How Will I Feel When I Wake Up After my Facelift?

Question :
When I wake up after my facelift surgery, what should I expect? How will I feel and look?

Answer :
You will likely have a compressive dressing on your face and neck immediately following your facelift surgery. Your eyes, nose, and mouth will all be exposed, but the facelift dressing will compress your cheeks, beneath your chin, and neck. You will likely have some facial swelling after your facelift, but, it will not be particularly marked unless you have had other procedures along with your facelift such as, eyelid lift, or facial fat injections. These other procedures in combination with facelift surgery can lead to facial swelling. You should not experience a great deal of post facelift pain but, you will feel some facial pressure and discomfort which will be easily treated with pain medications. Any significant pain following your facelift should be reported to me immediately. Please be patient. Recovery is a slow process but, your swelling and appearance will improve each day.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld