How long does it take to recover after a lower facelift?

The time for facelift recovery depends mainly on the delicacy of the technique used by the surgeon. Combination of the surgery with other procedures can increase the recovery time however, this is what is expecting you in general:
your facelift operation takes around 2-3 hours
add 1-3 hours if fat grafting and upper and lower blepharoplasties and brow lifts are combined
you will stay at the hospital for 1-2 days after which you will be discharged with no bandages or drains
you will be seen on day 5 for removal of your stitches after which you can continue normally with your routine life
your edema and swelling will be very minimal and bruising almost none with just the facelift operation
however if fat grafting is performed, you will have more swelling that can last for 1-2 weeks
be ready to go public in 5 days, but for a formal event, I advice to wait a month
your final results will be seen in 3 months
your scars will mature in a yearHope this helps,
Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

Thanks for the question. It takes 3-4 weeks for your body to recover and return to daily life without any problems. I wish you all the best.

Recovery has different phases after a facelift, starting at the first week where sutures and staples are present and you look procedural.  I allow most of my patients to apply makeup between 10-14 days which will conceal bruising, swelling, and other aspects to the uninitiated eye.  Activity restriction is a strict 2 weeks and patients can resume weight lifting, tennis, golf etc at 4 weeks.  Firmness and swelling in the neck to the touch can last 2-3 months.  Numbness of the neck and lateral face typically last 6-12 months.  The "noose" sensation you describe is unusual, but can happen after a corset platysmaplasty; this should resolve itself in 6-12 months.  Overall, there are changes for a year after the procedure and some variation on the factors described above can happen during that time. 

#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.

The tightness in your neck and numbness are not unusual 4 months after this type of procedure. The ringing in your ears at this point sounds unusual. You should convey these symptoms to your surgeon (or his nurse). They know what was done at surgery and should help guide you through your recovery.

It is not unusual to feel tightness and numbness after a lower facelift.  The tightness is likely a good sign as it implies your surgeon acheive a good lift in the neck region.  At this time, I would consider massage and range of motion exercises in your neck.In regards to numbness, it is likely temporary but it could be permanent.  Nerves are the slowest tissues in the body to heal.  They will continue to heal for at least 1 year after surgery.  I would give it time and the numbness will likely resolve.I hope this helps.  

It seems odd at four months to still be having that much tightness.  It may be that the surgeon used certain types of tension sutures which may explain the ear pain and tightness.  I would talk to the surgeon about that.  The ringing in the ears is not usual.  I would ask the surgeon, if that person is a facial plastic surgeon that would mean they were trained in ENT and should be able to evaluate the ringing in the ears. Good Luck!

You are still within the recovery period and the symptoms
you are describing are common. Every patient’s recovery is different, however
the recovery period for a lower facelift is approximately 9 to 12 months.

It is not uncommon to experience tightness at 4 months post op. This will correct itself over time.  You are still in the early healing phase. Facial massages can be helpful.  Follow up with your surgeon so he can monitor your progress.