Facelift: Q&A

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Downtime for Full Facelift?

I often read that it takes 10 days to recover from a face lift but I don't know if that includes upper and lower blephs plus browlift, which people often have at the same time. I'd like to know how long to budget in a general way even as you need to add the disclaimer that everyone is different, we all heal at different rates. If it helps I am a 45 woman basically in good health, some asthma and allergies, of Caucaision and African-American descent.

48 Doctor Answers | Asked by Dlite in California
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Recovery After Full Face Lift with Eyelid Blepharoplasty and Brow Lift

Hi Dlite, Recovery after face lift surgery varies on the specific type of face lift you had, and your body's natural healing ability. Mini lifts (short scar or minimal access) have a faster recovery than traditional face lifts or full face lifts. Generally, most swelling and bruising after facial cosmetic surgery (mini face lift) resolve within a couple weeks. Plan for at least 2 weeks of recovery, especially when combined with upper eyelid surgery, lower blepharoplasty, and... more
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Recovery Time After Facelift

Hi Dlite- If you don't tend to bruise easily, most people can return to work at two weeks. Folks who work in the public eye may want to wait three weeks. Adding eyelid surgery and brow surgery shouldn't add recovery time. Make-up can be worn to cover any residual bruising. There will be some swelling that will take a few weeks to subside. Add a week if you tend to bruise and consider using Sinech. Sincerely Tom Kaniff
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Face Lift Recovery Time

I tell my patients to expect about 7-10 days for physical recovery and about 2 weeks of social or public eye recovery. Your dressings are removed at 24-48 hours. The sutures are removed at 5-7 days. You are able to move about the house during your recovery. This includes eating, bathroom, watching TV or reading a book. We ask that you do nothing strenuous during the this period. After 2-3 weeks, we have a massage therapist perform ultrasonis massage on your face and neck over  3-4 weeks... more

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+2

Downtime for a Facelift

As a general rule, the more procedures one has done at the same time, the greater the chance that an increase in bruising and swelling will occur, and thus a little longer healing time.  For a lower facelift in someone your age, 10 days is generally enough time to heal and be back out in public, but not to full activity like exercising, etc.  Some patients will be able to go out in public looking quite good in 1 week, but plan on 10 days to be safe. ... more
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Recovery from facelift.

Recovery from a facelift can be described in several ways.  The most common concern is getting back in the public eye and/or returning to work.  You will feel well enough to go to the store several days after your surgery.  Depending on your job it may be ten days to three weeks before you have confidence in the work place.  Women can cover up a bit with make-up.  A man wearing make-up looks like a man wearing make-up.  Surgery of the eyes done at the same time... more
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Recovery after a lift

Recovery after a lift varies a great deal but at least 50% are able to be out and about with make-up at 1 week and ~ 95% by 2 weeks
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Downtime for a Full Facelit?

Downtime for a full facelift is roughly two weeks before you can look presentable in public. At 2 weeks, you can still have some bruising and swelling and may even still have some sutures in place, but with makeup, you should be presentable in public.
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Facelift Downtime

I tell patients that they need 7-10 days to recover from a facelift on average. Bruising is the most unpredictable factor...some patients bruise for 5-7 days and others bruise for 3 weeks. If you know you bruise easily, give yourself 2 weeks with the expectation that you may be using some makeup to hide the mild bruising that may remain. The first week of recovery I call medical recovery because we would like for you to remain on certain restrictions. The second week... more
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Recovery from a full facelift?

How long does it take to recover from a full facelift? That is a good question that no one knows the answer to since no one can really say what a full facelift is. To some doctors, this means upper and lower eyelid surgery, and perhaps even a browlift as well. Certainly because of your age you will likely heal sooner than most. But if the eyes and forehead are done, this will increase swelling somewhat compared to a facelift alone.
+1

My patients go back to work within 10 days, but you need to ask your surgeon

The recovery times from the operations are variable depending the extent of the facelift, necklift, blepharoplasty and browlift. It depends on your surgeon as well as what he or she has to do for you. It is best to ask your plastic surgeon as they would know best what their typical recuperation period will be. For my patients, most go back to their social and work activity within 10 days. see video
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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

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