How Long Until Swelling Is 100% Gone After Face Lift? Doctor Answers, Tips
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How Long Until Swelling Is 100% Gone After Face Lift?

I am 54 yo lady. I have done my face lift, eyes & neck in October last year and already 3 months now. All going good. I am satisfied and happy with the results. Just I still have a bit swollen/puffy on my cheeks (bottom). My question is: For how long does swollen will be gone and normal again?... Thanks for answer. Mrs HO Australia.

36 Doctor Answers | Asked by ZY in Australia
+7

End Date For Facelit Swelling. How long does it take to be 100% there?

I tell my patients the following.  Most look ok and can get back to work and play at 2 weeks but they will need to accept the fact that confidentiality is not possible at 2 weeks.   Dont plan for the annual photo for at least 3 or 4 months but then most look fine.   Swelling is quick to dissipate 60 % in the first 2 weeks but then the long wait begins.   Avoiding salt and sleeping with head elevated helps.  Occasionally I recommend diuretics for a... more
+4

How Long Until Swelling Is 100% Gone After Face Lift?

The answer will be different for everyone, but it would not be uncommon for you to still have some swelling at 3 months after a Facelift. Swelling disappears gradually over time, and for many patients will not be totally resolved for 6 to 12 months. This is true for all surgeries, not just face lifts.
+4

Swelling after a Facelift-Depends on What was done !

With most Facelift techniques including those which alter the  SMAS, most of the swelling is gone after 3 months , however, if you had a deeper layer or had a Mid-Facelift via the lower eyelid and cheek area, it may be prolonged for several more months.  In general, you will see more prolonged swelling if you manipulate the central face or cheek area .  The swelling will go away with over the next 3 months . In my patients, I need to have them back to work in... more

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+4

Swelling after facelift

Swelling, to a minor degree, is resolving for up to one year, in my experience, perhaps longer.  Delayed re-establishment of lymphatic drainage, in my opinion, is responsible for this.
+4

Swelling after a facelift

At three months after a facelift, msot of the swelling should be resolving, but like you said there is still some residual swelling wh\ich may take 6 months to a year to improve.
+3

Be careful what you wish for

6 months for complete resolution in most cases. but don't worry you can use fillers to get that puffy look back. I'm only half kidding. good luck.
+3

Swelling Dissipates at Different Rates But...

Swelling after a facelift is different for every patient; it's a bell shaped curve but typically, it lasts up to 6 months.  Don't be suprosed for 100% of the swelling to last up to one year.
+3

Swelling after a Facelift

Great question and I think no one really knows the answer. In our practice for all intents and purposes we think in terms of three months before swelling is gone and we are able to either re-operate or call it a day and take postop photos. That does not mean however that if you looked under the microscope there would not be some swelling present in the tissues – there would be. This particularly true for areas like the nose or even secondary procedures where swelling takes longer... more
+3

Sweling after a Facelift

It generally takes are least 6 months for all the swelling to go away after a facelift. However, everyone heals differently and it could take a longer or a shorter amount of time.  I generally wait to take post op photos for 6 months for this reason, so that we see the true results of the lift in the before and after photos.  The link below will lead you to a patient video journey after facelift surgery. This highlights the recovery process. 
+3

Facelift swelling usually subsides within 3 months

In my extensive experience, the far majority of any visible swelling from a facelift resolves within 3-4 months. If you still feel you have fullness in areas of your face after that time period, I would discuss this with your surgeon. Andrew C. Campbell, M.D. Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon  
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