Realistically how long after a neck and lower facelift does it take before you can go out in public and look normal?

While everyone will have a different recovery experience there are a few things that are helpful in planning.1.  You will have significant swelling (and minor bruising for at least 7-10 days. In 2 weeks you will feel more comfortable going out in public. 2.  For minor events I would reserve a month 3. For major events I would reserve three months. I think you will look great far before this but for all the minor healing issues 3 months is a good safe number. Good luck.  

A facelift is not considered to be a very traumatic procedure (as compared to other surgeries), so actual healing time is usually no longer than a week.  Most noticeable signs of a recent facelift are swelling around the cheek area and bruises in the lower neck.  On average, it takes 1-2 weeks for these problems to dissapear.  At the end the second wee, very few people have noticeable signs of a recent surgical procedure.  If any bruises or swelling are still remaining, it could be covered with make up or creative hair styling.Best wishes!Dr. Konstantin

Throughout the #facelift #healing process you should be seen frequently by your doctor and one of their registered nurses to ensure you are following instructions properly and your recovery is going well. The healing process in general can take up to one month for the majority of swelling to subside, incisions to close, sutures to come out, and for bruising to completely go away. #Recovery time from a #facelift varies from person to person, but patients can generally expect to be presentable within three weeks from surgery. Patients should expect swelling, bruising, and discoloration of the skin during this phase of recovery (swelling normally goes down after 48 hours; most bruising will go away within two weeks). The marks from a facelift can easily hidden with “camouflage” make-up which you can learn how to apply.The scars from a facelift mature within six to twelve months from the surgery date. It is during this time that the rejuvenating effects of the facelift will become apparent and the real result will be seen.If you have certain concerns about the procedures and #healing process, it is recommended to call your board-certified surgeon or their medical staff and discuss those #concerns.

Depends, typically 1-3 weeks.The reason there is variability is largely because of the following reasons. Everyone has differing degrees of face and neck laxity and differing healing "speeds"; furthermore everyone has different levels of social comfort; that is some people would be deftly afraid of being seen in public or by friends with even the slightest amount of bruising or swelling, whereas others are OK or are not bothered by their appearance, even with a significant amount of bruising or swelling. Everyone is different, but most fall with the 2 weeks period.Lastly, different surgeons use different techniques, but be aware that shorter "downtimes" does not necessarily mean better technique or longer term results.The attached link provides more information.I hope this helps.

Of course, that depends on what activities you are engaging in. After a little over a week, you should be able to go out with very close friends or family and moderately heavy makeup. Most women are back to work, unless they have a very job that requires high visibility, at two weeks.  For social functions, I suggest two to three weeks. For important functions, a month. However, if it's your daugher's wedding I like to schedule surgery at least three months before the event to make sure you are fully healed. 

Most patients will want to avoid public activities for 2-3 weeks after a typical facelift procedure. The drains and sutures are removed by the end of the first week, and the bruising and swelling has significantly improved by the end of the second week.  Patients are also off of their pain medication and feel more comfortable driving at this time.  Realize that the healing is still ongoing for several months, and important social events should be avoided until this timeframe.  This also allows time for management of any minor complications that could delay healing. 

I have seen personally some lower face neck lifts look presentable for the public(different then to family member) in 5 days, specially with long hair and makeup.  These are usually patient that only have a lower face neck lift performed with perhaps some other minimal procedures such as fillers and botox.  An additional powerful procedure that may add just a couple more days to the swelling might include an upper eyelid lift or blepharoplasty.Patients undergoing more extensive face lift procedures or any procedure of the brow, lower eyes, and cheeks i.e. fat transfer, can take much longer, as much as a few weeks for swelling to resolve.  Usually, while some patients may lag longer than others, the vast majority of patients who do not bruise, use ice, and strict rest can look presentable to the public(different to family members noticing anything) in 2 weeks

The amount of time that it takes to be able to go outside comfortably after a facelift is extremely variable based on surgical technique.  I have known patients who have undertaken procedures with surgeon's where recovery time may exceed 12-13 days prior to patients feeling comfortable enough to be able to walk out in public.  However, with meticulous surgical technique, meticulous hemostasis, and careful handling of the tissues, I feel that the patient should be easily able to go out and approximately 8-9 days after a facelift.  At this point in time there may be some slight bruising, however this is easily covered with makeup.  At the 8-9 day time frame, a significant amount of the swelling has subsided.  These are the recommendations I give to my own patients.  Some things that may speed up the healing process are as follows: 1.  Using arnica, 2.  Using bromelain, 3.  Using vitamin C and zinc, 4.1.

Every patient has a different recovery period, depending on such factors as technique of necklift, how easily the patient bruises, compliance with post-operative instructions, and ability to use hairstyle and make-up to camouflage incisions and bruises.  Some patients have no bruising and little swelling, and look great at 5 days; others take a good 2 weeks to look presentable.I generally recommend 1-1.5 weeks off work and social activities, and on the longer range of that spectrum if other procedures (such as blepharoplasty or laser resurfacing) are performed concurrently.  If a patient has an important social function--a wedding or a graduation--2 months of healing after surgery is a more prudent answer.

I agree with my colleagues.  The vast majority of facelift patients are in the public between 5 days and 2 weeks.  This depends on your healing, and the procedures you had done.  Follow up closely with your surgeon for your best result.  Best wishes!