You may wonder how long a deep-plane cosmetic procedure would take to heal after surgery, considering how other facelift types like Botox and fillers have quick recovery times. A deep-plane surgery would take longer for your face to recover. The tradeoff is that a deep-plane procedure lasts longer than fillers and Botox.
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The First Week
Treatment begins with a trip to the cosmetic surgery office where the surgery took place. A friend or family member should be there to take you. The surgeon will examine the face to see if everything is alright.
Bruising, swelling, tightness, and discomfort around the incision area or the entire face are common. The doctor may prescribe pain medication to make this easier to manage. A cold compress or ice pack is a way to reduce swelling. Depending on the surgery, some doctors include a drain on your face to release excess fluid, and some skip this step. If you have a drain, the doctor will give instructions on how to maneuver around it at home.
Avoid activities during the first two to two days. Sleep on your back, reduce jaw movement and turn heads with your shoulders. Compression garments and neck-support brace are helpful. A friend or family member should help you during the first week.
After two days, light activities like walking, housework, and running simple errands may be acceptable. Get confirmation from your doctor about adequate activities for the first week. The doctor will remove sutures or bandages from your face in a few days or within the first week.
The Second Week
Non-eyeglass wearers gain independence this week; you will be well enough to drive around and use public transportation. Eyeglass wearers need another week of family or friend help.
You can wash and apply makeup to your face, but be gentle as the bruises, tightness, numbness, and swelling remain. It’s okay to peek in the mirror to see how your face is coming along. At your weekly appointment, your facial drains may come out this week or next. Continue to wear neck support and a compression garment. Continue doing light activities and sleeping on your back.
The Third Week
The facial drain, compression garment, and neck support brace come off in the third week. However, let the doctor do this. Eyeglass wearers can wear glasses briefly and gain independence by driving and using public transportation.
Although swelling, tightness, bruising, and discomfort have decreased, they are still visible. Swelling may go down this week, although it can last as long as a year. Still, returning to the workplace is a safe bet for office jobs, cashiers, teaching, and similar light work. At this stage, it is safe to turn your neck. Continue doing light activities and sleeping on your back.
The Fourth Week
Go to your weekly in-person check-in with the doctor. While you’re there, ask if you can return to the workplace with strenuous responsibilities. If your face needs more time to heal, you and the doctor should monitor your face weekly until it is possible to return to work. Add light exercise to your home and workplace activities. Continue doing home errands and sleeping on your back.
From Five Weeks to Six Months
Continue to check with the doctor every week or two weeks. Bruising, swelling, and numbness should diminish; tightness and discomfort should be minimal. Give it two more weeks (six weeks total) before you can engage in strenuous activity. Continue sleeping on your back until the six-month mark. You should see a facial transformation in six months.
Six Months to One Year
The deep plane facelift healing time should be complete at the one-year mark. All bruises, swelling, numbness, tightness, and discomfort should leave. Your doctor will discover why if the swelling or bruises last over a year. Your sleeping habits can include side and back sleeping between six months and one year. However, check with your doctor about this before doing that. You don’t want any setbacks. Also, ask your doctor if you can sleep on your stomach before doing it.
You may know this quote: “Slow and steady wins the race.” The deep-plane facial surgery recovery process fits this description. You may be eager to rush it, but all that will do is cause setbacks, frustrating you even more. The results will be worth the wait as long as you listen to your doctor’s advice.
