Face Lift and Forehead Lift

(Improves heavy cheeks, jowls, and loose skin of the face and neck)

Anesthesia:  General.

Location of operation:  Hospital or surgery center.

Length of surgery:  3-5 hours. When having eyelids surgery and forehead lift as well, the total time may be 4-6 hours.

Length of stay:  An overnight stay may be recommended to monitor hematoma (blood collection under skin) and to ensure that you sleep with your head elevated.

Discomfort:  Mild. Anticipate 1-5 days of pain medication; Tylenol may be adequate. Many patients report little discomfort afterward. If you have pain, contact your surgeon immediately to be certain you do not have a hematoma.

Swelling and Bruising:  Improves in 2 weeks, but will last longer after deep (subperiosteal) face-lift. Your face will feel tight for the first few weeks due to swelling. You can reduce swelling through constant head elevation and frequent application of cold compresses.

Numbness:  Cheek numbness lasts several weeks.

Bandages:  Will be changed in 1-2 days.

Stitches:  Will be removed in 4-10 days (4-6 days for ears and chin, 7-10 days for hairline). Staples may be used behind your hairline. Neither stitch nor staple removal is painful.

Drain:  If your surgeon places a drain at the time of surgery, it will be removed in 1-2 days.

Makeup:  May be worn in 1-2 weeks.

Presentable in Public:  You should be presentable within 2 weeks with the help of makeup. To be certain, allow 3-6 weeks before an important event. If a deep (subperiosteal) lift is planned, allow 1-2 months because swelling will be greater.

Work:  You may feel capable of returning within 5 days, but your appearance will be the limiting factor.

Exercise:  May be resumed in 2-3 weeks.

Final result:  Will be seen in 8-12 weeks following most face-lifts, but in 2-4 months following deep (subperiosteal) face-lift because swelling is worse.