A facelift is one of the more complex cosmetic surgery procedures because of the intricate facial features that must be in balance and harmony with each other.
The surgeon will lift the skin off the face to perform tightening of the weak tissue and muscles underneath and removal of excess skin. Therefore, recovery is a significant component in facelift surgery.
Recovery period can vary from one patient to another depending on the surgical technique used, the degree of correction performed, and the patient’s inherent ability to heal. Board certified and successful female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides facelift to patients in Houston, Texas and surrounding communities. Dr. Hustak will discuss the recovery aspect with the patient at the time of initial consultation.
Recovery in case of facelift plastic surgery will involve a few aspects in addition to the physical recovery. These will include emotional recovery, social recovery and recovery of natural skin sensation. The procedure involves the facial identity and integrity of the patient, which makes emotional and social aspects nearly as important as the physical aspect. Recovery period typically varies between two and three weeks.
Sutures and drain tubes are removed in about a week to 10 days, following which the patient can resume their normal activities or return to work. But if the patient wants to keep the procedure very discreet, they may want to stay home for at least two weeks for the signs of surgery to subside. Some residual swelling will persist even after two weeks, but it can be camouflaged with makeup.
After the first week, bruising will rapidly diminish. Patients with a thin face are at an advantage because the mild facial swelling may appear only as a subtle fullness of the face, and may be less noticeable. The treated sites in the face will significantly improve and mature by the third week. Numbness of the skin will be experienced by most patients around the ears, but it usually resolves on its own in a few weeks.
Areas that support the sutures will be slightly firm, but it will not be visible to others. The surgeon will provide detailed post-operative care instructions, which the patient should diligently follow for a quicker and safer recovery. Experienced and golden female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas and other communities and town in this part of the country for facelift surgery.
In the first week, the patient should avoid driving because the mild stiffness in the lower face and neck may cause pain while turning the head. As long as the patient is taking pain meds, they should anyway refrain from driving. On their first drive after the procedure, the patient should ideally have another person accompanying them who can manage the situation in case the patient feels fatigued.
Patients with a highly socially active lifestyle will have to choose when they want to resume their regular social engagements and live their life as they used too with type of confidence in public and social settings. The conspicuous signs of the surgery will take at least two weeks to subside. The patient may consider making subtle changes to hairstyle and wear more makeup to camouflage the visible signs of a facelift.
For more information on procedures and treatments provided by board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak please call us to schedule a consultation at 713.322.7265 or click here. Offices in Houston, Texas.