18 Jun 2025 | by Dr. Sanan
A facelift is the gold standard for facial rejuvenation. As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, I am proud to offer my Boston area patients the most cutting-edge techniques, including the deep plane facelift. While this is typically a less invasive procedure, it still requires downtime for healing. New patients are understandably concerned about the recovery process following a surgical procedure as they all involve an incision. It is literally the delineating line between a non-surgical and surgical approach. One of the reasons that a facelift can deliver such a robust result, however, is that it allows me to lift and excise loose skin and tissues in order to restore a still natural but more youthful looking countenance. In many ways, surgery is just the first step towards the new you. Recovery is equally important for delivering the exemplary result that we both want. So, here is a complete guide to post-op care after a facelift.
Post-Op Success Starts in Your Facelift Consultation in Boston
It may sound crazy, but your guide to the best possible recovery really begins during our initial consultation. This is my opportunity to listen intently to what bothers you about your appearance and conduct a thorough physical exam. My goal is not just about devising the right treatment plan for your anatomy, goals and lifestyle, I am also assessing your body’s unique ability to heal. Potential pain is probably the biggest recovery fear for most patients. This is why I will spend a big chunk of our initial meetings inquiring into your:
• Medical history
• Family history
• Any prior procedures, including injectables
I want to establish a baseline for how fast your body heals as well as your relationship to pain. It is personal and is not simply about how you process discomfort physically. Some patients have intense anxiety about pain. Your honest answers will allow us to come up with the right post-op pain management regime for your needs. If this includes prescription pain and/or anti-anxiety medication, you will need to make certain that you go to the pharmacy before your surgery so that everything is ready for when you get home.
Preparation is Key to Fast, Easy Recovery
The single greatest thing that you can do to ensure a fast, easy recovery is to prepare appropriately. My team and I will give you detailed post-op instructions well before your surgery date. Read through them carefully. If you don’t understand an instruction, call the office. As mentioned, you will want to fill any prescriptions before your surgery date. Along the same lines, it is important to assess your lifestyle and set up any help that you might need before your facelift. We will talk about this during your pre-op appointments, but it is imperative that you take it very easy for the first two weeks following your facelift. You may therefore need additional help such as:
• Housekeeper/cleaning service
• Food delivery
• Pet care/dog walker
• Child care
You are going to have some post-op bruising and swelling. I am going to want you sleeping with your head elevated so plan accordingly. If you are a side sleeper, creating a “fortress” of pillows on either side of your body may help you to stay in one place during the night. Again, these are all things that will be discussed with you beforehand.
Lifestyle Choices Can Improve Your Facelift Recovery
Making the right lifestyle choices following your facelift can go a long way towards improving your recovery experience. It is important to stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet. You want to stock up on non-starchy vegetables and lean protein while avoiding sugar and highly processed foods. The latter can be tough, but do your best. There are certain things, however, that need to be avoided entirely. Do not smoke during your recovery. It compromises wound healing and can result in a myriad of issues that neither of us want. It’s also smart to stay away from alcohol as it, too, can reduce your body’s ability to heal. Last, but not least, you want to stay out of the sun and wear a good sunscreen daily. You have just spent a lot of money and time rejuvenating your face. Sun damage may adversely affect both your incision lines as well as your results.
To find out more about a deep plane facelift, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Akshay Sanan at the Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 402-2768 to schedule a consultation.
