Done under general anesthesia, the procedure typically takes 3-4 hours to complete depending on how extensive your facelift is. Some patients add other facial rejuvenation techniques such as a brow lift or facial fat grafting for more dramatic results.
How Long is Recovery from a Facelift?
The initial recovery takes approximately 1-3 weeks. This will vary depending on the extent of your facelift and how long your body typically takes to recover. While the recovery period varies, the typical timeline is:
Day 1
You will feel unsteady and need pain medication to ease discomfort. You will likely experience swelling, bruising, and soreness for up to a week. Support from family and friends is recommended as you cannot drive yourself home and take care of yourself on the first night.
Day 2-3
You will likely have a follow-up appointment to remove or change the surgical dressing. The doctor will use this time to evaluate your incisions’ healing and the swelling’s extent. You will return home to rest. The swelling typically reaches its height around this time, but you may begin moving as you feel comfortable.
Days 4-6
Most people stop needing prescription painkillers between days 4 and 6. The swelling will start to go down, and you’ll be able to start doing light activities.
