Patients are encouraged to take it easy by eating soft foods and avoiding anything that is too chewy or hard. This is because swelling can make some foods difficult to eat. Here are some examples of meals that are easy to eat after a facelift in Denver, CO: Soups: Pureed or cream-based soups are ideal after surgery.
As with any diet, fruits and vegetables are recommended, especially dark leafy greens. Other good foods include red onions, broccoli, pineapples and apples, and capers to decrease swelling faster. These provide your body with essential vitamins to help you heal and fight infection.
After 24 hours and if you don't feel sick to you stomach, you can eat soft, regular food. Avoid hot/spicy foods for at least 1 week after surgery. Adults should not drink alcohol for at least 2 weeks after surgery.
You might be tempted to treat yourself to all of your favorite meals and snacks while you rest and recover from your facelift surgery. Unfortunately, chewy foods can be uncomfortable or even painful to eat.
Most people recover in 4 to 6 weeks. But it probably will take 6 months or more to see the final result from the surgery. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace.
In general, the results from your facelift will look very good after about 1-month and you'll look your best at 6 months. A facelift can produce long-lasting results for years to come. And while everyone has a unique aging process, many of my patients don't feel they need more work for 12-14 years.
Generally speaking, most patients will need to sleep on their back with their upper body slightly elevated for about 2 – 3 weeks after facelift surgery.
Brush teeth gently with a soft toothbrush only. Avoid manipulation of upper lip and cheeks. You may have difficulty opening your mouth wide or turning your head. As healing takes place and swelling subsides this will improve.
AVOID BENDING OVER OR LIFTING heavy things for one week. Besides aggravating swelling, this may raise the blood pressure and start hemorrhage. AVOID HITTING OR BUMPING YOUR FACE, HEAD AND NECK. It is wise not to pick up small children and you should sleep alone for one week after your operation.
Beginning on day 2 or 3, light walking is recommended to help promote blood flow which speeds healing. Short, easy walks is the only form of exercise that should be undertaken. Many patients start to feel less discomfort over the first few weeks as bruising and swelling subsides.
You'll likely feel the most discomfort your first day, so you should take pain medications to stay on top of it.
Avoid salt, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and refined carbohydrates after your surgery, as these foods can affect your immune system and make you more susceptible to swelling and inflammation. Consuming a high amount of these foods may result in a slower recovery period.
Avoid alcohol, smoking, nicotine, and caffeine, for these will dramatically slow down the healing process.
Generally speaking, patients who undergo facelift surgery will be advised to sleep on their back with their head elevated to about a 30-degree angle for several weeks.
After 48 hours, you can take the chin strap off to wash your hair. In the first week, only use baby shampoo and only apply conditioner to the ends of the hair so that you avoid the incision site. Use lukewarm water when you wash your hair. Usually, you can have your hair washed at the salon 1 week after your surgery.
Be gentle as you wash your face, and use a mild antibacterial cleanser to avoid bacteria build up. Pat your face dry, then mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water and apply with a Q-tip. Your surgeon may have also provided you with an antibiotic ointment to use. Afterward, moisturize to reduce scarring.
A collection of blood (hematoma) under the skin is the most common complication of a face-lift. A hematoma causes swelling and pressure. It usually forms within 24 hours of surgery. When a hematoma forms, prompt treatment with surgery helps prevent damage to the skin and other tissues.
Most patients will be able to take showers again a week after their surgery. This will vary from patient to patient, however, so be sure to follow the instructions provided by your plastic surgeon. If you have drainage tubes in place, you may be asked to avoid showering until the drainage tubes have been removed.
Pain. There is usually very little actual pain following a facelift, but you may experience a deep bruised sensation as a result of the swelling, and your face may seem heavy. The bandage you will wear the first night may seem quite snug under your chin.
Will I be able to smile after a facelift? Yes. Your face will feel somewhat tight for the first week or two after the surgery, and you may have some difficulty smiling. This will go away, and patients will be able to expose their smile and enjoy their rejuvenated appearance.
Avoid Showers for First Few Days After Surgery
It's important for plastic surgery patients to avoid taking showers for the first 48 hours after their surgery. If water gets on the incision sites, it can lead to irritation and infection, making overall recovery longer and more difficult.
It is quite common to feel fatigued after surgery, regardless of whether it was a minor or major procedure. This is because your body expends a lot of energy afterward trying to heal. There is an immune response that kicks in, which can be physically draining as well.
Patients do complain of a feeling of fullness in the ears or pain in the ears for the first few days after surgery. This is caused by swelling, and improves fairly quickly. Most of my patients take prescription pain medication for the first couple of days before transitioning to Motrin or Tylenol.