If you are scheduled to have facial plastic surgery like facelift or eyelid surgery, you probably feel excited to be able to show off your results to friends and family. But when, exactly, is it safe to resume socializing? Dr. Douglas Stevens, our talented facial plastic surgeon, shares the answer in this post.

Most People Are Ready to Socialize About 2 Weeks after Surgery

Every patient is different and recovers at his or her own pace. A patient’s age, health and lifestyle habits influence the recovery process tremendously. And any trustworthy plastic surgeon will advise that there is no rush for patients to resume work, exercise or other normal activities. It’s better to allow more time to recuperate than rush the recovery process and risk a complication.

With those disclaimers in mind, most patients are ready to go out in public about two weeks after facial plastic surgery. During the first week of recovery, the face is usually bruised and swollen, and patients may have slight discomfort and a lack of energy. But by the two-week mark, most patients have resumed work, driving and perhaps even some light exercise. At this point, many patients feel ready to re-engage with friends.

That isn’t to say that facelift or brow lift patients necessarily want to attend a wedding, class reunion or other heavily photographed event. But most patients feel comfortable running errands, or meeting friends for coffee. They may attend a small social gathering with close friends if they feel they can be honest about their surgery.

At the two-week mark, there may be some residual swelling, which can be covered up with makeup or a scarf or head wrap. Some patients alter their hairstyle around the time of surgery to deflect any questions about changes in appearance. About three weeks after surgery, patients are mostly healed and enjoying their rejuvenated appearance.

Reclaim a Younger-Looking You

If you’d like to turn back the clock on facial aging and enjoy a more youthful and energetic appearance, Dr. Stevens can help. Book an informational consultation with our leading facial plastic surgeon to discuss your surgical options and select the course of treatment that best suits your needs. Call (239) 481-9292 or email us today to make your appointment!