Each patient will be provided with written post-operative instructions specific to their procedure. In general, you will be given prescriptions for antibiotics, pain relievers, and stool softeners. Facelift patients will have a facial compression dressing overnight after surgery, which is removed the following morning. Dr. Indeyeva does not use drains for facelift surgery.
Most facial surgery will require icing your face and sleeping with your upper body elevated (in a recliner or adjustable bed or wedge pillow) for about 6 weeks post-op. You will need to cleanse your incisions with hydrogen peroxide about 6 times each day, followed by the application of bacitracin ointment. Dr. Indeyeva typically removes sutures and surgical staples 1 week after surgery. Dr. Indeyeva makes herself available for her patients to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
You should expect some degree of swelling, bruising, lumpiness, tightness, numbness, skin discoloration, and soreness after your facelift procedure. You will receive post-operative instructions and specific medications to ease any discomfort and facilitate recovery. These symptoms are usually temporary, disappearing as healing progresses. It is normal to feel little pings, zings, and itches as the recovery progresses. This is a normal part of healing, and it is important not to scratch or disturb these areas.
Most patients should be able to return to work and carefully resume driving in 14 days. Makeup can be worn after 10 days. Patients should not turn their heads against tightness, lie on their sides, or engage in heavy lifting during this time. Doing so can interfere with healing and place tension on the deep sutures beneath the skin, which could cause them to loosen, widen scars, and generally lead to less than favorable results. For the best results and better scars, these activities should be avoided for at least 6 weeks following surgery.
As a general rule, about 80% of swelling dissipates in 2 weeks, and 90% of swelling is generally gone by 2 months. While you will look younger right away, facelifts continue to show subtle refinement for a significant period of time. Therefore, it is critical not to evaluate the results of your surgery too soon.
You may experience some hair thinning in areas adjacent to the suture lines at the temple, forehead/scalp, or behind the ear. This usually occurs when surgical trauma “shocks” the hair follicles. The incisions are designed so that the hair in the temporal and post-auricular areas should grow right through the scars, and the hair generally re-grows over time.
Vigilant sun protection and medical-grade skincare are vital in maintaining the results of your facelift and preserving your investment. Dr. Indeyeva will be happy to customize a medical-grade skincare regimen for your unique skin type and concerns.