Diet

          There is no restriction on your diet.  You may resume your regular diet immediately after surgery.

Activity

          You will be asked to keep the head of your bed elevated while you sleep.  You should also keep your head up during the day and avoid bending over.  This helps with the swelling.  You should avoid strenuous activity for the first two weeks.  It is also important to stay out of the sun for several months.  In terms of return back to work, you are usually able to return in ten days to two weeks with make-up.  By the third week after a facelift, you are usually back to your normal daily routine. 

Wound Care

          There should only be mild discomfort after a facelift.  If there is severe pain, you should contact your plastic surgeon.  Temporary numbness of the skin is normal and may take a few weeks or months to resolve.  There is some mild bruising and swelling which resolves in one to two weeks.  Wound care is straight forward.  Skin stitches are usually removed in five days.  The stitches or staples in the scalp region usually stay in a little longer.  If drains were placed at the time of surgery, they will be removed when the drainage has slowed down to the appropriate volume.  The scar may initially be red and raised, but usually softens up and lightens in color with time.

Disclaimer:  This informational facelift web site is intended solely to provide a basic understanding of facelift surgery.  The views on facelift surgery shared by the author may differ from the views on facelift surgery of your plastic surgeon.  Results from facelift surgery can vary from one person to another.  This facelift web site is in no way a guarantee or warranty of the results you may obtain with facelift surgery.  For additional information on facelift surgery contact your Plastic Surgeon or the American Society of Plastic Surgery.  Thank you for your interest in facelift surgery.