Why is my doctor telling me not to smile after a facelift?

I've never heard of anyone restricting smiling after a face lift. I do always recommend following your surgeon's advice, because they know what works best for their patients. This however seems extreme. There is a category of lifting procedures (not true facelifts) called instalift and nova threads, where dissolvable sutures are used to anchor only skin ( not muscle ) from underneath without incisions. I have heard this restriction with those types of procedures. It's best to talk to your surgeon find out why he recommends not smiling. 

The first couple of days after surgery we do not want patients to make excessive facial gestures in case it may incite bleeding.  However at 2 weeks you should be fine.  Each surgeon has their own idiosyncracies about they instructions they give patients in the recovery period.  

Truthfully, I can't think of a good reason to have you avoid smiling, other than Surgeon preference.  The facial muscles have some of the highest nerve to muscle fiber ratios in the body, and many facial motions are involuntary, so complete avoidance of facial animation is nearly impossible

I've never heard anyone make the recommendation to avoid smiling after a facelift.  The main muscles of smiling are not really going to interfere with the incision healing, and won't stretch your new tissue position.Truthfully I would hope my patients are smiling all the time post surgery!

I have been in a facial plastic surgery practice since1993, and have not heard this before.  I am sure your surgeon has reasons why, just ask him.  Every surgeon has instructions which may be unique to his/her practice.  At two weeks, I have my patients beginning light exercise. Thanks for the question!

Thank you for the question. Certainly this is not a common post-op restriction. However, if everything seems to be looking and working fine, it shouldn't be a big deal. It is possible that part of the suturing is very tight and he doesn't want you to accidentally open something up.

I would certainly say that this advice is not part of my standard post-op care of a patient. Any quality facelift will not be damaged by movements of the facial muscles. Glad you feel and look beautiful........now go ahead and smile and enjoy

A facelift operation requires tightening of the neck

and cheek muscles. Early motion of the facial muscles

could affect the tightening. Every surgeon has preferences 

on post operative care. Some restrict motion some do not.

Ask your doctor for his rational. Best wishes.

Thank you for your question. I have not heard of facial expression restriction after facelift surgery. I cannot say why that was recommended to you. Your surgeon can tell you why they recommended this restriction. Good luck and we are glad to hear you feel beautiful.

I have never heard of a surgeon placing that severe of a restriction on a facelift patient. Personally, I don't find it necessary, but every surgeon has his or her own unique post op protocol. Kindly,Kouros Azar