Recovery from Facelift Surgery

Following surgery, your head will be wrapped loosely in bandages to minimize bruising and swelling. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin behind your ear to drain any excess fluid. This tube will be removed the day after your plastic surgery procedure and the large dressing will be replaced with a much lighter dressing. This will allow you to shower and wash your hair. Significant discomfort after a forehead lift is rare, yet if you do experience any discomfort we will prescribe pain medication.

We will give more specific guidelines for gradually resuming your normal activities. They're likely to include these suggestions: avoid strenuous activity, including sex and heavy work, for at least two weeks (walking and mild stretching are fine). Above all, get plenty of rest and allow your body to spend its energy on healing. You can start gentle exercise in two weeks but strenuous aerobics or weight lifting should be avoided for a month.

You will need to take one week off work. Most of our facelift Toronto patients are back at work in about 10 days to two weeks after surgery. If you need it, makeup can mask most bruising that remains.