Can You Drive a Car After Lower Facelift?

Thank you for your question.  The Lower Facelift surgery I perform is under local anaesthetic - it is still vial to ensure you are not driving.  Firstly, it maybe sniff and sore to turn head properly, after surgery sometimes patients feel slightly faint - need time to relax and recover. I would typically not recommend driving until 48 hours or when you feel confident to drive as normal. Also, from an insurance purpose, if an accident were to happen, you unfortunately would not be covered under your insurance.Best Wishes 

A proper lower facelift should require a period of convalescence to allow your body to recover. A non surgical option would be Ulthera, which does not require downtime. Raffy Karamanoukian MD FACSLos Angeles

I typically recommend that there should be absolutely no driving, operating heavy machinery, or making important decisions 48 hours following lower facelift surgery.  After that time, patient comfort is the deciding factor. Most patients report limitations in neck movement for the first 7-10 days after the procedure --- therefore, exercise caution! 

Thank you for your question. Yes, but not safely as you have to turn your neck to see traffic which is difficult in a head dressing.  Possible, but not recommended. I hope this helps.

You should not drive immediately following your necklift surgery as you will likely receive medications that cause sedation and impair your reflexes.  If you have any pain medications in your system you should not drive either.  Patients vary in the amount of pain and duration of pain following surgery, but usually 3-5 days following your procedure pain medications will be needed.  For safety you should be able to comfortably turn your head.  Including all of these factors it is usually about a week or more when patients resume driving.

Yes, of course, but not for the first 5 days or so, and assuming that you were able to drive a car prior to your surgery.

Our office usually has patients refrain from driving for about a week after surgery.  Remember to have help at home for the first few days as well.  Please see a board certified plastic surgeon or otolarynglolgist (ENT).  They will help you get through the process.

The only contraindication to driving after facelift is the inability to drive safely. As soon as the patient is off pain medication most can return to driving at that time. Seldom do facelift patients require pain medication for more than a day or so.

Proposed Answer: After undergoing a lower facelift, you'll need to arrange a ride to take you home as the anesthesia and medication you'll be on will inhibit your ability to drive. Before you're able to drive, you should be off all pain medication and be able to turn your head easily. Though this varies from patient to patient, it's ideal to rest and recover for 7-10 days before getting back to your normal daily activities.

You will not be able to operate a vehicle following a facelift. It will be necessary to have someone care for you the first 24 hours after surgery. You may be taking pain medication for any discomfort, and it is advised to wait at least 1-2 weeks. I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck.