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Facelift
What can I expect afterwards?

After your surgery, there is usually some bruising of the cheeks and with gravity this tends to descend into the neck. Discomfort is usually mild for 24 to 48 hours and can be controlled with paracetamol. It is normal for there to be some numbness of the skin of the cheeks and ears. This will usually disappear in a few weeks or months. It is better to keep the head elevated for a couple of days following surgery to reduce swelling. Drainage tubes, if used, will be removed a day or two after surgery. You should avoid strenuous activity, saunas and massage for at least two weeks. Gentle mobilisation is encouraged after surgery but exaggerated movements of the head should be avoided to reduce the risk of soft tissue bleeding. Initially, your face will look a little puffy and may feel rather strange and stiff. The scars can be very well hidden by women with their hair and disc-shaped earrings. This allows them to resume work and social activities within a couple of weeks. Camouflage make-up can help hide the bruising.

Men find it more difficult to disguise the scars and will need to shave their beard closer to the ear in front, as well as behind the ear, where the skin has been lifted.

The scars within the hair do not usually show when healed. There may be a slight reduction in hair growth in the temples but this is not usually a problem unless the hair is very thin and repeated facelifts have been carried out.

Depending on your surgeon's preference, you may be advised to take your head dressing  off at home the day before you come for your first appointment visit. Once the dressing is removed, you can wash your hair with a mild shampoo. When shampooing, avoid hanging your head down and using a hair dryer on a hot setting, as your skin will be numb for a while and you could burn yourself.

Suture removal will start around the fourth post-operative day and all sutures will be removed by seven to nine days. There is a very good blood supply to the face and your scars should settle down quickly. You should avoid exposing your scars to direct sunlight for several weeks after surgery and use a sun block. You can wear make-up before your first visit appointment but keep it away from the stitches.

You should take it easy for the first couple of weeks following a facelift procedure. Depending on the nature of your work and the type of procedure you have had done, you may return to work when you are comfortable and after the sutures have been removed.

 

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