How soon may I drive after a facelift? I have a stick shift.

Different surgeons will have different protocols for when patients may drive again after facelift surgery.  Having a stick shift versus an automatic car would not make any difference.  The main issue with driving after facelift surgery is the turning of the neck, which may put more tension on the operated area.  This tension can affect healing.  When turning the head during the recovery period, it is best to turn the head and the neck together, as this will produce less stretch on the incisions.  You should check with your particular surgeon to see when he or she recommends it would be safe to drive again. 

Hello Joyce2be: the broad answer to your question would be "it depends". Recovery after a facelift is different for everyone. Patients who undergo general anesthesia typically take longer to recover than those who undergo local anesthesia. Recovery is usually characterized by postop nausea and pain. Driving safely, especially with a stick shift, requires your full attention and focus. So you would obviously need to be past that nausea and pain before getting behind the wheel.Full Disclosure: I am a Lifestyle Lift surgeon, and we do all our procedures under local anesthesia. As stated earlier, the recovery period is different for everyone, but generally faster. I see my patients the day after surgery (post-op day #1), then at 8-10 days after surgery for suture removal. Most of my patients need a driver to that first followup, but can drive themselves to the suture removal. Many report being able to drive within a week of surgery.  HOpe that helps.

Specific instructions about drive should come from your own plastic surgeon. In my practice I permit patients to drive as soon as they feel I can do so safely.

Hello Joyce2be ,Thanks for the question.The postoperative instructions can vary from surgeon to surgeon.  Waiting 7 days is the usual in my practice.  At that point turning the neck to check your blind spot while driving is more easily accomplished.Really I depend on the patient to be honest if they can make those types of movements after the 7th day as my guide to allowing them to drive.I hope this helps.Dr. Shadfar

While answers will vary from surgeon to surgeon, healing occurs in step-wise progression. Most complications occur within the first 24 hours and between the 2nd and 3rd week when you start to feel better.It is the stitches that hold the skin together along the edges and they weaken 50% by the 2nd to 3rd week. By that time, only minimal collagen or scar have sealed off the blood vessels and developed a tenuous adhesion until firm healing occurs by 6 weeks. Any exertion during the first 3 weeks tempts a complication such as bleeding or the incision separating. I recommend only ADL's (activities of daily living) such as hygiene, light walks, head elevated, no exercise, etc for the first 3 weeks. Thereafter, take things more actively for 3 more weeks before considering returning to weightlifting, marathons and other hustle and bustle. Driving is considered exertional. You stress; you will have to turn and look to be safe driving the car. You must be responsible for yourself and others around you. Have someone else drive you during the first 3 weeks. I hope this has been helpful. All the best!

That depends on your surgeon's recommendations based on what he/she did. Typically, my patients do not drive for4-5 days minimum. It really isn't even a question of will you have a surgical complication if you drive before then. Imagine it is three days after your surgery, you are swollen and maybe bruised, have sutures in and maybe have a dressing. You are involved in an accident where another person is injured or dies or maybe a child darts out in front of the car. Even if it is not your "fault", you will have a VERY difficult time justifying to a jury that you were "O.K." to drive on day three and that it had no effect on your capabilities. Is that worth it????

Of course you need to follow the specific advice of your plastic surgeon.That said however operating a stick shift car requires shoulder movements which can pull on the neck and face.Of course wait until you are comfortable and can do so safely however my preference would be waiting 2 or 3 weeks before you do this.