As we age our skin loses its elasticity and becomes thinner, causing wrinkles, creases and folds of skin to appear.
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, is an operation to tighten and lift skin and soft tissues.
The surgery may lead to a long-term change that will hold your youthful and vibrant appearance, but is the recovery period too much?
In this guide, we will cover all of the key factors of this surgery and go into detail about the recovery process.
What is a Facelift?
A facelift procedure is a cosmetic surgery that is designed to lift up and pull back the skin on your face, equalising in a tighter, smoother look.
A facelift involves the removal of excess facial fat and the tightening of facial muscles, this will result in a smoother, firmer facial appearance.
The surgeon will separate the skin from the underlying fat and muscle, and then the fat is removed.
It is often for people who experience issues with unwanted wrinkles, jowls and sagging skin.
You may lose youthful contours in the face for various reasons, including, sun damage, smoking, thinning of skin as well as heredity and stress.
What Can Affect Facelift Recovery Time?
Age
While patients of all ages can fully heal and experience an impactful result, the length of recovery time might increase the older you are.
This is due to the physiological changes that occur in your body.
This does not mean that you are unable to get a facelift, just keep in mind that it may take longer to heal.
Health
Certain medical conditions can play a crucial part in whether or not you are suitable for a facelift.
Patients with high blood pressure and diabetes have a much higher risk of complications, it is possible to interfere with wound healing.
This means the recovery process will be much harder and your surgeon may even disqualify you from this procedure.
Post Surgery Care
Unnecessary pain and complications of the infection can intensify if the care instructions are not followed carefully.
The success of the surgery is not only up to the surgeon, the patient plays a big part in this procedure too.
No matter the experience of the surgeon, it is impossible to receive perfect results if the patients do not properly take care of themselves after the surgery.
The patient needs to understand the time and effort required to ensure the patient receives all the positive changes associated with a facelift.
What are the Different Types of Facelift?
Mini Face-lift
This form of facelift often concentrates on the lower third of the face, including the cheeks, jowls, and neck.
This procedure is able to lift the deeper facial structures, without requiring the surgeon to go any deeper.
This procedure aims to tighten and raise the skin and supporting tissues in these areas for a youthful looking outcome.
Mid Face-lift
A mid-facelift is also known as a cheek fit.
This procedure tightens the skin from the upper mouth to the eye area, this can help with under eyes appearing less sunken.
It is important to know that this surgery does not target the jawline or forehead, unlike some facelift procedures.
Lower Facelift
A lower facelift targets everything below the corners of the mouth.
This procedure lifts and tightens loose skin.
It helps smooth deep wrinkles in the lower third of the face.
Traditional Facelift
The traditional facelift is considered the most well known facelift procedure, as it’s been around for quite a few decades.
A traditional facelift incision is considered to be a major surgery.
The incision starts at your temples and continues down and around the front of your ears.
This procedure is quite an invasive cosmetic surgery and is used to reposition the skin and muscles on the face and neck, which also improves the overall jawline.
There are also other facial surgeries such as chin augmentation that can help you change your appearance.
What to Expect with Facelift Recovery?
The key thing to remember is that it is a time consuming process.
Once the surgery is completed, it could take up to 6 to 9 months to see the full effect of the facelift.
Following the surgery, you will not be able to drive for a number of days, so ensure you have time off prepared for after your procedure.
What to do Immediately After Surgery
Immediately after surgery, it is common to feel unsteady and tired.
It is crucial to have family or friends to be with you at this time to ensure you get through your first day safely.
Day one tends to be the time you experience the worst pain, you can maintain this with medication to stay on top of the discomfort you are feeling.
What to do in the First Week After Surgery?
In the first few days, rest and swelling control is crucial.
Tips to reduce swelling
- Use ice or cold pack
- Avoid hot showers
- Avoid eating or drinking hot items
- Avoid smoking or drinking
Your skin will feel quite numb, and this will take several months for a normal sensation to return.
Rest, downtime and a healthy diet will give your body the tools it needs to recover the best and quickest it can.
What to do in the First Month
Once you make it through the first two or three weeks, most patients have gained the strength to return back to normal activities and work.
This is when the strict restrictions finally begin to ease.
While some activities may still be off-limits, many patients find they can gradually reintroduce certain things back into their daily routine.
We strongly advise you to not resume strenuous physical activities for six weeks to allow the tissues to fully recover.
Key Things You Need to Do for the Whole Process
It is crucial for a patient to understand the entire process before proceeding with a facelift surgery.
A facelift can significantly change and enhance the structure of your face, and can definitely be beneficial as the years go on.
But it requires a dedicated and time consuming process where every step should be planned out and prepared for.
Why Taking Doctor’s Recommendations Seriously is Important
Often patients have unrealistic expectations for their results, but doctors will provide a realistic outcome.
Taking doctor’s recommendations is extremely important to ensure you have a smooth recovery.
No matter how well the surgery goes, if rules are not followed you may risk losing all of your potential progress.
Facelift Procedures at The New Birkdale Clinic
As you can see the facelift procedure takes a lot of time, planning and effort, but can have a transformative outcome.
At New Birkdale Clinic, we have various facelift options available.
If you would like some more information from our specialist then please contact us.
