What is the Recovery Time for Surgical Procedures of the Face?
Interested in a surgical procedure but not sure if you can get enough time off from work? Well here is your guide to how much time is necessary for your recovery!
- Rhinoplasty (nose job)
It is recommended that one takes approximately a week off to recover from a rhinoplasty surgery. After one week the patient will feel able to return to work, but there can be some modest visible signs of surgery. Some mild pain can be expected for the first 48 hours post-surgery during which time activity should be very limited and an ample amount of rest is key. The splint covering the nose and soft rubber splints inside the nose will be removed after 5-7 days. Please be aware that Dr. Leong never “packs” the nose, a technique used in decades past that could be quite uncomfortable. The great majority of the swelling will resolve within a month; however, 100% resolution of swelling will require nearly a year after surgery. - Submental Liposuction (chin/neck)
This procedure is considered to have fairly minimal downtime and only 4 days are recommended to stay home from work after this surgical procedure. Minus some expected bruising and a very “fashionable” compressive neck strap, submental liposuction is considered moderately painless with a speedy recovery. The neck strap is typically removed about 5-8 days post-surgery. - Rhytidectomy (face/neck lift)
Out of all the cosmetic surgical procedures of the face, a facelift requires the most downtime. Although there are many different types of facelifts that are offered now days, a true face/neck lift where the SMAS is lifted and repositioned will require approximately 2 weeks to fully recover. A decent amount of bruising and swelling should be expected, and sutures will be removed (sometimes not all at once) approximately 5-7 days post-surgery. A “mini-lift” which generally involved somewhat less surgery, and might be an appropriate procedure for patients with moderate facial aging (late 40s, early 50s), can be recuperated from in about 7-10 days.
Find out if you are a good candidate for any of these procedures by scheduling your consultation with Dr. Leong in one of our 6 office locations around the Pittsburgh area.