Face lift
After care
- After your operation, you will need to stay in hospital for 1 to 2 nights.
- There is likely to be bruising around the eyes, cheeks and neck, and this may last for about 3 weeks.
- There will also be swelling. Most of this will settle within 2 to 3 weeks, but staying upright during the day, propping yourself up with pillows during the night for 4 days, and avoiding too much bending will encourage it to settle sooner. Resting cool packs on your face may also help.
- You will have stitches around your ears. Some may be dissolvable, others may need to be removed at your follow-up appointment. You can wash gently around this area with water after your surgery, but avoid rubbing and do not use a flannel.
- Depending on the type of face lift you have, there may be staples behind your ears at the side of your scalp. If so, they will be removed at your follow-up appointment.
- You can gently wash your hair with water after your operation, and with a mild shampoo 2 to 3 days later. Avoid rubbing the wound site with your hands or a towel. Do not use any hair dyes for several weeks.
- You may be able to feel the knots and ends of the dissolvable stitches under your skin for some weeks – they do go eventually.
- It will feel lumpy under the skin of the cheeks following a face lift. The best way to treat this is to gently massage the area with upward circular movements twice a day for 5 minutes with a moisturising cream. You should start doing this 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, or when the bruising and swelling have settled.
- Your face will feel tight and numb following the operation. Later, you may feel a tingling sensation in the skin which returns to normal over six months. You should wear a sun block during this time to avoid burning.
- Depending on your occupation, you may consider returning to work in two weeks.
- Driving should be avoided for two weeks following your surgery.
- Strenuous exercise should be avoided for 4 to 5 weeks after surgery. This includes jogging, repeated bending, heavy housework or any activity that increases your blood pressure.
- Minor swelling and bruising can be hidden with camouflage make-up once the stitches have been removed and the wounds have sufficiently healed over. This takes about 10 to 14 days.
- The scars will take 12 to 18 months to fully fade. Some can become lumpy and remain raised for this time. Their final appearance varies from person to person.
Tel 0117 910 2400 Fax 0117 930 4394
Bristol Plastic Surgery , 58 Queen Square , Bristol BS1 4LF