Facelift: Q&A
Ask a QuestionMy Face is Swollen After Deep Plane Facelift, When Will This And Bruising Subside? Worried About Returning To Work.
It's been 5 days since my facelift. My face is swollen and the chin area is swollen. And there is bruising. Brusing can be covered with makeup but not swelling. My plastic surgeon I could probably return to work in two weeks or maybe even sooner. He said that while I would be ready for "prime time" no one would really notice. I'm panicked because I'm reading the answers that my face will be swollen and bruised. I'll have to quit my job. I can't go back to work like this. Help!
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21 Doctor Answers |
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swollen_and_bruised
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Facelift - Swelling After Deep Plane Facelift
It typically takes several weeks for most of the swelling to subside, and several months for all of it. Five days post-op is just about the worst time to have to make a judgment on how long it will take for things to settle down but I understand your concerns with this. You need to, of course, speak with your surgeon about any of the specifics.
I usually tell my patients to plan on being out of work for 10-14 days, depending on exactly what they're having done. But...
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Face lift swelling 5 days later with bruising
5 days is still really early. At this point you likely have around 10% of your healing. We usually tell people that they will have 60% of their healing / recovery complete by 6 weeks, 80-90% by 6 months. 100% can take as long as 2 years. This is based on wound healing studies and tensile breaking strength of a heal wound.
The healing is actually a slower process that most people think but most of the healing will take place in a week and then one month. If you are swollen, steroids can...
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Facelift swelling is normal for up to 12 weeks
Most of my patients experience bruising and swelling for at least 4-8 weeks that is noticeable enough that they feel the need to camouflage and cover up. Between 8-12 weeks the signs are less noticeable, but some swelling still remains. To lesson your swelling AVOID any strenuous activity and bending over...and be patient, it will resolve soon enough.
Best of Luck, Dr. Clevens
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Swelling after face lift
At about 5 days out, you are at the peak of post-operative swelling. This is expected and normal, and will subside with time. I tell my patients not to schedule any big social events for the first month after a facelift.
You can help it by:
1) keeping your head elevated, during the day and at night
2) using warm compresses
3) some physicians like arnica and bromelain supplements, although the data on these is a little weak.
Check with your...
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5 days is a bit early to panic over bruising.
Presuming you have another 5 days or more. A lot of improvement will take place over the next 5 days or so. Ready for "Prime Time" no one is really ready for prime time 10 days after a facelift. We advise celebrity clients to put off TV appearances for at least 4 weeks and movie or photo sessions for 6 weeks. The camera will easily pick up traces of swelling. From most social situations that the average person will be dealing with, it really is...
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Deep plane facelift swelling may be more, but will resolve!
After only 5 days, any kind or type of facelift will cause swelling and varying degrees of bruising. By 2 weeks post-op, there will be substantial improvement, but each patient is individual in their amounts of initial swelling and bruising, as well as their body's abiity to reabsorb this. Here are a few things to do to help the healing process along:
Avoid lifting, straining, or any strenuous activities that might raise your blood pressure or pulse--this could worsen the...
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Swelling after a facelift
Please stay calm as it has only been 5 days and direct all your concerns back to your own surgeon. Getting your blood pressure up with anxiety will certainly increase your swelling, delay your healing and not help anything. So please let the doctor who did your surgery hold your hand through this process. You will probably look fine by 2 weeks but staying calm is vital.
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Deep Plane Facelift and Bruising and Swelling at 5 Days
While the deep plane facelift is associated with a longer period of swelling, this can be hard to predict. You should look much better in 2 weeks. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA
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5 days post-op
5 days is still relatively early in healing process after your surgery. Swelling and bruising is common. There are still irritated nerves and tight muscles. Be patient and continue to follow up with your surgeon as directed.
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Swelling after a facelift
The time that it takes for swelling to subside after a facelift is variable. Some factors are controllable like stopping Aspirin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, stopping Vitamin E and Green tea, and surgical technique and hemostasis. Sometimes, some patients just bruise and swell more than the average. Some things that I have found helpful are
1. Arnica Montana pills and cream
2. Vitamin C
3. Zinc
Gentle facial massage
Facial suspension...
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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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