Surgical Procedures - Facial Surgery

FACE LIFT (RHYTIDECTOMY)

Recovery after your facial plastic surgery.

You mayl feel some discomfort but should not experience significant pain after your facial plastic surgery. If you do, medication can be taken to help reduce any pain.. Severe or persistent pain should be reported to your facial surgeon immediately.

What you can expect after your face lift.

Normally, on the day following your face lift you will be brought by car to the Hurlingham Clinic and Spa, and your face lift bandages will be removed. Your hair will be washed and you will be seen by the doctor and the nurse. Any drainage tubes will normally be taken away a day or two after your facial plastic surgery.

Managing your expectations for the few weeks following your face lift.

Remember the pale, bruised and puffy face you see immediately after your face lift will look normal again in just a few weeks. Most of the stitches from your facial plastic surgery will be removed after about five days. Your scalp may take longer to heal, so the stitches or clips in your hairline may be left in a little longer. You may be asked to keep your head elevated for a couple of days to keep swelling down. Some skin numbness is quite normal - normal feeling will return over time, in a few weeks or months after your facial surgery.

Short term side affects of face lifts.

Even after the swelling and bruising has subsided the hair around your temples may be thin and for several months your skin may feel dry and rough. The scars from your face lift will be hidden by your hair or in the natural creases of your face and ears. In any case, they'll fade with time until scarcely visible.

Hurlingham Clinic and Spa's special post-operative face lift care.

Post-operative care of your face lift is a key part of the Hurlingham Clinic and Spa method. Follow your surgeon's advice. After your face lift your face may look and feel strange, features distorted and movements slightly stiff. This is normal.

Immediatelly following your facial surgery, you may feel self-conscious about your scars. Some patients feel disappointed and depressed at this stage, however this is also normal. One or two days after your facial surgery, however, you should be on your feet.

For the next week take things easy and allow your body to use its energy on healing. Your face and scalp will feel tender and numb, and will naturally need gentle handling. All strenuous activity (sexual relations, heavy housework, aerobics) should be avoided for at least two weeks following your facial plastic surgery, but walking and mild stretching exercise are fine.

Getting back to your normal routine after your facial surgery.

By ten to fourteen days after your facial plastic surgery most patients can return to work, even though some bruising from the face lift may persist for a further week. If necessary, special camouflage makeup can mask most bruising that remains.

By the third week after your face lift, you'll look and feel much better but may still tire easily. For several weeks avoid alcohol, steam baths, and saunas. For several months after your facial surgery limit your exposure to strong sunlight