What’s the Typical Recovery Time for a Facelift?
Facelift surgery is a wonderful way to refresh your appearance, and achieve a more youthful look. The procedure is most often done by men and women in their mid to late 50’s, who are unhappy with how they look, and are unprepared for the changes they see.
Many patients undergoing a facelift are active people who dread the prospect of a long layoff following surgery. As a result, facelift candidates often ask: What is the recovery time for a facelift?
What is a Facelift?
A facelift or “rhytidectomy” is a cosmetic procedure that is done to rejuvenate the face, and give you a more youthful appearance. It is sometimes combined with other procedures such as an eyelid lift or brow lift. This may be needed to achieve optimal results, because the facelift does not affect concerns such as droopy eyelids or forehead lines.
Facelift to Correct Facial Aging
Sagging skin due to loss of elasticity is often a side-effect of the aging process, and it can leave you with wrinkles, creases, jowls, and loose skin on the mid-face and lower half of the face and neck. A facelift is the most effective way to address these issues, and take years off your face.
Facelift Surgery Techniques
There are different techniques that can be used to perform a facelift, and in some cases a ‘mini lift’ is recommended. This procedure is suitable for younger people with minimal skin laxity, and moderate facial aging.
Traditional facelift surgery is performed under general anesthesia, or with IV sedation. The incisions normally extend from the hairline at the temples, and continue in front and behind the ear.
After the incisions are made your surgeon will redistribute the fat on the face, tighten the underlying muscles, and then trim away any excess facial skin. Then he/she will redrape the skin over your face, and close the incisions.
Dressing is applied to the face after the procedure, and will help reduce the swelling. In addition, a drain may be placed under the skin to collect any excess fluid and blood that may accumulate.
What is the Recovery Time for a Facelift?
The typical recovery time from facelift surgery ranges from 2-3 weeks, but healing may be longer for some patients. The recovery time won’t be the same for everyone, as there are several variables that can influence healing, including a pre-existing medical condition. The technique used by the surgeon can also impact the healing time.
Patients should also be aware of the fact that the various parts of the face don’t all heal at the same rate. For example the area beneath the lower eyelids is more susceptible to bruising therefore; recovery will take longer in this region.
After surgery, patients can expect to see some bruising, swelling, and numbness. The bruising and swelling usually lasts for 3-4 weeks, but may persist for up to 3 months. About 70-80% of the swelling is down by the 3rd week, and so most people feel comfortable enough to resume social activities. However, it may take another 3 months before the swelling resolves completely.
Numbness around the ear is also typical after facelift surgery, and this can take 3 months or more to resolve.
What Results Can You Expect?
Healing after facelift surgery takes place gradually, so full results may not be seen until 3-6 months. The face will be visibly younger after healing, as signs of aging such as sagging skin around the jawline and neck, as well as lines around the nose and mouth, will be significantly reduced.
What Can a Facelift Do For You?
- Smooth wrinkles, creases and folds
- Reduce fat that has accumulated in areas such as the jowls and neck
- Firm loose skin in the face and neck
- Restore volume lost in the cheeks
Additional Resources
Video: What is a Facelift?
Average Cost of a Facelift
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost for a facelift is $6,550 (statistics used to calculate the average cost are from 2014 and do not include the costs of anesthesia, operating facility costs, and other related expenses).
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery reports that the cost of a facelift varies widely, ranging from $3,500 – $20,000 based on their national survey results.
Further Reading
- Read the latest news about facelifts at MD.com
- Read the latest skin & beauty news at MD.com
- Read health tips about aging at MD.com
- Read skin & beauty health tips at MD.com
Find a Plastic or Cosmetic Surgeon Near You
- Find a Plastic Surgeon near you in the MD.com Specialists Directory
- Find a Cosmetic Surgeon near you in the MD.com Specialists Directory
Facelifts in Northern California
If you live in northern California and are interested in undergoing facelift surgery, contact board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rudy Coscia. Dr. Coscia will discuss all aspects of the surgery with you, and also let you know what to expect during recovery. Click here to view photos of before & after facelift results on Dr. Coscia’s official website.
Dr. Coscia has offices in Sacramento (916-929-1833), and Roseville (916-773-5559) — click here to contact Dr. Coscia and schedule a consultation today.
Rudy Coscia, MD
Latest posts by Rudy Coscia, MD (see all)
- What’s the Typical Recovery Time for a Facelift? - September 29, 2016
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