Question: I’m confused about the facelift recovery answers from doctors. I also read that a patient should not expect more tightening after the initial several weeks – the skin may actually loosen. I’m confused about the “full results” that take up to a year if it isn’t a lift/tighter look to a sagging face. I just had midface lift & am not sure I’m going to get the results I want in the midface & jawline, under chin. Its only been two weeks but I’m concerned the cheek jaw & chin swelling may result in skin not tightening after the swelling goes down more.
Dr. Dean Kane, board certified Plastic Surgeon from Baltimore Answers
Most patients are “social” following a face lift after 3-6 weeks. That’s when most of the swelling and bruising are gone and the incisions are strong enough to begin increasing activities. Most patients look their best between 3-6 months when the underlying lumpiness and scars have begun to settle down. Some patients, particularly those with reddish skin or of darker pigmentation may take 12 or more months until their scars are smooth and flat. If no incisions are made, these timelines maybe shorter to increasing activities but not shorter regarding the natural healing process.
”Mini” indicates smaller. A smaller face lifts mean less surgery, less incisions, less lift, less tightening, etc. You are correct in expecting less but focused results. For example, if you wish your cheeks and eyelids lifted using a “mini” – midface lift, the incision will be along the eyelid or in the mouth but only the eyelid and cheek will lift with no expectation of skin tightening. The “mini” short scar face lift will make “shorter” incision around the ear but not necessarily elevate and redrape the skin to the nasolabial fold, jowl or neck like a fuller traditional face and neck lift.
A lift generally requires an incsion (although not all the time) and it is usually the incision that most people consider the site of healing but any tissue that is lifted or moved will require healing time as well. So, it is not so much the length of the incision but the amount of surgery that is performed that will determine how much swelling, bruising, lumpiness and therefore the amount of time before a patient feels social once again.
Tightening is a different issue. A (face and neck) lift will elevate and redrape the skin upwardly, trimming off the excess sagging skin and re-attach it to the other side of the incision. During the healing process, the skin will firm up but at the middle to end of the healing process, the fabric of the skin is no different (only shorter) than it was originally. Other options such as: exfolliation, retinoids (vitamin A creams), peels, laser, light and other options will rejuvenate the skin fabric for a firmer, tighter more lustrous and youthful skin.
I hope this was helpful!
All the best!
Dr. Dean Kane
www.DrDeanKane.com
DeanKane@DrDeanKane.com
410-602-3322 I read here full results from a lift can take up to a year. I just had midface lift & am not sure I’ll get the results I want.
Question: I’m confused about the facelift recovery answers from doctors. I also read that a patient should not expect more tightening after the initial several weeks – the skin may actually loosen. I’m confused about the “full results” that take up to a year if it isn’t a lift/tighter look to a sagging face. I just had midface lift & am not sure I’m going to get the results I want in the midface & jawline, under chin. Its only been two weeks but I’m concerned the cheek jaw & chin swelling may result in skin not tightening after the swelling goes down more.
Dr. Dean Kane, board certified Plastic Surgeon from Baltimore Answers
Most patients are “social” following a face lift after 3-6 weeks. That’s when most of the swelling and bruising are gone and the incisions are strong enough to begin increasing activities. Most patients look their best between 3-6 months when the underlying lumpiness and scars have begun to settle down. Some patients, particularly those with reddish skin or of darker pigmentation may take 12 or more months until their scars are smooth and flat. If no incisions are made, these timelines maybe shorter to increasing activities but not shorter regarding the natural healing process.
”Mini” indicates smaller. A smaller face lifts mean less surgery, less incisions, less lift, less tightening, etc. You are correct in expecting less but focused results. For example, if you wish your cheeks and eyelids lifted using a “mini” – midface lift, the incision will be along the eyelid or in the mouth but only the eyelid and cheek will lift with no expectation of skin tightening. The “mini” short scar face lift will make “shorter” incision around the ear but not necessarily elevate and redrape the skin to the nasolabial fold, jowl or neck like a fuller traditional face and neck lift.
A lift generally requires an incsion (although not all the time) and it is usually the incision that most people consider the site of healing but any tissue that is lifted or moved will require healing time as well. So, it is not so much the length of the incision but the amount of surgery that is performed that will determine how much swelling, bruising, lumpiness and therefore the amount of time before a patient feels social once again.
Tightening is a different issue. A (face and neck) lift will elevate and redrape the skin upwardly, trimming off the excess sagging skin and re-attach it to the other side of the incision. During the healing process, the skin will firm up but at the middle to end of the healing process, the fabric of the skin is no different (only shorter) than it was originally. Other options such as: exfolliation, retinoids (vitamin A creams), peels, laser, light and other options will rejuvenate the skin fabric for a firmer, tighter more lustrous and youthful skin.
I hope this was helpful!
All the best!
Dr. Dean Kane
www.DrDeanKane.com
DeanKane@DrDeanKane.com
410-602-3322 
