Facelift recovery help

Hi everone
i am booked for a face lift on the 6/10/10
the bigest thing im worried about is the numbness around the ears and cheeks i hear about
i have had 2 hair transplants before one of them when i was cut must of went through a nerve it was numb only for about 2 months
but the night of that operation the feeling in the cut area was driving me crazy for about 2 hours it was like an uncontrolable
claustrophobia fobia felling like i had no control over that area of my head
hard to describe how it felt i was like in a panic and had to walk around and talk myself out of it.
My Question is the numbness in the face lift like this and if it is how long does it last
Thanks if any one can give me a dicription of this feeling

I guess its nice to know I am not the only one going thru this, I had mine done in Costa Rica and am still here, its just a week after surgery, the first time I looked in the mirror I cried, just awful, but very day better, its takes about 2 to 6 months to really heal, feel and look better, I am counting on it, I had a full face lift, I will be here two and one half weeks, then fly home to US, lets not lose hope, there is alot of cutting done to our faces, give it time, do as the Dr says and alll should be fine,

It is normal to feel a bit depressed after any operation. It's a reaction after the anaesthetic. With cosmetic surgery you have the same. Plus you have to deal with the change of some familiar features about your face. Sure, you weren't happy the way it was, but straight after the operation you probably look even worse because of the bruising and swelling and you don't really know how it is all going to end up.

It's been one week, and, although I feel VERY swollen, numb, and tight around the neck, in a week I should be able to work. That would be the promised two-week recovery. But, I guess, after reading the posts, it will be a while before the scar tissue, numbness, etc. subside. I HAVE been to the store to buy food and the post office. I just hide a bit!

Give us an update as to how you are doing. I am 4 weeks post op (lower, mid face lift with chin implant) and things are slow for me ` I'm most anxious to regain my smile. Now, mild chemises in right eye. I hope you are not dealing with that.

Hi,



I just had it done a week ago. On the second day I wasn't feeling so hot. The drains had been removed on the second day. Still wearing the face brace. Still have slight bleeding from incision area, leakage like. I did not and still do not want to be seen in this state. My face is huge and very bruised and discolored. I just don't think you will want to be seen either, especially in front of children. It could freak them out.

Noooooo....Not two days after surgery. You need to be in bed with the exception of walking for about 5 min. every hour to avoid blood clots. You must be realistic about facial surgery. It's not the same as just getting an injection of dermal fillers. In two weeks you can get about, but just. Don't think you will be carrying groceries, working out or even doing extensive chores/errands, etc. at that point even. That's at the 6 week mark. Good luck!

oh my! Absolutely not. You need to be bed-ridden for at least a few days only walking for about 5 min. every hour. That's it! It's a major surgery and your body needs to rest. Don't plan doing anything for two weeks and even then, only piddling around the house but no housework. This is how to avoid complications with surgery..YOu hear so many people complain about botched jobs, many, many due to how people treat the recovery process. :)

After 2 weeks still take it easy. I over did it just by running normal errands 1 mile from my house (I drove of course). Just post office, bank, grocery store. No room for set-backs or complications---nothing is worth that! You'd be surprised how little your body can take after a surgery like this. Be kind and cut yourself lots of slack. You are worth it!

Yes. Rely on your Dr. to tell you if you have anything to worry about. Nothing is too small to inquire about. Remember, innocuous things can actually be of concern and most all things are correctable if caught in time, if anything goes awry. Don't be shy. Be polite, clear, concise and don't over-react in your communications. If for some reason the Doctors opinion doesn't ring true or satisfy you, reach out to other Doctors and get other opinions. Even Real Self will allow you opinions from valid doctors via the internet and posted digital images you can provide. Be realistic. Don't be one of those people who compare plastic surgery to going to the salon to get a new hair-do. It's a process of healing with ups and downs and two steps forward, two backwards...Good luck!!

praxis wrote:

rocnrlr wrote:

It's been one week, and, although I feel VERY swollen, numb, and tight around the neck, in a week I should be able to work. That would be the promised two-week recovery. But, I guess, after reading the posts, it will be a while before the scar tissue, numbness, etc. subside. I HAVE been to the store to buy food and the post office. I just hide a bit!

Give us an update as to how you are doing. I am 4 weeks post op (lower, mid face lift with chin implant) and things are slow for me ` I'm most anxious to regain my smile. Now, mild chemises in right eye. I hope you are not dealing with that.

Don't over-do it. Remember, it takes about 6 weeks for the skin to adhere to the tissue, so keep that blood pressure down and try to do as little as possible. Listen to your body and try decaf coffee or tea (people forget how that raises blood pressure). You will heal faster and easier. Also, eat whole foods--stay away from acidic foods as much as possible. Not the acid in fruits but acid in meats and sugar!! " Let food by thy medicine." --Hippocrates

Yes!! Your mental and emotional state has immense effects on your healing. Do not worry. These bumps will subside. Understand that full recovery takes a year! Sometimes healing such as numbness can take up to 2 years! You will heal. Post your question on Real Self for other qualified Doctors to answer your question if you are not satisfied with the surgeon you hired in the first place. It's always re-assuring to get other professional opinions. Have patience--your worrying could have just delayed or aggravated your healing process a little longer....Be good to yourself and remember quite often we look worse to ourselves than in reality. Good luck! :D

Uh. you are just in your 2nd week!! Patience, my dear! I am on my 20th day of recovery and I can give you a few helpful hints. Take it very easy. Do things that are fun, fulfilling and will keep your mind off your healing. Read a book, listen to music, write a letter, art project, anything you are up to. Turn the healing process into an opportunity to get back to those things you love that you've lost touch with! You deserve it, you deserve the break, you deserve amazing healing and wonderful results. Keep in touch with your surgeon over any and every question or concern. Real Self is a great site that allows you to post questions to real dr's. for second opinions. People often make the mistake of comparing a facelift to getting a new hair-do at the salon. It takes time. There is A LOT of healing happening beneath the surface and a lot has happened...more than you realize. Let your body due it's amazing healing while you pamper yourself. I love to answer Q & A's on Yahoo while sipping lots of decaf tea. Then I read an exciting, uplifting book, then I write a letter I've been meaning to. Then I may move on to creating a collage of the new me to come. I do lots of things that have been sitting "on the bottom of my list" for ages now. Stuff we rarely get around to. Organizing my computer and it's files. Silly things but useful and stuff we will never usually find the time to do! :D Good luck!!

aluwishish wrote:

JaneM wrote:

Hello! I'm just into the second week of my MACS recovery and came across this web site whilst looking for some mutual comfort, encouragement and general TLC! I'm amazed at the speed in which I'm recovering, but I still have some concerns, which as I can see from the postings, are share by all of us. It's good just to know I'm not alone, and I now know that it doesn't matter how much faith we have in our surgeon, there are some facts which we're not always told about prior to the anesthetic! If there's anyone out there who can give some reassurance that the developing hard lumps around my right eye, fear of smiling, sore throat and general hamster features are just temporary, it would be much appreciated! Thanks, and best wishes to everyone.

Uh. you are just in your 2nd week!! Patience, my dear! I am on my 20th day of recovery and I can give you a few helpful hints. Take it very easy. Do things that are fun, fulfilling and will keep your mind off your healing. Read a book, listen to music, write a letter, art project, anything you are up to. Turn the healing process into an opportunity to get back to those things you love that you've lost touch with! You deserve it, you deserve the break, you deserve amazing healing and wonderful results. Keep in touch with your surgeon over any and every question or concern. Real Self is a great site that allows you to post questions to real dr's. for second opinions. People often make the mistake of comparing a facelift to getting a new hair-do at the salon. It takes time. There is A LOT of healing happening beneath the surface and a lot has happened...more than you realize. Let your body due it's amazing healing while you pamper yourself. I love to answer Q & A's on Yahoo while sipping lots of decaf tea. Then I read an exciting, uplifting book, then I write a letter I've been meaning to. Then I may move on to creating a collage of the new me to come. I do lots of things that have been sitting "on the bottom of my list" for ages now. Stuff we rarely get around to. Organizing my computer and it's files. Silly things but useful and stuff we will never usually find the time to do! :D Good luck!!

P.S. All those concerns you mentioned are par for the course and were experienced by me as well. All of which have gone. :D

Wondering of anyone was suggested a v- beam to help with the very black and blue - ie purple beard on my lower jaw area - surgery was may 18th so I am only 6 days post - op but my bruising is worse today thann on day 3 and I need to be back at work by June 6 th- any info or experience with this lazier would be very appreciated