I keep reading that post-facelift swelling can last up to a year! Where is this swelling? Is it noticeable?

Question

I’m hearing that you can go back to work in 2 weeks, that no one will notice & that you just look rested, etc. However, this doesn’t seem consistent with swelling that lasts for several months & up to a year??!! What is the reality & where is this residual swelling?

Juan Carlos Fuentes, MD · Answer

With a face lift there is swelling on the operated areas, the amount of swelling varies from patient to patient, from many factors; the swelling relates more with the surgical techinque performed, and also important is the surgeon, as the same techinque performed by diferent surgeons, delivers different amount of swelling. Finally, after the surgery it is very important that the patient follows the preoperative and postoperative instructions. In average 80% of the swelling after a face lift with SMAS support disapears 3 month after the face lift, and at 6 months about 95% is gone.

Sanjay K. Sharma, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. While the majority of your facelift swelling will go down in about two weeks, there is a bit of swelling that remains. Most will be gone after about three months, and after six months, any residual swelling will be nearly invisible. If you are considering a facelift, I recommend that you schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. They can examine you, answer any questions you may have and address your concerns about the procedure and recovery. Good luck!

Michael Kulick, MD, DDS · Answer

Your question is general in nature. Can swelling last for a year- yes. Most swelling is gone by 6 months after surgery. 
It is impossible to address your questions without seeing how you actually look like and what what you want improved. The real answer to your question is based on what you look like now and what you want to look like going forward. I have had patients singing at a wedding, 2-weeks after her surgery. 
Look at the weblink and the video attached. It will help you with your educational process. 
Sincerely,
Dr K

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

Everyone heals differently, however most of the swelling will resolve after a couple of weeks. There will be residual swelling that can take several months to be completely be gone, but it will not be noticeable to others and probably not even you. Be sure to keep your head elevated after surgery, sleep with a couple of pillows under your head and avoid doing anything strenuous for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery or swelling may return. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon and view many before and after pictures. Good luck.

Gregory S. Keller, MD, FACS · Answer

Swelling around the cheeks, neck, and eyes mostly resolves so that the patient can return to public activities in 10 days to two weeks. This is not a linear recovery, however.  A lot of swelling and bruising resolves within 5-10 days (it is the natural cycle of inflammation and repair.  
However, the patient will notice changes for longer, and it is a year before all of the changes, swelling, palpable hardness, etc resolve.  
What a patient notices is different, than what others notice.  A patient will notice swelling, etc that others do not see, unless the patient points them out.  We like to use a reversible mirror with 1x/10x sides.  We say  this is the way the world looks at you (1x) and this is how you look at you (10x).  
The result is that you look good to others (public appearance) with makeup in 10 days to 2 weeks (average recovery, some sooner, some later), but you may not be happy with your look in the mirror for longer (4-6 weeks). You may notice slight swelling around the jowls and neck, as well as around the eyes that contracts and resolves over a longer period of time.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

I would say that the immediate recovery period after a facelift is about 2 weeks.  After this time, there usually is some mild swelling present, but it is not so significant that most people would notice it.  Over the course of 6-12 months after surgery, results can just continue to improve as the healing process takes place.

Michael Eisemann, MD · Answer

While it is true that swelling from a facelift can last up to a year, the majority of the swelling resolves in the first two weeks. By the time you are six months out from your facelift, nearly all of the swelling will have subsided, though you may notice a bit occasionally until a year after your surgery. I suggest that you schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. They can answer all of your questions and address any concerns you may have about the surgery itself and the healing process. Best of luck!Michael Eisemann M.D.

Plastic Surgeon
Houston, Texas

Plastic Surgeon
Houston, Texas

Jeffrey Jumaily, MD · Answer

everyone is different and different surgical techniques lead to different degree of swelling. The majority of people have noticeable swelling for 10-14 days. After 2 weeks it becomes less noticeable and with the regular make up etc it's hard to notice. The lower eyelids can hold swelling for a while and sometimes bruising can stain the skin for a little bit as well. after 2-3 weeks the amount of swelling is dramatically better but the last little bit of swelling can take months to resolve.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your recent question! Swelling can last up to a year but this swelling is like the tides it can come and go and will not necessarily be swelling others will notice but more your self.  I would say returning back to work in two weeks is a good suggestion and you will be presentable at that time.  Best of luck!

Kristina Tansavatdi, MD · Answer

Swelling after facelift surgery usually resolves by 4-6 months. At 2 weeks a majority of the swelling is gone and those who don't know you well should not notice the swelling that is present. Hope this answers your question.

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