Pain Following a Facelift Procedure

Facelift procedures remain one of the most popularly requested cosmetic surgery procedures, especially among patients over the age of 40. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there were approximately 133,000 facelift procedures performed in 2013 by plastic surgeons who were members of the ASPS. This was an increase of 6 percent from 2012, in which ASPS plastic surgeons performed 126,320 facelift procedures.

Given the popularity of facelift procedures, it should not be surprising that those who are considering undergoing a facelift procedure will reach out to family and friends who have had the procedure to find out what it was like for them. They may want information about cost, results, and healing time. Of course, one of the most popular questions about facelift surgery is the amount of pain that occurs following the procedure. Although each patient’s pain responses are unique, having some idea of the amount of pain involved in recovery can help a prospective patient decide whether or not a facelift procedure is the right option for them.

Facelift Procedure

There is a variety of facelift techniques that can be performed, depending on the amount of work the patient desires. The techniques may target the entire face, or just certain sections, such as the lower or mid-face. In general, a facelift procedure involves a series of incisions strategically placed along the hairline and behind the ear. The facial skin, tissue, and underlying muscle are then gently lifted, pulled tight, re-draped over the facial structure, and sutured back into place.

Healing Timeline

During the recovery period, you can expect:

Immediate postoperative period: Most patients require pain medicine for the first three to four days following their facelift procedure. Patients may also experience a tingling or itching sensation around the incision site. It is important to take all pain medicine as prescribed.

One to two weeks: By this point, most of the initial surgical pain will have dissipated and the incisions should be closed over. At the point, patients will experience more of a feeling of tightness or soreness to the face than actual pain. Any lingering pain can usually be treated with over the counter pain killers by this point.

Three weeks and beyond: By this point, most patients should be able to resume normal activities, such as driving to school or work. Any lingering sensations of tightness, burning, or itching should start to subside at three to four weeks after the procedure.

If patients do experience severe pain following a facelift procedure, particularly if it is accompanied by swelling that is more prominent on one side of the face than the other, they should schedule a follow-up appointment immediately. This may be a hematoma, in which blood or fluid has collected beneath the skin’s surface. This is a rare but serious complication following a facelift procedure.

The staff at Jefferson Plastic Surgery believes in being up front with patients about the expectations for pain following a facelift procedure. Patients who have a reasonable idea of what to expect are far more likely to be patient with their healing process and their ultimate results.