A facelift surgery in Huntsville, AL can optimize your look in a safe and effective way by decreasing or getting rid of loose skin, fine lines, puffiness in the neck, as well as additional signs of aging. Before a big occasion, you may desire to stand out among the crowd. Well, thanks to facelift surgery you can definitely turn heads by looking your best at the big event. With adequate preparation and planning, you will be able to recover quickly so you won’t miss the event. The results are long-lasting with minimal pain, scar tissue, and healing time.
Recovery differs from person to person and is based on a variety of factors. So, there are no guarantees of how things will turn out during your recovery. The timeline below explains how long it will take before you actually see your results.
Day One of Facelift Healing
Following the surgery, you will have to stay overnight in the hospital and will be cared for by a skilled nurse. Please keep in mind that you will need a relative or friend to drive you home, and though it’s not required, it is really a smart idea to have another person with you for 1-2 days.
First Week of Facelift Healing
For the first two weeks, you will most probably experience swelling and tightness. To alleviate discomfort, prescribed pain killers will be provided. Because each patient’s pain tolerance is different, your pain treatment plan will be personalized as well. During the first week, your main objective should be to rest and heal. You should avoid strenuous activity and keep your head motion to a minimum. Keep in mind not to force yourself to recover so soon after surgery.
Within a week after your surgery, you will be scheduled for an appointment. The cosmetic surgeon will explain the healing time in detail prior to your surgical procedure. He or she will evaluate your progress and give you a personalized set of instructions to help direct you and reduce your healing time.
Second Week of Facelift Healing
Your face may still appear swollen, scarred, or bruised. Don’t worry, this is completely normal. Some swelling may even occur over the course of a few months following the procedure. In most cases, you’ll begin to look and feel better within two weeks, enabling you to participate in much more social events.
Many patients feel good enough to return to work after two weeks. However, it depends on their job requirements. You will be permitted to exercise after one week, but you will be limited on the type of exercises you can perform. In other words, you will not be able to lift heavy weights and participate in intense workouts. By the third week of recovery, it will be safe to incorporate more strenuous activities.
As any lingering post-surgical swelling dissipates, you’ll notice steady improvement. You will be able to see more results after about one month. However, optimal results will be seen after six months.
A facelift can provide long-term benefits for many years. Although everyone’s aging process is different, many patients will not need an additional facelift for another 12-14 years.
When Should I Get a Facelift Before a Big Event?
It is advisable to have a facelift at least a month or two prior to a social event. If you desire additional surgery, such as a blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery, you may want to have the surgery three months earlier. Nevertheless, you must also take into account the time required to complete the initial consultation and schedule your surgical procedure.