I had a facelift 4 weeks ago today. Face is still slightly swollen.

Question

I had vertical lines above my lip. So had fat transfer I want to no how long does the swelling take to go down

Russell Sassani, MD · Answer

A good rule of thumb is that about 80-90% of the swelling will resolve in the first 4-6 weeks and the additional 10-20% can take a few months more. So be patient - especially since you are early on in your recovery. One other thing that is helpful with postop swelling is Arnica which is obtainable at any health food store. Follow the directions on the bottle. Also never fail to keep your surgeon in the loop and express your concerns to him or her. Good luck with your continued recovery and I hope you are enjoying your result

Marc DuPéré, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question, dd69. Most patient literature
on facelift surgery says that swelling will be largely resolved after 4 weeks,
but this is merely a guideline. Every patient heals differently. Your own
physiology, as well as the techniques your doctor used during surgery,
can influence how long the healing process takes. Fat grafting on itself will
be associated with some swelling; we often overgraft, i.e. overcorrect, as some
of the fat will not survive.  Full
results after fat grafting are only seen after 3 months.  Because you are only slightly swollen, that sounds to me like a
very good sign that you're healing well. It may take a few more months for the
last bit of swelling to completely go away. Please contact your surgeon if you
have any urgent concerns. Good luck!

Rod J. Rohrich, MD · Answer

The
degree of swelling varies from patient to patient. Swelling of the face is totally normal.
All swelling takes time to subside, especially with a lower facelift, but you will see steady
progress over the course of days, weeks, and months. Contact your surgeon’s office with any
concerns or questions regarding your post-op swelling. #facelift#drrodrohrich#facialrejuvenation

Brian K. Machida, MD, FACS · Answer

It sounds as if your healing appropriately. Most swelling is gone at this time, however there is usually some swelling at this point.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

Swelling after a facelift and fat grafting typically lasts 3-4 weeks.  There can be some residual minor swelling that can persist a bit longer, but you should be pretty happy at this point with your appearance.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Michael Boggess, MD · Answer

Hello.  Thank you for your question.  Swelling can vary from one person to the next following facial rejuvenation surgery.  Typically, the visible swelling that others can see will resolve in 2 - 4 weeks in most patients.  However, there is some mild residual swelling that can be felt, but not necessarily visibly apparent, that may take several weeks to months to resolve, depending on the individual patient.  I would encourage you to be patient with the healing process and make your surgeon aware of any concerns that you have along the way.  Best of luck to you in your recovery.

Mark Been, MD · Answer

Thanks for your post. It is normal to still have some swelling one month after your procedure. For most people, swelling will resolve after two to three months. Be sure to follow up regularly with your surgeon for in person examinations. Good luck!

Fernando Colon, MD · Answer

Dear DDA slight swelling at 4 weeks is normallyexpected. By 6 weeks you should havea good idea on how much of the fat transferyou retained. Although looking good happens early most operations take a at least 6 monthsfor healing to be complete.Best Wishes.

Louis C. Cutolo, Jr., MD, FACS · Answer

Swelling decreases at varying rates in different
patients. Usually, 80% of it is gone in 2 to 3 weeks.  95% is gone in 6 to 8 weeks. The rest can take
months to finally subside. Most people are fine to get back into their regular
routines by 2 to 3 weeks. It is not unusual for you to still have swelling at one
month after the procedure. It will subside in time.

I had a facelift 4 weeks ago today. Face is still slightly swollen.

Answers (18)

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