How long does swelling last after SMAS Facelift?

Swelling after a facelift can take many months to resolve completely, but the majority of the swelling is usually gone by about 6 weeks after surgery. After this point, the changes are more subtle, but swelling does continue to improve slowly over time. I have seen several of my patients who looked much better at one year after a facelift than they did at 3 months post-op. Of course, each patient is different and will heal at a different rate.
All the best,

Swelling, bruising is mostly gone by two weeks; usually patients need pain medications no longer than 2 -3 days postoperatively. I always apply a dressing to my patients faces to protect the entire area where the incisions have been made and ask them to sleep in "half sitting" position.The recovery depends a great deal on patients health and reaction of his body to the surgery; on the specific surgical techniques employed during the procedure; that's why the range can vary from 2 to 7 weeks.Hope, this will help..

Swelling after a SMAS facelift can last 14 days on average.  There are some patients who take 10 days to recover from a lift and there are others that can take 20 days.  Usually, older patients (over age 60) tend to swell and bruise more as do patients with larger heads or fuller faces (since there's more facial tissue).  Fat grafting or addition of a facial implant increases the swelling, in general, by 7-10 days.  Still having swelling 4 weeks after your facelift is within what most surgeons would consider normal for the type of procedure you had. 

Thank you for your question for sharing your concerns with us. Swelling in the tissues will return to normal as time passes by. Between the first and second week, much of your swelling and bruising will dissipate. It may take more than a month or two for your tissues to fully soften and any residual swelling to resolve. Lymphatic massage maybe an option to help clear the swelling and firmness at a faster pace. I would make sure that you continue to follow up with your plastic surgeon during this period of time.

Swelling after a SMAS lift can last for several weeks. Having facial fat injections at the same time, the swelling can be more dramatic and take longer to resolve. By 4 weeks, you should expect most of the swelling to resolve. If you are still concerned, it would be good to see your surgeon for follow-up evaluation. Good luck.

Thank you for the photos. You are too early to make any statements about long term results. There will be swelling, but one has to also look for fluid accumulation, etc. Best to inform your surgeon about your concerns. Together you will make a plan to get through the post operative course.

Swelling and Numbness Normal after SMAS Facelift
The symptoms of swelling and numbness are not only normal but expected after the first several weeks following a facelift of any sort including a SMAS lift. Most resolves in 2-3 weeks but several weeks are necessary for the rest to go away. It makes sense that structures lower on the face (jowls, upper neck) may have longer swelling than areas higher such as the upper cheek.
Patients should expect swelling, discoloration, and bruising of the skin for several weeks following a SMAS  face lift. 

 This is especially true if fat is injected at the same time. It depends on the patient's tissue as well as the surgeon. Discuss this with your surgeon as he knows what he did during surgery.

Swelling after a facelift is technique dependent. You will swell and bruise more after a formal full facelift but should have a longer lasting result. Shorter and less invasive procedures such as the life style or quick lift or similar procedures will have less bruising and swelling. In my personal opinion, the results are not as lasting as a full facelift procedure. After a full facelift, most of the swelling is gone by 6 weeks and the rest by 6 months.

Swelling after a facelift can be effected by many factors including technique and vary tremendously among individuals. Certainly the fat grafts can contribute to prolonged swelling as well. We generally allow 6 months for resolution of swelling and fibrosis prior to obtaining satisfactory representative post operative photographs.