Face Lift

Recovery

After a face lift surgery you will be sent home from the hospital on the same or next day. You will have a compression garment around the sides of your face to minimize post-operative swelling and bleeding.

Your face will be sore for 3- 4 days, and you will be able to resume work in a week or so.

You have to avoid exposure to direct sunlight for at least one month afterwards to minimize pigmentation of the scar.

Complications

A minor complication has little risk to the patient's life. The causes for minor complications include unpredictable factors such as a patient's wound healing ability, failure to follow instructions, or just bad luck such as an unexpected allergic reaction to a drug.

The most common side effect of a face lift is swelling and bruising of the face. These usually resolve in 10 – 12 days.

The scars of a facelift may become prominent and visible in some patients, and may even need minor corrective surgery.

A blood clot or hematoma may form under the skin, causing pain and discomfort. This may need removal with a needle and syringe, or may call for a minor procedure.

There is usually some numbness of the face since some nerves are invariably damaged. This is usually temporary, and resolves in a few months, but in rare cases can be permanent.

In rare cases, infection may occur, and possibly result in a small wound developing along the suture line. This is treated aggressively with medicines, and the resultant scar may not be as good as desired.