patients can get back to their normal social activities at 2-3 weeks. I use homeopathic treatment, herbal remedies such as arnica, and special cooling masks to expedite recovery which my patients love and appreciate.

Etai Funk, MD

Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelift downtime?

You should be able to return to normal life activity within 2-3 days. Returning back to work with makeup should be possible within a week. You should look pretty normal and not "freaky" within 7-8 days. Things you can do to minimize bruising... Minimize alcohol for a week before and after surgery Ask your surgeon for an Aqua-Cool -It is a mask that pumps 50 degree Farenheit water constantly to your face. It really works awesome. PreOperative and p more

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Raghu Athre, MD

Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

Recovery allows you to resume social activities 2 weeks

Most patients are able to return to work and social activities two weeks after a facelift. On a rare occasion, a small bruise can persist longer than that, but can be concealed with makeup. For women, hairstyles should cover the ears, and a turtleneck or scarf can be worn to cover up any neck swelling and bruising. Men sometimes grow a beard to cover up the incisions around the ears for the first couple of months.

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William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelift recovery

Each surgeon is different and they all produce different results. But a meticulous surgeon who carefully stops all bleeding during surgery should have you looking great and very presentable within 2 weeks of surgery.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Length of recovery after facelift surgery

The length of your recovery is directly related to the extensiveness of the procedure performed. For a traditional facelift, which involves manipulation of the fatty/muscle layer below the skin, as well as generous lifting and tightening of the skin, most patients are able to go in public 2 weeks after surgery, but camouflage makeup is almost always required. After three weeks, the vast majority of patients have experienced resolution of enough bruising and swelling to feel comfortable in... more

Sam Jejurikar, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

2 weeks

Although there are variations in facelift techniques, generally swelling which is obvious to the general public and bruising resolve by 10 days to 2 weeks.The surgical procedure is easy to recover from as the manipulation is done in a small area and most of the area operated on has decreased sensation making post operative pain minimal.Women have the advantage of applying makeup which can enhance your recovery time and camouflage any persistent bruising or visible scars in the early recovery... more

Robert W. Kessler, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Depends on the facelift surgery and the support

Face lift is a generic term and covers a wide variety of possibilities. Patients will be back much more quickly if the office has an on site esthetician who can help the patient conceal the early recovery phase. Our less invasive patients are back within days with the help of concealers and even our most invasive are back in 9 days. The secret to quick recovery is a patient esthetician and a listening patient.

Nathan Mayl, MD

Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

With hair and sunglasses, you can go out 5 days after facelift

Dear Freakles Although the facelift is the most powerful facial cosmetic surgery, recovery is surprisingly fast. With proper technique, there is minimal bruising. Almost all the facelift stitches are out by a week. By draping the hair in front of the ears and wearing sunglasses, most patients are able to go out an about on day 5 or 6. WIthin a few days of that, one can go without the sunglasses. For demanding social situations we advise 3 weeks, 4 weeks for on camera work. The exception to... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Recovery from a facelift is different for each patient.

Some folk will look good in 2-3 days others may take 2-3 months, both of these are very unusual. I tell my patients plan on about 2-3 weeks. Usually by 3 weeks you will look better than you did before surgery. It is important that you limit your activity for at least 2 weeks to keep your blood pressure and pulse down to limit the risk of post operative bleeding, hematoma. After that you should be careful not to hit or bang your face for at least 6-8 weeks to allow for healing. The end result... more

Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD

Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

2 weeks social downtime after facelift

I advise my patients that after two weeks, with make-up and fashion, most patients are passable socially. If the eyelids are not part of the facelift, usually the social down time is only a few days. Bruising after facelift is usually minimal and most commonly in the neck that can be covered with a collar. The eyes are a focus of attention and even a little bruising and swelling is easily appreciated.