How long should you wear the elastic face tensioner after a neck and face lift? What is it's purpose?

Thank you for your questionPlease get your plastic surgeon to advise on their recovery protocol and voice your concerns.  I do not used chin compression garment as I strap my patients chin up using a technique which is as effective as a compression garment.  This reduces any sign of seroma.  My patients will wear this until they return for their follow up appointment (7 days later).All The Best 

Each surgeon has their own preference for
compression dressings after a facelift.
Their purpose is two-fold – one is to keep the skin and fascia
compressed to their face and neck after a lift and second is to decrease the
amount of swelling and fluid accumulation that may occur with the effects of
gravity. On the first day of surgery, we
start with a larger compression dressing using medical grade cotton and gauze
dressings, then after we switch to terrycloth elastic head bands. We have our patients where these elastic
bands 24hours/day for the first week then after that only at night time.  I hope this is helpful for you, best wishes!

General pressure is often times exerted on a postoperative face for the purposes of obliterating dead space and supporting soft tissues. However there's no evidence that they have any effect on the long-term outcome.

I like using an elastic support strap after a facelift/necklift.My patients have a fluffy cotton bandage on for the first 24 hours, then we switch to a much smaller version of of a fluffy cotton head wrap for the next 24 hours.After that I just have them wear the elastic support strap without any additional cotton padding.  I use an elastic strap that is similar to what most other surgeons use.  It goes under the chin along the neck and then extends vertically over the cheeks with two velcro pieces that rest on the top of the head (one directly on the top and the other further back closer to where the strap on a baseball cap would sit).I like for patients to wear this support strap as much as possible in the first week, but I encourage them to take some breaks from wearing it so that it does not become annoying or irritating on the skin.  In week 2 after surgery I like for patients to wear the support strap when they are sitting around the house, watching TV, sleeping, etc.  However, they can go without it when in public.  After 2 weeks it becomes more optional.  I encourage patients to wear it occasionally when awake and encourage them to wear it when sleeping for another 2 or 3 weeks.  Some patients really feel a great deal of added security from the support strap and choose to wear it even longer.In week 1 the support strap is helpful for keeping swelling down.In weeks 1 and 2 it is also important for keeping the skin that has been elevated in contact with the deeper layers so that everything heals in place as planned.The body continues to heal and the tissues strengthen underneath the surface for another month or so before things are really healed in place, so that is why I have found that continuing to wear the strap occasionally for a few more weeks has been helpful for most patients.The key is that there should never be excessive tension or pressure with the support strap.  It should only counteract the force of gravity and weight of the skin to gently keep things in position.

An elastic chin strap is commonly used in the first week after a facelift, but the duration and timing of use will vary from Surgeon to Surgeon.  The purpose of the strap is to provide mild compression between the skin and underlying tissue during the early postoperative period.  I instruct my patients to use it for the better part of the first week.  If the patient is experiencing irritation or difficulty with the garment, I will have them discontinue its use sooner.

Thank you for your question.  I would refer you to your surgeon to address post-operative recommendations.  The use of garments after a facelift is very variable with little scientific evidence to support either approach.  Discuss the pros and cons of each strategy with your surgeon.  Best wishes on your recovery.

Typically, patients are asked to wear a facial elastic garment to provide gentle compression for at least a week following face/necklift.  The garment functions to reduce postoperative swelling, while also supporting the underlying tissues in the immediate postoperative period.  Good Luck

Using a tensor bandage or a sling after your facelift is common. I would say the majority of surgeons use some form of these, however like everything in medicine there is some disagreement. I do use one as I do feel it helps reduce swelling and ensures you have good contact between the skin and underlying tissue. Another very important reason is that it applies slight pressure and may help reduce very small amounts of blood collection under the skin. If this happens, it can result in small areas that look like deep scars. Now, all these points could be argued but, the risk of using a bandage is VERY low. My opinion is given the very low risk as well as the fact that most people do not find them too uncomfortable, the risks outweigh the benefits. I hope this was helpfull.James Bonaparte, MD, MSc, FRCSCOtolaryngology - Head and Neck SurgeryFacial Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryOttawa, Ontario, Canada

While not all facelift surgeons recommend their use, most surgeons suggest the use of a chin sling for some period of time after surgery. In general, the sling should be worn up to a week after surgery though some surgeons recommend the sling be used even longer. Its main purpose is to help diminish any postoperative swelling that may occur.

I recommended a neck support garment for 2 weeks following surgery at nighttime to help support the sling of the platysma muscle, and to avoid straining with exercise for the first 2 weeks as well.  Be sure to discuss your surgical protocol with your surgeon and best of luck.