What to Expect after Facelift By Nimit D on April 15, 2013

As you grow older, the face can begin to appear tired, old, wrinkled, and saggy. Loose skin, jowls, lines and wrinkles, deep creases, and loss of volume are just some of the aesthetically unpleasing signs of facial aging. If you are tired of looking tired, you may benefit from facelift surgery. At his Ottawa plastic surgery centre, Dr. Peter Brownrigg performs facelift using a range of techniques, including the MACS rhytidectomy technique, the S-lift facelift technique, and the SMAS facelift with tisseel sealant technique. By customizing a treatment plan to your unique needs and goals, Dr. Brownrigg can help restore a smoother, more refreshed and youthful appearance to your facial contours.

Many patients are wary of undergoing facelift because of the recovery phase. However, the majority of our Ottawa facelift patients have expressed that the aesthetic benefits they achieved outweighed any discomfort they experienced during the procedure and throughout the recovery process.

What to Expect upon Waking Up after Surgery

Depending on the technique used during your facelift surgery, a hospital stay of one to two days may be required. Many patients express feeling nauseous upon waking up after surgery. Medication may be given to help combat any nausea after surgery. You should expect to feel some pain, bruising, and swelling throughout the early stages of your facelift recovery process. To help reduce bruising and swelling, your face will be bandaged immediately after the facelift procedure. Some patients may also have drainage tubes inserted behind the ears to prevent fluids and blood from collecting under the skin. Prescription pain medication will be administered during your stay. You will also be prescribed medication to help alleviate your pain once you are recovering at home. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to help prevent infection after surgery.

Facelift Recovery Tips

You should begin to see the results of your facelift surgery within the first few weeks after the procedure. To help promote healing after undergoing facelift surgery, we suggest that patients follow these facelift recovery tips:

• Diligently follow all post-operative instructions
• Get lots of rest: Patients should not engage in strenuous activities for the first six weeks after their facelift surgery and should not over-exert themselves
• Do not look in the mirror: Some patients find it distressing to see how discoloured, swollen, and bruised they appear after surgery
• Keep your head elevated: Patients should keep their heads elevated during the first few days after undergoing facelift surgery, even when sleeping. By keeping your head elevated at all times, you help reduce swelling
• Drink plenty of fluids: Drinking plenty of fluids will help replace any fluids lost through surgery as well as help to reduce swelling
• Keep your bandages dry
• Do not over-exert yourself: Do not bend over and pick up objects or engage in too much physical activity too soon in your recovery process
• Do not rub, tug, scratch, or even touch your facial skin
• Walk: We encourage patients to walk as soon as they feel up to it to encourage and promote healing
• Support your face: Wear face and neck compression garments as instructed

Learn More about Facelift Recovery

For further information and tips for facelift recovery, please contact Dr. Peter Brownrigg at his Ottawa cosmetic and restorative facial plastic surgery practice today.

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