How Long Do Surgeons Generally Follow Up After a Face Lift?

I personally follow my facelift patients for 6-12 months. This really depends on how far away they live. I have many patients that travel long distances to have their facelift with me, some even overseas. I ask these patients to stay for 2 weeks, but many can only stay for 7-8 days, then they go home. We do check in on them occasionally to make sure they are healing as expected and to answer any questions they may have. If you have any concerns, I'm sure your surgeon would love to hear from you, even to just reassure you that everything you are experiencing is normal.

I would much rather reassure a patient than have them sit at home worrying  about something.

Andrew C. Campbell, M.D.

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
 

I agree it is nice to see your patients for the long term but if you are not having issues it may be ok to not have follow up. I am sure if you contact your surgeon he can have you see a local colleague 

In general, I follow up with my patients for many years after the initial time period of 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, a year and then annually after that. I want to maximize their result by providing them with medical grade skincare such as Retin-A, sunscreen, as well as the use of intermittent fillers and/or Botox to maximize the result long-term.

This varies surgeon to surgeon.  At your stage (4 months) there is no absolute need to follow up as long as you are happy and have no issues

The short answer is:  No problems, no more follow up.  At four months there is no longer risk of infection, healing complications, etc.  We sometimes will laser red scars at this point, but if there are no issues you can feel confident and enjoy your results until you need something else done.  Maybe begin a relationship with a medi-spa for some non surgical maintenance.  That way you will develop the contacts and referral system for your next intervention.

 

 

Most of the post-op changes have settled down in 3-4 months after a facelift.  Scar maturation and resolution of numbness, however, take longer - about a year or so.

In terms of follow-up, each surgeon will have their own routine.  If you have any questions or concerns about your current situation at 4 months post-op, I would certainly seek out a local plastic surgeon for an opinion.  Perhaps your old surgeon has made arrangements with a local MD for ongoing care of his former patients?  That would be a good place to start.

 

Best wishes,

Every facelift surgeon has his own routine for follow up. Most of us would agree that a follow up after 1 year +/- is helpful because this will truly show the final outcome. After this, normal aging will take over.

Every plastic surgeon is different, but most will want to see you several times, up to and including 6-12 months after your procedure. 

 

The main reason for this is because healing, scar maturation, and swelling dissipation, will take 6 - 12 months after your facelift.  Although most of your healing will occur right after surgery, it takes 6- 1 2 months for all of the healing to take place. 

 

Some problems, such as thickened scar tissue or assymetric swelling, can be treated non-surgicially within 6-12 months of surgery.  If you wait too long, then these issues may only be corrected with another minor procedure. 

 

Thanks for the great question!  I would recommend talking to your original plastic surgeon for his/ her recommendation. 

 

Every Surgeon you ask will have their own variation on follow-up and rationale for their answer.  I like to see patients for at least a year after the surgery. The reasons for this duration are twofold: quality control on my side, and taking accurate postoperative pictures. From a patient's standpoint, the one year follow up is not absolutely necessary, especially if the patient is happy. If you are satisfied and there are no outstanding issues from your standpoint, you don't need to travel to see your Surgeon.

It is advised that you continue your follow up appointments, however, if your PS is now out of state you can ask him for alternative options.  For our out of town patients who do not wish to travel back for post ops, we have them send us photos or see a local PS.  Call your PS surgoen and ask him/her what they recommend.  If your case was complex, he/she may want to see you in person rather than photos.