Facelift/Necklift recovery AFTER 4 weeks

I usually recommend at least 6 weeks post face lift surgery before beginning any sort exercise and even then, most patients report hat you are feeling toward the end of the day.  As the day goes on, you swell slightly more and more throughout the day, thus the "tight" feeling at the end of the day.  When you relax in the evening, the swelling resolves.  This is completely normal and may takes 3 months or more to completely settle.  I do not believe  you are doing any damage to your surgery.  Good luck!

This is my routine with patients having a normal early recovery from a facelift or necklift: Starting at 3 weeks gradually and progressively increase your physical exercise daily routine with increasing  high repetition low resistance activities - e.g. walking, stationary bike without resistance, elliptical, stairstep.That is minimal lifting and no bending (keep head elevated). At 6 weeks there is no restrictions unless you feel discomfort in your activity or there is increased swelling.

Typically, 4 weeks after a facelift and necklift most people have resumed most of their daily and social activities; however, even at that time point you are still in the healing phase.  Much like a person who has knee or hip surgery, for example, you can walk and perhaps jog but running takes a little more healing time.  The same is with some of the activities you are describing.The best advice is to not overdo it and if you feel uncomfortable doing an activity ease off and decrease your overall activity.  In time everything will become normal.  Often at 4 weeks it is OK to take ibuprofen to help with any lingering discomfort.  However, it's important to clear this medication first with your surgeon.  I hope this helps.  

I am glad that your facelift has gone well.  The best advice that I can give is to reduce your level of daily activity and gradually work your way back to your routine schedule.  Over the counter pain medications may occasional be necessary.  Lastly, discuss this with your operating surgeon.Earl Stephenson, Jr, MD, DDS, FACS

Hi @ Sydney_Sixty Thanks for the question and CONGRATULATIONS on the Neck & Face Lift !
At about 5 weeks you're pretty much fully healed and socializing, smiling etc will not hurt you and it's great that you are doing that.You cannot do any harmWith these types of activities.The swelling is worse in the evening But that is natural initially for the first 1-2 months you might expect a bit of swelling towards the end of the day. 
Many patients are surprised that there is not a lot of pain or discomfort after a true surgical neck lift. Milk house yesterday
Patients tend to feel pretty good and back to themselves in about 24 to 48 hours, but it’s extremely important to avoid any strenuous activity for at least one week after surgery. This means no exercise or activity that increases the heart rate, no sexual activity, no straining to use the restroom. 
Most patients are able to return to work after 8-14 days because the bruising has subsided and the swelling is mostly gone. Makeup can be worn after the first week to conceal any bruising or scars. 
It takes about 3 months for most of the swelling to resolve and for you to see your true results. Sometimes, certain areas of your skin may remain firm for 6-9 months and this can be improved with lymphatic massage or just waiting for it to subside. Swelling follows gravity, so the last area to stay a bit firm and swollen is typically the lower neck but this is barely noticeable and concealed easily with a scarf. 
 The scars fade by about 12 months after surgery. 
we often advise our Facelift Patients to take Arnica and Bromelin which have been shown to reduce the period of bruising and swelling.
If you’re slow to recover with swelling try adhering to a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, avoiding any salt whatsoever. This, combined with a few lymphatic massage treatments can do wonders for reducing facial swelling after a facelift.
Congrats again, 
Dr. Karan Chopra
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
Face Plastic Surgery Expert
Aesthetic Fellowship Trained
Johns Hopkins Plastic Surgery Trained

The facelift recovery process can vary from person to person. It is always best you consult your operating surgeon for definitive advice regarding his preferred method of activity after surgery. This will obviously depend on what type of facelift was performed.In general, at 4 weeks my patients are starting to get back to full, regular activity.  I do not impose much restriction at that point, other then exercise that can be overly strenuous or that can worsen swelling such as intense Yoga. Most of my patients, by 6 weeks, are back to full activity.  There are exceptions that take less time and those that take more time to heal. Remember, you are tired because you have been recovering for the past few weeks.  It takes time to get back to full activity and will not happen overnight. Even if you did not have surgery and just took it easy for 3 weeks it would take time for you to recondition yourself. I would expect that as the weeks go by, you will continue to feel better and more energetic.  Also remember to enjoy the results of the facelift surgery you had!

Your "recovery" sounds pretty normal.  You certainly sound recovered but you are not healed at 5 weeks so you will certainly have tightness, numbness and some minimal discomfort.  All of this should improve from week to week.  I hope that you like your results and they should look even better with time as the swelling continues to go way.I hope that helps.Best regards.

Thank you for your question.  Your recovery sounds normal.  The skin and muscles of your face and neck are adjusting and recovering from your surgery.  It makes sense that your discomfort increases with activity and during the course of the day.  Although the initial bruising and swelling and feeling of tightness take 3-4 weeks to resolve I tell patients not to expect to feel normal and social environments or at work for at least 6 weeks.  Of course it is important to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.