You generally need to sleep sitting up (head elevated) after a facelift for at least 1 to 2 weeks, but sometimes up to 4 weeks, depending on your surgeon's advice and healing, to minimize swelling, promote blood flow, and protect stitches by sleeping on your back with your head raised on pillows or in a recliner. Avoiding flat sleeping or side/stomach sleeping is crucial to prevent fluid buildup, pressure on incisions, and potential disruption of healing tissues.
On average, patients should plan to spend about 2 – 3 weeks sleeping with their head propped up after facelift surgery, though this can vary based on the nature and extent of the procedure.
It takes about 2 to 4 weeks to fully recover from a facelift. You need to take this time off work. Bruising is visible for at least 2 weeks. It could take up to 6 to 9 months to see the full effect of the facelift.
Why do I need to sleep upright post-surgery? Here at MYA we advise all breast surgery and rhinoplasty patients to sleep propped upright after their surgery for a minimum of 2 weeks. Sleeping at a 45-degree angle helps to reduce post-op swelling and encourages symmetry.
Most patients wear their compression garments for about two weeks after their facelift, neck lift, or neck liposuction procedures. This depends on several factors including the rate at which you heal. Through post-op appointments, Dr.
Ignoring your surgeon's advice and sleeping without your garment prematurely can lead to: Increased Swelling: Lack of support may cause excessive swelling, prolonging the recovery period. Uneven Healing: Without proper compression, the tissues may settle improperly, resulting in an uneven or lumpy appearance.
You can use a cool or heat compress to help with the swelling. Sleep with your head elevated as it will minimise swelling and promote healing. In the first week, feel free to walk around your house for 15 to 20 minutes. Gradually, build up the duration to 30 minutes as you feel better.
You must wear your sling at all times, including night time (6 to 8 weeks in the sling depending on the type of replacement surgery you have had). The only times you may take it off are: Dressing, bathing, and exercising your hand, wrist, and elbow.
How to Sleep Upright
There are instances where side sleeping may not be “okayed” by a doctor, especially for those who undergo certain spinal or hip surgeries. Nevertheless, if your doctor determines it is safe for you to sleep on your side, you may do so as long as you have a support mechanism tucked between your knees or ankles.
Facelift recovery Weeks 3 and 4
At weeks 3 and 4, you still may have some residual swelling and tightness, but for the most part, will start looking and feeling much better.
After the dressings are removed, shower and wash your hair. Use warm not hot water (much as you would wash an infant.) Use only baby shampoo. Let the water run through your hair to remove all dried blood and surgical soap.
First and foremost, drink plenty of water! Water serves a lot of functions in the body and will be particularly good to reduce swelling after surgery. Many patients wonder if adding more water to the body can only make swelling worse, but the truth is that it really helps with swelling.
Measures like maintaining an elevated head position while resting, applying ice packs intermittently, and getting ample rest contribute significantly to minimizing swelling. Meticulous attention to wound care is also imperative for expediting healing following Deep Plane Facelift surgery.
Night is a regenerative time when healing and recovery occur. Your sleep position can affect that process depending on how effectively the spine is supported. Proper positioning can relieve stress on the spine and provide quality sleep which benefits overall health.
Try not to excessively smile, grin, frown, chew or talk during the first week after a facelift. These movements can increase swelling and slow down healing. This is especially true in the first week after surgery.
The 3-2-1 bedtime method is a simple sleep hygiene strategy: stop eating 3 hours before bed, stop working 2 hours before bed, and stop using screens (phones, tablets, TVs) 1 hour before sleep, helping your body transition to rest by reducing stimulants and digestive load for better sleep quality. A more detailed version adds 10 hours (no caffeine) and 0 (no snoozing) for a 10-3-2-1-0 rule.
It is not healthy nor an unhealthy practice as long as you are able to rest comfortably. Some people find it comfortable to sleep when traveling or working a long office shift. However, some people might end up with neck and back aches and disturbed sleep.
The unhealthiest sleeping position is generally considered to be sleeping on your stomach (prone position), as it forces your neck to twist and flattens the natural curve of your spine, leading to neck, back, and shoulder pain, numbness, and poor sleep quality. An overly curled fetal position is also harmful, causing joint stiffness and restricted breathing, while sleeping on your back can worsen snoring and sleep apnea for some individuals.
Remove Your Sling or Immobilizer Early
You risk proper healing, which could lead to pain or discomfort in later stages of recovery or even cause long-term problems. Your surgeon and physical therapist will allow you to remove the sling for certain safe exercises.
SLEEPING: For the first 6 weeks your sling should be kept on while you are in bed. You may find it more comfortable to sleep on your back initially, with a pillow under your operated arm for support. You may also find it more comfortable to sleep in a semi-sitting position.
This study found that the absence of a sling was associated with better outcomes, including earlier mobility and better functional scores, than sling immobilization.
You can apply an ice pack to the area around your incisions, starting right after surgery and continuing for about four days. Wrap the ice pack in clean gauze or a towel. Don't put the ice directly on your skin. Leave the ice pack on for up to 15 minutes, then give the area a 20-minute break.
Parts of the face, neck, and ears sometimes feel weak or numb after the facelift operation these feelings are temporary and, if they occur, generally last less than 6 weeks. In some cases, this sensation may last as long as six months, but this is an extremely rare occurrence.
How To Reduce Swelling After Facelift Surgery