Facelift Q&A
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Downtime for Full Facelift?
asked 1 year ago by Dlite in California
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 1,613 times
Tags: age 45-54, female, allergy, downtime
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 answers to Downtime for Full Facelift?
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Recovery time after facelift
The recovery time for being presentable in public is usually 2 weeks, spiffy in 4.
Every patient is different, and the more procedures a patient has, the longer the potential recovery.
The term "full facelift" is really from our parent's age.
Modern facelifts are quite customized and different for each patient.
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Recovery after Facelift
You are correct in assuming that recovery times do vary depending on the patient and what is done. I tell my patients they will not want to be in public for one week after a facelift, blepharoplasty, and browlift. At that time sutures are removed and makeup can be applied. By two weeks most people are comfortable around friends and colleagues in the work environment. Strenuous activities are restricted for the first month after surgery.
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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
+2
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...
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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...
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Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
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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.
Robert Heck, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
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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...
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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.
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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
+1
Facelift Recovery Times
Recovery time is best to consider in terms of "Social Downtime" and "Physical Downtime."
Social Downtime is when do you feel about getting back into your routine, errands around the house, and shopping. For a Small lift or minilift, this can be 1 to 4 days, and for a Medium lift (with platysmaplasy) it can be 2-5 days. A traditional facelift social downtime can range from 2 to 7 days depending on your surgeon.
Physical Downtime refers to when you look...
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Richard Castellano, MD
Tampa Facial Plastic Surgeon
Tampa Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Facelift Recovery Downtime
This depends on both the patient’s ability to heal and the surgical technique utilized. Our technique and approach is what most people commonly refer to as a SMAS facelift, in which the muscle layer under the skin is also tightened. This approach gives very long-lasting results, however when we manipulate and tighten this tissue, there is bound to be some minimal but noticeable swelling. Sutures are removed one week after surgery, and at that point the swelling starts to diminish, and...
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Manu Gujrati, MD
San Jose Facial Plastic Surgeon
San Jose Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Face Lift Recovery
I have performed Facelifts for 18 years and in general I see it take 10-14 days for my patients to recover enough to get out the door with some make-up on without looking too bad. If you want to look great then it will most likely take about 4 weeks. Although there is more bruising when I perform a lower facelift in combination with forehead/midface lifting and eyelids, the recovery time is essentially still 10-14 days in most cases. There will still be mild underlying...
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Best to plan 2 weeks for recovery after Facelift, Blepharoplasty and Brow Lift
The time it takes to recover from a Facelift, Brow Lift and Blepharoplasty varies greatly and is dependant on your skin health and most importantly the skill of your surgeon. It is most important that you find an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who does many Facelifts.
Generally the recovery involves the time it takes for bruising and swelling to resolve to a point where you are comfortable enough with the way you look to be seen in public or at work.
Most patients are...
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+1
Downtime for Full Facelift?
It usually takes at least 2 weeeks be presentable. It does vary with patients. Some recover very fast while others take longer. Swelling slowly resolves and may take several months, however, after first 3-4 weeks, majority of these are gone.
+1
Down time for facelift
Most of the bruising and swelling is down at about 2 weeks. However, your final result will take several more weeks to see. You are right in that everyone is different, so I would use this as an estimate. If you need an exact number of days because you have a public appearance or event to attend and are trying to plan your surgery a week or two before it - you might want to wait until after your event to have your surgery.
Dr. Cat Begovic M.D.
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Catherine Huang-Begovic, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
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Downtime for full facelift
With regards to a facelift, most visible swelling subsides within 2 weeks after the surgery. Patients are able to go out socially and back to work at 2 weeks. It will not be any sooner. Full healing of a facelift will take 2-3 months where all the incisions have completely settled down and all residual swelling is resolved completely in the face, neck, and chin area and the incisions have turned to a fine little white line.
+1
Facelift recovery
Depending on the extent of facelift surgery being done planning for a recovery time (time off from work, etc.) of 10-14 is usually appropriate.
You're not totally healed by then but usually the swelling and bruising has come down significantly which would allow for a return to work or more normal activities (though I'd hold off on strenuous activity for 3 weeks).
+1
Recovery from facelift varies
With modern techniques the recovery time from full facelift surgery is much faster than it used to be. However, do not be misled by advertising claims that promise a weekend recovery. Including a browlift and eyelid surgery will add swelling around the eyes which will prolong the receovery. My personal opinion is that the use of tissue glue halps avoid a lot of the bruising and swelling. Wwe tell our patients that sometime during the second week they will be far enough along to appear in...
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+1
Facelift Recovery Time: Physical Recovery Vs. Cosmetic Recovery
When I discuss recovery time with my patients, I emphasize the difference between physical recovery (returning to normal activities) and cosmetic recovery (returning to looking good, or feeling comfortable being seen in public). In general as you add more procedures you will have more bruising and swelling which will add more time to the cosmetic recovery.
Physical Recovery
you should be able to return to light household activities after a few days
you can resume light...
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Recovery from Facelift Surgery
After facelift surgery, you are usually able to return to your normal activities about about 8 days. At this point, much of the swelling has resolved, the sutures are removed and, as long as your hair can cover the incisions, you will be able to return to work without much problem. If you are also having belpharoplasty and/or laser resurfacing or other procedures at the same time, then you may require a little longer for recovery. I usually recommend patients to take two...
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Down time is dependent on the surgeon and the technique
Surgeon techniques and experience can drastically affect down times. In our practice, the first thing we do is optimize the patient. This includes a full history and physical and examination of all the medications that the patient is on. Most patients take supplements and vitamins which may need to be stopped to minimize bruising and swelling. Secondly, the patient is initiated on specific vitamins to improve healing and minimize swelling and bruising. Finally,...
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Downtime for Full Facelift
I normally tell my patients that they will be presentable in public in two weeks after a Facelift but will need to use a little makeup to cover any residual bruising and incisions. However, it really takes 6 weeks to heal form any surgery and your face will continue to evolve for a year. You are correct that different people take different times and this is influenced by age and genetics.
Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon
Houston Plastic Surgeon
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Recovery after Facelift
As you stated the basic disclaimer always made is that everyone heals at a different rate. With this said two weeks should be a good median statement of healing. I do many patients with the multiple procedures you mentioned and many will go back into public within a week. If they are a high profile individual who will be on camera or viewed and critiqued by the public I always tell them three weeks. I hope this is helpful to you. It is helpful during the consulting phase to see many patients...
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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...
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+1
Everyone is different
Although everyone is different. I tell my patients that they will be bruised and swollen for about 14 days, and then will be able to be seen in public without too much distress. Subsequently with a combination of ultrasound and gentle massage the majority of swelling will be gone by 3 months. Hope this helps.
Ritu Chopra, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1
Recovery from full facelift
After a full facelift, which ususally includes brow, face and neck lift, I tell my patients that they will be swollen and bruised for 1-2 weeks. After 2 weeks, any residual bruising can be covered up with makeup. After 3 weeks, all bruising should be gone. Make sure your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Samer W. Cabbabe, M.D.
Board - Certified Plastic Surgeon
St. Louis Plastic Surgery Consultants
Samer W. Cabbabe, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon
+1
Facelift recovery averages 1-2 weeks
Depending on the exact type of procedure performed, type of anesthesia, and, sadly, genes & luck, bruising at 1 week after a full facelift may be minimal, or may be severe, needing a 2nd week of social downtime.
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Camara ready after facelift
The definition of a "full face lift" depends on the board certified plastic surgeon you are going to. In my office we include the neck and mid-face as a full face lift. We do the upper and lower eyelids or forehead lift , if indicated, at the same time. The forehead lift can be done at the same time, however, I generally do the forehead and eyelids at separate times. The beauty of working in front of a camera is that make-up and hair-dos can cover a collection...
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Jon Sattler, MD
Glendora Plastic Surgeon
Glendora Plastic Surgeon
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Estimating recovery after facelift
After a full facelift it is possible for many to go back to work after a week, though some are more sensitive about appearance and may with to off for two. Upper and lower eyelid rejuvenation will push recovery longer as the facelift incision is easily concealed, the lids are not. Unless tinted glasses are the norm in your office, plan on two weeks to pass scrutincy.
Best of luck,
peterejohnsonmd
Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
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Recovery after facelift and eye rejuvenation surgery
A facelift can mean different things to different surgeons. Depending on the type of facelift procedure and exact techniques utilized, 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)...
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+1
Facelift Recovery
The only way to know this is with a consult. Once you decide what you need as part of a “full Facelift,” you can ask the surgeon. Depending on who that surgeon is and their technique, the answer will be different. I use a modification of the MACS Lift. With face and neck only, we generally return everyone to normal social activities within 4-7 days with a little camouflage make-up to hide the bruising that can last up to 2-3 weeks. Lower Blepharoplasty slows the recovery the most...
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Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon
Highlands Plastic Surgeon
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Recovery after a "full" facelift
When my patients ask about recovery time, they usually mean how long until they look natural or non-operated. Although every patient is different, there are a number of factors that can help speed up your recovery. Being only 45 years old and in good health definitely is in your favour. I also recommend that my patients take Arnica Montana and Bromelain nutritional supplements starting one week before the procedure. This may help reduce swelling and bruising after surgery. Most of my...
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Gregory J. Vipond, MD
Pasadena Facial Plastic Surgeon
Pasadena Facial Plastic Surgeon
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Recovery after a full facelift
Facelift is a generic term and need to discuss with your surgeon what he personally means when he recommends a "full facelift". This is like saying I'm buying a car, but do not specify if it's a Toyota or Mercedes.Facelift surgery evolved, especially in the last 20 years. I don't even like to call the operation a facelift, a more descriptive term would be facial rejuvenation. One can do skin only full facelift, SMAS lift, imbrication, resection, deep plane facelift,...
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+1
Recovery Time after a facelift
While every patient is different, in general I ask patients to set aside a couple of weeks for their recovery after a facelift, whether or not they include a browlift or eyelid procedure. Most patients feel very well within a week or so, but it takes about 7-10 for any bruising to resolve and the swelling can take a few weeks longer to settle. Most patients however feel ready to go back to work, out, etc at about 10-14 days after the procedure.
Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
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Face Lift, Beverly Hills Face Lift, Local Face Lift, Radiesse, perlane, Cheek Implants
I have performed Face Lifts for over 20 years and don't perform Brow Lifts along with Full Face Lifts because of the area of tissue dissection that required: across the entire forehead, face and neck. This leaves very little area for blood supply to heal the skin flaps along the lower section of the Face Lift. I typically will perform the full Face Lift, Neck Lift with or without the Bleharoplasty (eyelid Surgery) and save the Browlift for another time at 6-12 months later...
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+1
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. ...
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+1
Recovery for facelift and eyebrow lift, etc.
I tell patients to count on 2-3 weeks. In 35 years of facelifting I have had patients who could go out socially in 1 week but that is the exception.
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Facelift Recovery Time
I tell my patients that the first 7 days don't plan on seeing anyone. Around day 14 most patients are going out to lunch, to the store, etc, without anyone looking at them "weird". By week three, swelling and bruising should be a memory.
Rafael C. Cabrera, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
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Recovery after facelift
The surgical procedure used to rejuvenate the face and neck will have alot to do with the length of your recovery. I tell my patients to allow 10-14 days to return to work or social activities. For woman make up can help shorten this time frame. Speak with your surgeon about the techniques used and their typical recovery. Good luck and I hope this was helpful
+1
Full facelift down-time
Although we've learned a lot about wound healing, we have no credible way to "heal faster" at this time. As a rule of thumb, I tell my patients that 7-10 days may allow you a grocery store run without scaring the bag boy. If you have an event (wedding, graduation, etc.) give yourself 4-6 weeks. Granted, at 3-4 weeks most, if not all, bruising is gone. However, your body has just begun to "soften" the operated areas at this time and some areas...
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Ricardo Izquierdo, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Your genetics will have a lot to do with your recovery.
You mentioned that your were of African-American and Caucasian descent.
This will have some importance in your recovery and the location of your incisions.
In patients who have darker skin types we work very hard to do the lift both facial and forehead with hair on both sides of the final closure. This decreases the chances of both Keloid and hypertrophic scar. We especially limit the tension along the incision in the area inside and in front of the ear to help in the...
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Time to heal after face lift surgery
I believe that it is possible to "go to the Ball" with careful makeup in the third week after face/neck and eyelid lifts. Full resolution of all evidence of surgery takes much longer. More extensive procedures just take longer for optimal results.
H. Michael Roark, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1
Recovery after comprehensive facial rejuvenation
Just as you have planned, combining facelift with browlift and blepharoplasty is common in our practice.10 days is "best case scenario" territory - I like to prepare my patients for a more realistic 2 weeks. And even then, there are commonly signs of a recent procedure requiring some camouflage (hair, make-up etc) - so do not plan important social events that early. And remember, recovery is a process not an event...
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Facelift Recovery
Your research is accurate about the general 10 day rule. However, recovery is nuanced depending on the extent of the procedure, the physical and psychological profile of the individual patient, and adherence to instructions. Most patient feel fine physically after three or four days, and I have had patients who aren't concerned about the social repercussions of going to work with bruising and stitches do so (for example my Office Manager). On the other hand, most...
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Downtime for Full Facelift?
I disagree as the length of recovery in my practice for a "full" facelift is 3 yo 4 weeks. Vs a mini lift is 7 to 10 days. Ask your chosen surgeon to speak to other "full" lift patients and ask the COMPLETE length of time to full recovery. From MIAMI
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Downtime for Full Facelift?
Dear Dlite, I tell my patients to take 10-14 days off when they are having a face, brow, necklift and blepharoplasty. Some patients will look great with minimal swelling at a week, some need the full 2 weeks. 10 days is roughly in the middle, and you should be well on your way to being acceptably healed to return to work. Vigorous exercise should wait 4 weeks, but mild to moderate exercise can resume at 2 weeks. Good luck!
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Facelift Recovery Time
Your question is an excellent one - depending on the exact procedures you have done, your recovery time may vary. If you plan to have a lower facelift, a brow lift, and upper and lower blepharoplasties, I generally tell my patients to take between 10-14 days off. However, I recommend 3 full weeks before strenuous exercise or other heavy physical activity. After facelifts, some patients return to work within 7-10 days depending on how quickly they heal and the type of work they do...
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Jen Yuan Chow, MD
Pasadena Facial Plastic Surgeon
Pasadena Facial Plastic Surgeon
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