Post-Op Care – Facelift

Overview

This guide explains how to care for yourself after facelift surgery to support safe healing, reduce complications, and achieve the best possible result. Please follow these instructions carefully and contact My Imperial Care if you notice anything unusual.

Hospital stay and discharge

Most patients are discharged according to the surgeon’s medical assessment once they are stable after surgery.

Dressing and compression support

• You will be placed in a head dressing immediately after surgery.
• Do not remove the dressing and keep it dry.
• The dressing will be removed the day after surgery at your postoperative appointment.
• You will then receive a compression jaw bra to wear day and night for one week, followed by night-time use only for the second week.
• Drainage of blood and fluid from the incisions is normal.
• You may have one or two small drainage tubes in the posterior scalp area, which are usually removed at your first postoperative appointment.

Sutures

• Some sutures are removed after one week.
• The remaining sutures are usually removed after two weeks.

Bruising and swelling

• Swelling and bruising are expected after surgery.
• Sleep with your head elevated at a 45-degree angle to help reduce swelling.
• Swelling usually begins to improve after 48 hours.
• Your face may appear more swollen in the mornings, which is normal.
• It may take up to six months for all swelling to fully resolve.

Showering and hair care

• You may wash your hair after the dressings are removed.
• You may shower, but do not swim or immerse your face in bath water until incisions are fully healed.
• Do not use hair chemicals for the first two weeks.
• If using a hair dryer, use a low, cool setting only.
• Brush your hair gently and with extreme care.

Pain and medication

Pain is expected after surgery. Follow all instructions provided with your pain medication.

Driving

• Wait at least 24 hours after anesthesia before driving.
• Do not drive while taking strong pain medication.

Numbness and sensation changes

• Numbness and tingling of the facial skin are common after surgery.
• This may take weeks to several months to fully resolve.

Activity

• Keep your activity level minimal during early recovery.
• Avoid bending your head below your waist.
• Do not return to weight lifting, aerobic exercise, or high-impact activities for 4 weeks.

Hematomas

• Hematomas are collections of blood and fluid under the skin.
• They are rare but must be reported immediately.
• Signs include significant swelling under the skin that appears to be increasing.
• If this occurs, contact us immediately.

Infection warning signs

• Foul-smelling drainage
• Yellow or green discharge
• Fever above 38.3°C (101°F) with chills
• Redness and warmth around the incision

Smoking warning

Smoking significantly increases the risk of skin loss and delayed wound healing.

Do not smoke while your body is healing.

Contact – My Imperial Care

If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, contact us:

Email: support@myimperial.care
WhatsApp: +90 541 859 04 15