Recovery time after lower facelifts vary with the patient. On average, recovery is 14 days. The first day, the patient can go home or spend the night. He or she will have a dressing around their head to hold the neck skin up and the patient comes back to the office the following morning.
That week, we recommend no heavy lifting, bending over, or strenous activity. On day 7, all of the stitches come out, you can start using makeup and we allow you to start working out. The problem with day 7 is that you are still swollen and bruised. This is what usually takes another 7 days to resolve. (Mike Majmundar, MD, Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon)
The recovery from a lower facelift varies a lot depending on exactly what kind of procedure is done and of course patient variation.
It can also depend on what other procedures are done at the same time.
If you only have a lower facelift ( with probable neck lift of some kind) then you might be pretty presentable around a week or 10 days- ok to go back to work for example. If you also have eyelid surgery and / or a chemical peel or laser at the same time then you will need a little longer.
Because there is little pain after the surgery, the main recovery focuses on reducing the amount of bruising and swelling which with newer techniques is for most patients dramatically better than 20 years ago. (G. Wesley Price, MD, Chevy Chase Plastic Surgeon)
You can expect to have minimal bruising and swelling for around 1-2 weeks postoperatively. It can vary patient to patient. We do want patients up and moving after surgery and your pain should be minimal. (Sugene Kim, MD, FACS, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
Recovery time can vary between patients and among various facelift procedures. I do advise that my patients continue very light activity around the house after the first 72 hours but full activity or exercise should be avoided for approximately a month. (Richard A. Zoumalan, MD, Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon)
1-2 weeks
After a lower facelift, your recovery time would be 7-10 days depending upon the extent of the work required. In order to look good for special events, it may take a few weeks more. (Brian K. Machida, MD, FACS, Ontario Facial Plastic Surgeon)
For most patients a two week recovery is normal but it varies with how much is done (fat grafting, neck work , etc.) Ask you plastic surgeon of choice what he/she recommends based on their technique. (Francisco Canales, MD, Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon)
Facelift Recovery Time Explained
Recovery encompasses several aspects. Most patients are most interested in pain, activity, and appearance. Following a facelift, most patients use oral pain medication for early soreness for a just a few days. Following a facelift, each surgeon has his or her own suggestions and recommendations, and your surgeon’s advice should be followed.
In general, most normal daily activities are resumed the day after surgery. One may shower after a few days. Most people resume driving after 5-7 days. Light exercise is resumed after approximately 2-3 weeks. Full exercise may be delayed for approximately 6 weeks.
Following a facelift, there is undeniably a period during which most patients prefer not to be seen in public due to the appearance of expected swelling and bruising. Most people are able to resume public appearances within 10-12 days with the use of makeup and hairstyling to help conceal any residual bruising or early scar discoloration. (James M. Pearson, MD, Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Recovery time for lower facelift – like any procedure – may vary slightly based on the surgeon, patient and scope of work performed. Find an educated, experienced doctor who specializes on just faces because all of their time and resources are dedicated to this specialty.
Ask where your procedure will be performed to ensure that your surgeon only operates in an accredited surgical facility or at a hospital. (Ross A. Clevens, MD, Melbourne Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Typical recovery time after lower facelift is 3-5 days. After this most people are ready to leave the house, resume light activities, and return to office work. There may be bruising for up to 2 weeks depending on the exact type of surgery and individual variables.
Light exercise can resume at 2 weeks and sports and heavy exercise at 4 weeks. (Cory Goldberg, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)
Face lift recuperation recovery
I advise my patients to leave the house on the first day after surgery. This promotes well being and circulation.
They are advised to wear elastic bandages for one week as much as possible. Most patients may return to the public eye at 7-10 days post procedure.
For patients with mild skin laxity and jowls a liposuction of the jowls and neckline or a Cellulaze Sidelaze procedure may afford similar results as a lower facelift with less risk. Please consult in person with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon prior to making treatment decisions. (Luis A. Cenedese, MD, FACS, New York Plastic Surgeon)
The Lower Facelift: A Healing Timeline
The lower facelift addresses relaxation of the skin and tissues of the lower face and neck. The healing time depends on the techniques used by the doctor in the procedure as well as the health and thickness of the patient’s skin.
In our practice, patients are able to return to work within about 10 – 12 days. By this time, swelling is generally minimal and bruising is often minimal and easy to cover.
Our patients may begin exercise 3 weeks after surgery. (Stephen Bresnick, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)
Recovery time for lower facelift is 2 weeks
It takes approximately 2 weeks for most of the swelling and bruising to resolve after a lower face/neck lift. In our experience, using Jackson-Pratt drains to remove blood during the first 2 days in the postoperative period decreases the effect of traumatic bruising and swelling.
After the drains are removed, there will still be swelling that takes approximately 2 weeks to resolve. At 2 weeks most patients are able return back to their normal physical and social activities with a little makeup to cover up residual bruising. (William Portuese, MD, Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon)
In our practice we recommend approximately two weeks for facial plastic surgery recovery. (Stuart B. Kincaid, MD, FACS (in memoriam), Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)
Recovery time on a lower facelift depends on the surgeon and what is done in the neck as well as the bruising which varies from patient to patient. I tell patients that 2 weeks is average. (Toby Mayer, MD, Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon)
1-2 weeks, 3-6 months to final result
in general, it will be at least 1-2 weeks before you feel comfortable going out in public. He will probably feel like yourself before that time frame. Bruising and swelling would be the reasons you want to stay in. (Ethan Philpott, MD, Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon)
The amount of recovery will depend on the extent of your facelift. In general most patients are able to resume their social activities at 1-2 weeks and exercise after 2-3 weeks. (Jill Hessler, MD, Palo Alto Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Lower Facelift / Necklift Recovery Time
A lower facelift is, in my definition, a necklift, for it tightens up the neckline and can be extended to smooth out the jowls. With most of the incision made behind the ear and extending into the neck hairline, it can be nicely concealed within 7 to 10 days.
Furthermore, bruising is usually resolved by this time period. (Jeffrey Epstein, MD, FACS, Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Plan on Resting for up to 2 Weeks
The recovery period following lower facelift surgery varies from patient to patient, and some patients are more comfortable going back to work earlier than others.
In my experience as a facial plastic surgeon, most facelift patients return to normal social activities — including work — about 10 to 14 days after the surgery.
For women, makeup can help camouflage any lingering bruising or other discoloration.
If you’re planning to attend an important event, such as a wedding or class reunion, I tell my patients to schedule the surgery at least 1 month beforehand, and earlier if possible. (Brenton B. Koch, MD, FACS, Des Moines Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Following a lower facelift, there is undeniably a period during which most patients prefer not to be seen in public due to the appearance of expected swelling and bruising.
Most people are able to resume public appearances within 10-12 days with the use of makeup and hair styling to help conceal any residual bruising or early scar discoloration. (James M. Pearson, MD, Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon)
While most people are feeling pretty good at 5 days, most decide to go out in public around the 10-14 day mark when the swelling has subsided significantly and the bruising (if any) is gone. Different facelifts have different recoveries (as well as when other things are added like eyelids and brows or laser resurfacing), so it’s best to consult with a plastic surgeon who can give you more accurate guidance based on the procedures that are right for you. (Michael A. Epstein, MD, FACS, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)