Recovery starts with a plan.

Healing isn’t linear, and it’s not always glamorous at the beginning. Swelling, tightness, numbness, and bruising are all normal, especially around the eyes, cheeks, and neck. You may feel a little strange looking at yourself those first few days. Hang in there! It gets better quickly. Rest, hydrate, and let your body heal at its own pace.

Most patients are surprised by how manageable the discomfort is. That said, stay ahead of it the first few days by taking your meds as prescribed. Most patients take acetaminophen and ibuprofen every 8 hours scheduled and supplement this with a small dose of oxycodone every 6 hours as needed.

Swelling peaks around day 2–3, then slowly fades. Bruising may shift or travel downward before it clears. Use cold compresses and ice packs as much as possible during the first 48 hours (especially after eyelid surgery), keep your head elevated, and avoid salty foods. If you wake up puffy, don’t panic. Morning swelling is normal and improves throughout the day.

Clean your sutures twice daily using a Q-tip dipped in diluted hydrogen peroxide, followed by a thin layer of petrolatum-based ointment like Vaseline. You can begin wearing sunscreen around days 7–10, once the skin is intact. Silicone scar gel or tape can be introduced at the two-week mark.

You can usually shower 48 hours after surgery, but avoid steam, soaking, or high-pressure water on your face and neck. Let the water run gently and pat dry. Shampooing is fine once you’re steady, but don’t bend over the sink (especially after a neck lift). If you have incisions in the hairline or behind the ears, a little Dawn dish soap can help break down the ointment residue without irritation.

Sleep on your back with your head elevated using a few pillows or a wedge. This helps minimize swelling and takes pressure off healing areas. If staying on your back is tricky, try adding a pillow under your knees or tucking pillows at your sides for support. Side sleeping is off-limits for now, especially after a facelift or rhinoplasty.

Short walks are great, but skip anything intense. No cardio for three weeks and no weightlifting, resistance training, or floor work (e.g., pilates, yoga, etc.) for six weeks. If you’ve only had an upper blepharoplasty, physical exercise can be resumed at two weeks.

You can drive once you’re off prescription pain meds and feeling fully alert. After a neck lift, avoid turning your head from side to side for 8–10 weeks. This is where side-view cameras really come in handy. If your car doesn’t have them, lean your whole body forward to check blind spots rather than twisting your neck. Don’t rush it – if you’re unsure, have a friend or family member take the wheel.

You won’t be up for lifting, chasing, or bending in those first days. If you have kids, pets, or someone who relies on you, line up help in advance.

Yes, you should take it easy here too. Anything that raises your heart rate, pulls on healing tissue, or involves bending forward should wait at least two weeks. That includes kissing, cuddling, and anything more involved.

Stick to soft, easy-to-digest foods for the first few days, especially if you’ve had anesthesia. Keep salt and spice to a minimum. Too much sodium can worsen swelling (aim for under 1,250 mg per day). Prioritize protein as it’s essential for healing. And don’t forget to hydrate: water, bone broth, and herbal teas are all great. No alcohol for 6-8 weeks!

Makeup can be worn once the incisions and skin are fully healed (usually at 10-14 days). When you do start back up, use clean brushes and go gentle. Skip acids, retinols, and exfoliants until your skin is no longer sensitive. And sunscreen is non-negotiable starting at 7-10 days.

You can wash your hair once you’re steady and cleared to shower, but keep the water gentle and lukewarm. Avoid salon visits, chemical treatments, or hair color for at least 3–4 weeks.

If you’ve had eyelid surgery, give it 3–5 days before wearing contact lenses. This allows swelling to ease so inserting and removing them isn’t a struggle. Glasses are totally fine as long as they’re not pressing directly on your incisions. If they are, opt for a lightweight pair or go without when you can. If you’ve had a rhinoplasty, you must wear your splint underneath your glasses or sunglasses for the first 8 weeks.

If you’ve been given a wrap or compression garment, wear it exactly as instructed. It helps control swelling, minimize bruising, and support your results as things settle. Don’t overtighten it, and don’t stop early just because you “feel fine”—healing continues under the surface. Most patients wear it 24/7 for the first two weeks, then just at night for another 2–3 weeks.

Give it about 4–6 weeks before jumping back into injectables. Your face will be changing and settling, especially after a facelift or rhinoplasty. If you’ve only had an upper blepharoplasty, you may resume neuromodulator injections as soon as two weeks post-op.

Lymphatic massage and hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be helpful for reducing swelling and bruising after surgery, but timing is everything. The earliest it’s allowed is around 5–7 days post-op, and only if you’ve been cleared. Don’t schedule anything until we’ve talked. That goes for laser, microneedling, or facials too – we’ll map out the right timing together. And if you’d like a referral, just ask.

Scars take time to mature, usually a full year. Early on, they may look red and/or bumpy, but they’ll gradually fade and flatten over the coming months. Around two weeks after surgery, you can start using silicone gel or scar sheets to support the healing process.

Initial swelling goes down in weeks, but full results can take months – even up to one full year. Trust the process. Don’t panic if things look “off” early on. Your face is healing, shifting, and settling.

The emotional rollercoaster after surgery is real and completely normal. Around days 3–5, it’s common to feel weepy, anxious, or question whether you “made the right choice.” This usually coincides with the peak of swelling and anesthesia wearing off. Your face may look unfamiliar at first, but that doesn’t mean something’s wrong. It’s just part of the healing process. Let yourself rest, avoid the mirror, and lean on your support system. You’re not alone, and this phase passes. Healing is physical, emotional, and psychological.

Hold off on flying for at least 3 weeks for domestic trips and 6 weeks for international travel, especially after a facelift or rhinoplasty. Changes in cabin pressure, prolonged sitting, and reduced mobility can worsen swelling and increase the risk of complications like blood clots. If you absolutely need to travel earlier, let us know so we can talk through the risks and help you prepare safely. When in doubt, give yourself more time.

Avoid anything that thins the blood or increases bruising for two weeks before and after surgery. That includes fish oil, vitamin E, turmeric, ginkgo, and green tea extract. Always check before restarting any supplements – even the “natural” ones.

If you’re using a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro, it must be stopped 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery. These medications can slow stomach emptying, which increases the risk of anesthesia-related complications like nausea, vomiting, and aspiration. They may also affect your ability to stay properly nourished during recovery and fat survival if you’ve had a fat transfer. Please be sure to let us know if you’re taking any injectable weight loss medications. This is a safety must.

This is the time to take it slow and keep things simple. Avoid smoking, vaping, and alcohol for at least 6-8 weeks – they all interfere with circulation and can delay healing. Skip intense exercise, heavy lifting, and anything that raises your blood pressure until I clear you. Stay out of saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and tanning beds. No harsh skincare products (like retinols or acids) on healing skin, and no makeup on incisions until they’re fully closed. If you’re not sure whether something is okay, pause and check in. When in doubt, less is more.

Week 1: Swelling and bruising are normal; rest and elevation are key.
Week 2: Bruising begins to fade; sutures dissolving; light activity may return.
Weeks 3–4: Most normal routines resume; swelling continues to improve.
Months 2–3: Results continue to evolve; facial contour clarifies.
Months 6-12: Residual swelling resolves; numbness continues to improve.
Month 12: Final result is typically apparent.