Capek Plastic Surgery & MedSpa - Latham

I usually tell my patients that 3-10 days is the peak time for bruising and swelling. Most people are ‘restaurant ready’ by 2-3 weeks after facelift surgery, which means with make-up on and under not-too-bright lighting. Glasses, even non-prescription versions like blue-light glasses, can help to hide bruises and swelling around your eyes, especially if you also had a blepharoplasty. I always advise patients to book their facelift procedure at least 3 months from any photo-worthy event. Milder swelling can go up and down, depending on the day, for 2-3 months. Though this does not usually affect daily life, you want time to heal fully before a big event.
As always, I advise patients to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in facial surgery and find someone you connect with and trust. Good Luck!

This is a very common question. Facelift surgery can be done under local anesthesia, IV sedation plus local injections, or general anesthesia and depends on several factors. These include the type of facelift being done, patient health and anatomy, and the surgeon’s experience and preference. All of this is typically discussed at your initial consultation. My preference for most patients is MAC anesthesia, which is a type of IV sedation that many people have for procedures like colonoscopy. You are not intubated during MAC anesthesia, you breathe on your own but you have little memory of what happens. The medications wear off very quickly at the end of the surgery and patients generally have few side effects. As always, I advise patients to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in facial surgery and find someone you connect with and trust. Good Luck!

That’s a great question! Swelling and bruising follow a general pattern but the timeline varies a lot between patients. Usually bruises ‘blossom’ over the first 2-3 days and swelling increase, too. By 6-7 days, when you are getting stitches out, you are already looking better and many patients start wearing cover-up makeup. Glasses, even non-prescription versions like blue-light glasses, can help to hide bruises and swelling around your eyes, especially if you also had a blepharoplasty. Most facelift patients are ‘restaurant ready’ by 2-3 weeks, which means with make-up on and under not-too-bright lighting. Milder swelling can go up and down, depending on the day, for a couple of months but doesn’t usually interfere with daily activities after the first 2-3 weeks.
As always, I advise patients to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in facial surgery and find someone you connect with and trust. Good Luck!

Thank you for this question! I usually tell my patients that 3-10 days is the peak time for bruising and swelling. Most people are ‘restaurant ready’ by 2-3 weeks after facelift surgery, which means with make-up on and under not-too-bright lighting. Milder swelling can go up and down, depending on the day, for 2-3 months but to answer your question specifically, it’s possible though uncommon, to have stubborn areas where swelling can that take up to 6 months to resolve. Healing after any surgery is a journey and scars, for example, continue to remodel and improve for a year or more. Patience and open communication with your surgeon is most important when you are recovering from a facelift.
As always, I advise patients to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in facial surgery and find someone you connect with and trust. Good Luck!

That’s a great question! Genetics and your personal lifestyle are the greatest factors in facial aging. Regardless of age, a person with facial skin laxity and volume loss may be a good candidate for a facelift. Some people prefer to have even mild aging changes treated surgically or non-surgically, starting in their 30s or 40s, while others wait until their 50s or later. The sooner you begin your facial rejuvenation journey, the better. In your youth, skincare is a priority. Then you may consider nonsurgical options such as fillers or neurotoxins. When you finally decide on surgery, you will have a better result if you’ve been taking care of your skin since your youth.
From a medical standpoint, while most patients who have a facelift are in their 50s and 60s, there is no age limit for this procedure. A patient who goes through early menopause or a massive weight loss journey may benefit from a facelift in their early 40s, while a healthy and active 80-year-old may still be a good surgical candidate. Your surgeon will base your personal timetable on your goals, circumstances, and health.
As always, I advise patients to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in facial surgery and find someone you connect with and trust. Good Luck!