How to Prepare for Your Facelift Recovery

As sure as gravity works, aging takes its toll on the skin. Over time, your face loses elasticity, and things start to sag in places you’d rather they didn’t. Although this is simply part of the natural aging process, you don’t have to accept it. With a facelift, you can reverse the signs of aging in your face. 

At OasisMD Lifestyle Healthcare in San Diego and Temecula, our team has built a reputation for delivering exceptional results. However, how well you prepare for your recovery plays a significant role in determining the smoothness of your healing and the quality of your results. 

Here, we walk you through everything you need to know, from what to expect in the days after surgery to how to get your home and your life ready before you go under the knife.

What to expect during facelift recovery

A facelift is a significant surgical procedure, which means your body needs real time to heal. In the first few days after surgery, swelling and bruising are completely normal. Your face will feel tight, tender, and a little foreign. Most people also experience numbness or a tingling sensation as the nerves begin to settle. This is a routine part of the healing process.

You’ll likely have small drainage tubes and bandages in place for the first day or two to reduce fluid buildup and protect the area. By the end of the first week, most of the initial swelling has gone down, and many people feel well enough to move around the house more comfortably. 

We’ll likely clear you to return to light activity after about two weeks, though strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are usually prohibited for four to six weeks. 

Set up a recovery space at home

Getting your physical space ready before surgery will save you a lot of stress when you come home afterward.  Designate a comfortable recovery spot, such as a recliner or a bed with several firm pillows. Keeping your head elevated above your heart for the first week is crucial to reducing swelling. A recliner works great for this, but if you’re recovering in bed, stack enough pillows to keep your head and upper body propped up at a comfortable angle.

Stock the area with everything you’ll need within arm’s reach: a phone charger, TV remote, water bottle, medications, gauze, and anything else you use regularly. Have soft, loose clothing ready. Button-up shirts and zip-up tops are ideal because you won’t have to pull anything over your head, which could disturb your bandages or incisions.

Stock up on the right supplies

You’ll want to have soft, easy-to-eat foods on hand for the first few days. Soups, smoothies, yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and anything that doesn’t require much chewing are good choices. 

Keep plenty of water on hand and avoid alcohol in the weeks following surgery, as it can interfere with healing and increase swelling. We’ll also likely advise you to avoid blood-thinning medications like ibuprofen and aspirin in the weeks before and after surgery, so make sure you’re stocked up on approved pain relief options.

Ice packs or cold compresses help manage swelling in the early days. You can also use frozen peas wrapped in a cloth; just make sure you’re never applying ice directly to the skin.

Follow your pre-surgery instructions closely

We’ll provide you with a specific set of pre-op instructions, and you must follow them. These typically include stopping certain medications and supplements that can increase bleeding risk. If you smoke, we’ll ask you to stop well in advance of surgery. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin, which slows healing and compromises your results.

You’ll also be instructed not to eat or drink anything after midnight before your surgery day. This is a standard safety requirement for any procedure involving anesthesia.

A facelift can change how you feel about the face you see in the mirror. It’s a significant procedure, and recovery is a commitment. However, when you go in prepared, the process is far more manageable than most people expect. 

If you’re ready to shave years off your face, schedule a consultation with us at OasisMD Lifestyle Healthcare today.