What's Mini Facelift Surgery Recovery Process in Raleigh? A mini facelift is the least invasive form of surgical facelift that a patient can benefit from. Generally, patients who are good candidates for a mini facelift surgery are on the younger side of needing a facelift, usually around forty to fifty. This correlates to only a mild amount of extra skin and jowl formation. However, their sagging and loose skin is often too much to address with only non-surgical treatments. In this limbo where a patient may not be ready for a full facelift and non-surgical treatments are not enough, a mini facelift can often give a patient another decade or so before requiring a full facelift, if not even longer. Additionally, a mini facelift is an attractive procedure for patients because it comes with less recovery and they can return to their busy lives quicker than if they underwent a full facelift surgery. Mini facelift surgery is also frequently performed under local anesthesia which can reduce the duration and severity of recovery. Some patients do take prescription pain medications, but many find them unnecessary. Still, patients will still require a short recovery period to allow side effects to dissipate and lower the risk of hindering their results. The Mini Facelift Recovery As mentioned, mini facelift surgeons Raleigh often explain that the recovery process for a mini facelift is much less intensive than traditional facelift surgery. While this is only part of the determining factor on if the surgery is suitable for your needs, it is an important distinction to make. Immediate Recovery When you come out of surgery, you will likely have some bandages either around your chin and head or just on the incisions. You may see an immediate difference, but this soon will become obscured by swelling. Even if your procedure is performed under local anesthesia where you are not totally sedated, it is likely that your surgeon will prescribe an oral sedative beforehand or use an IV for twilight anesthesia. Therefore, it is normal to feel a bit tired and groggy. After a short observation period, your caregiver can take you home. For the first day, you should focus on resting and eating carefully. Though you can usually eat normal food because local anesthesia does not tend to cause severe nausea, it could as well as pain medication. Therefore, start with something light and work up to eating more. Most patients are able to eat normally after the first day. 1-2 Days After Surgery One to two days following surgery you will likely begin feeling more like yourself. Many patients even discontinue their pain medications during this time. You will likely have your first post-operative appointment and your Raleigh plastic surgeon may then remove your bandages. Patients can slowly become more active at home. While you should not work out, doing basic daily activities within reasonable limits is usually fine. Pace yourself and if you feel pain or begin to sweat, take a break and rest. However, most patients can be mostly self-sufficient at this point. Driving can commence once the patient has been off pain medication, preferably for a day or so. Most mini facelift surgeons do still recommend that patients do not return to work yet, even if they feel up to it. One Week Within one week, patients can usually resume nearly all of their activities. While some exercise may still be limited, patients can usually return to work, run errands, and go about daily life. Some swelling may persist for several weeks. Within seven to ten days, it is normally imperceptible to an untrained eye and easily covered with makeup. Often, patients return to work in three to four days. Therefore, this procedure is often called a “weekend facelift” since it does not take long to recover from. Though, promoting the best results and safety is the most important. Follow your surgeon’s instructions after your mini facelift. Conclusion Mini facelift surgeons take the time to evaluate each patient and craft an individualized surgical plan. Helping patients look years younger with the least invasive techniques possible is a common goal among both patients and surgeons. In the right candidate and under the care of the right surgeon, a mini facelift can be absolutely life-changing.