First Follow Up After Facelift Surgery

When the surgical planning is being made for a facelift operation, the patient’s facial bone structure, facial shape, facial fat tissue distribution, facial skin quality, laxity and excessiveness, facial deeper tissue firmness and positions are evaluated. As each patient has a individual anatomy with different needs, the planning is specifically made for that patient.

Facelift surgeries are executed through an incision starting in the hair or hairline above and in front of the ear, in the temporal region. The incision is extended downwards in front of the ear, moving towards under the ear and then upwards behind the ear ending in the hair or hairline behind the ear. The skin and fatty tissues are then seperated from the underlying muscle and connective tissue as much as needed. The underlying muscle and connective tissues can be tightened with sutures if there is a need for it. The skin is pulled back and upwards and the excess skin is removed. Then the wound is closed with sutures and skin staples. Drains can be used if seen necessary. Bands are then applied on the sutures. Surgical techniques that work on deeper tissues can also be used.

After a facelift surgery, drains can be placed if needed. If drains are placed, they are usually removed within 1-2 days after the surgery. Depending on the surgeon’s preference, the incision lines can be covered with special tapes, and the patient can take a short, warm shower with these tapes on one day after the drains are removed. After the shower, it is important to dry these tapes in the cool setting of a hair dryer.         In the operation area, the stitches in front of the ear are usually removed after 4-5 days and the stitches behind the ear are removed after 7 days. Stitches/staples in the hair are usually removed 7-10 days after the surgery.

After thesurgery, it is not unusual to experience swelling in the face with the possibility of the swelling extending to the neck. The swelling can be expected to start to decrease at the end of one week after the surgery, while showing an increase in the first days. Although some pain can be expected after thesurgery, it should be at a degree that can be managed with painkillers. Other prescribed medication should also be used as instructed.