Most of the swelling and bruising dissipates within 10-14 days. While most patients are able to return to work at this point, some may choose to wait another 5-7 days depending on their comfort level. Final results from a facelift begin to appear around 4-6 weeks and continue to improve over a year’s time. Thus, it is recommended to schedule your surgery a full 3 months in advance of any special events you are planning to attend.