If you are considering a facelift, you may be worried about pain during recovery. Although it is normal to have some discomfort after surgery, it can be minimized by taking pain medications as prescribed by your rhytidectomy surgeon.
Swelling and bruising typically peak three to four days after your surgery, but you should start to feel better in two weeks.
1. Pain
A facelift surgery can have a dramatic impact on the way you look, but many patients are concerned about how painful it will be during recovery. The good news is that most facelift patients experience far less pain than they expected, says our best cosmetic surgeon.
When you’re recovering from a facelift, it is important to take pain medication as prescribed to control discomfort. Swelling and bruising should peak three to four days after the procedure, but most swelling will dissipate in the first 3 – 4 weeks following surgery.
You should keep your head elevated to decrease swelling and bruising. Also, make sure you are getting plenty of sleep to allow for a smooth recovery.
2. Swelling
Swelling associated with a facelift is one of the more common side effects that can be uncomfortable for patients. However, this is a normal part of the healing process and should resolve in a few weeks with proper care.
After a facelift surgery, it is important to follow the instructions of our best Plastic Surgeon in India regarding the use of ice to reduce swelling. This will help fluids drain and prevent infection from developing.
It is also recommended that you drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and promote good blood flow throughout your recovery. This will prevent dangerous clots from forming and help your facial skin to heal.
The majority of swelling should settle down after about 3 – 4 weeks. Our best plastic surgeon will closely monitor your swelling and progress to ensure that it resolves as expected.
3. Bruising
After facelift surgery in India, it’s normal to have a slight amount of bruising. This is a natural reaction to injury and can be minimized by following post-op instructions.
Generally, swelling and bruising will subside within two weeks. However, if you have a hematoma during your surgery, the swelling can last longer.
Hematomas are a common complication that occur during most cosmetic surgeries, and can interfere with wound healing and skin rebuilding.
Bruising from a facelift is typically yellowish green in color, and it usually resolves after a couple of weeks. Patients who have more serious bruising or develop a hematoma will notice discoloration of their skin, which can appear as a black, blue, purple, green, or yellow.
4. Numbness
Patients who undergo facelift Surgery can experience temporary numbness as sensory nerves become temporarily detached from the skin. This usually resolves in 3-6 weeks, though in some cases it may last for several months.
This numbness is caused by cutting of small nerves that are distributed throughout the tissues of the face. As the nerves grow back and reconnect, they will regain sensation.
The most common areas where numbness can occur after facelift Surgery are the folds below the nose (nasolabial folds) and under the eyes. These areas are supplied by the infraorbital nerve.
5. Tightness
In the days and weeks following a facelift Surgery, parts of your face may feel tight. This is due to swelling caused by the procedure, which should subside over time.
You may also experience numbness and a tingling sensation in other areas of your face, which should subside as well.
Conclusion
Another common side effect after a facelift is swelling around the ears and neck. This is often due to lymphatic drainage that gathers in the earlobes and can be treated by gentle massage and avoiding heavy earrings. The amount of swelling is variable, but it typically begins to go down after 2 weeks. After that, it should slowly improve over 3-6 months.
