What Should I Expect During My Mini Facelift Recovery?
For a long time patients have turned to facelift surgery to reduce visible signs of aging, such as nasolabial folds, sunken and droopy cheeks, jowls and any other in the middle and lower regions of the face. A mini facelift also known as a lower facelift also helps the aging of the neck, until one feels a more drastic result is needed and gets a neck lift.
This procedure restores ones youthful complexion to an aged complexion in a single treatment. While many mini facelift patients end up discovering that their recovery period is much less intensive as they were expecting, it is important to know what you are getting into before you go into surgery.
What Will it Be Like Returning Home From the Procedure?
Mini facelift surgery is an outpatient treatment, which means that, in most cases, you will be able to return home after your anesthesia wears off. Dr. Simoni operates an on-site, fully certified outpatient surgery center for patients’ safety and convenience. There is very little care required after a mini facelift. A friend or a family member can easily take care of the patient for the first 24 to 48 hours. After that, most patients can perform everyday tasks and errands, such as simple food preparation, walking around the house, and bathroom visits.
It is a surgery at the end of the day so a mini facelift surgery requires certain precautions, and you have to accept that there will be some downtime and mild to moderate discomfort. Even though we do not require strict bed rest, we encourage the patients to rest the first day, then gradually get up and around. Having a calm and restful environment at home is important. It is not uncommon to feel somewhat tired for the first 48 hours. Most of our patients experience only mild swelling and bruising.
Oral pain medication, cold compresses, or over-the-counter pain medications can help remedy any discomfort. Keeping your head elevated when you are resting will help with your blood circulation, which in turn will reduce swelling. Our office will provide easy to follow written instructions.
How Should I Care for My Incisions?
A Mini facelift incisions start at the hairline near the temples and curve around toward the back of the ear. Dr. Simoni has perfected the incision placement to avoid any tell-tale signs of a mini facelift. All of the scalp hair is meticulously preserved. Typically the incisions heal in a subtle way as not to be perceived.
The incisions do not require any special care. Dr. Simoni personally changes the bandages and thoroughly inspects the incisions. Simple instructions will be given after the bandages are changed. Typically patients are allowed to wash their hair and get the incisions wet after about three days.
Healing incisions must be kept out of the sun, some creams will be prescribed for optimum care. Please do not treat your incisions on your own without specific instructions from your surgeon.
When Can I Return to Work?
Everyone recovers at different rates, on average most mini facelift patients are up to returning to work and their regular routines after 10 to 14 days. By this point, the majority of the bruising and swelling will have subsided, and any remaining marks can be covered with makeup.
Facelift patients should still be cautious about over-exerting themselves or placing any excess strain on the face or incisions, it can prolong the recovery time
How Do I Maintain My Results?
The effects of your mini facelift will remain visible for many years as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is important to remember that mini facelift surgery can only target the visible aging that is present at the time of the procedure. There is no treatment that will prevent future aging from occurring.
Sun damage is the quickest way to reverse the effects of your mini facelift. To avoid additional damage to your skin, wear sunscreen regularly, wear sunglasses and a hat that will cover the face and neck as often as possible.
For more information about what to expect after your mini facelift, contact Dr. Simoni by calling (310) 360-1360 or by filling out our online contact form.