The majority of the swelling and bruising will resolve in about 3 weeks. Complete resolution of the swelling takes about 6-8 weeks. Most people return to work in about 3-4 weeks.
The time frame depends of the type work you perform. If it is work from home, sometimes a week may be enough. You will typically feel fine, but you will be swollen and possibly bruised so you may not want other people to see you. If you do start working this early, it is recommended to take it easy and work just a few hours a day and not full time right away as you will tire quickly.
If you job requires exposure to other people - 3 weeks is more common. For women with long hair it is much easier, as they can wear their hair down, wear slightly shaded glasses and no one is able to tell they are recovering. WIth men that may take slightly longer.
If your job requires strenuous activity, is located around dust and difficult conditions, 5 weeks may be more appropriate. Please ask Dr. Cruise during your follow up visits what's the best time to return to work will be for you.
After the surgery
You will most likely stay overnight at a recovery place. The nurse will take care of you and instruct what's appropriate to do. Plan on resting for the first day or two. Try to walk around every hour while awake. After that, you should be able to move about, but you will want to take it easy until you reach close to the one-week mark.
While showering, brushing your hair, getting dressed, etc. you will need to be careful around your face and hair so you do not irritate or pull on your incisions. Your facial skin will probably feel tender and numb, but will improve with time.
For the first three to four weeks after your surgery, you should avoid strenuous activities. Walking and simple stretches are mostly fine, but avoid anything that requires exertion or lifting, including housework.
Get plenty of rest. Get movies that you always wanted to watch but never had the time. A good book may come in handy as well. Think of it as a "Me time", relax and recover.
Please do not take very hot showers, (warm water is fine) steam baths, and saunas for several months after face lift surgery.
Periodic feelings of depression after facelift surgery are not uncommon. When the bandages first come off, your face will be puffy and bruised. We recommend that you don't look in the mirror for that first week. Parts of your face may look distorted until the swelling subsides.
Your face will feel stiff and your expressions and facial movements may look different at first. Most people are self-conscious about their scars and bruises. And, because your body is devoting energy to the healing process, you may find that you tire more easily.
We usually provide you with a prescription for Xanax, to make sure that the first week goes by smoothly and easily. It is a normal feeling and when you are aware of it, the recovery is much easier.
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