When to Resume Exercising after Facelift Surgery

13 Aug When to Resume Exercising after Facelift Surgery

Timeline for Resuming Exercise after Facelift Surgery

If you’ve just had a facelift, you might want to jump back into your usual exercise routine as soon as possible. Rushing back into exercise too soon after your surgery can actually do more harm than good. It can lead to complications like increased swelling, delayed healing, and even damage to your incisions. That’s why it’s absolutely essential to understand when and how to safely get back into your fitness routine. In this blog, Perth Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr. Guy Watts will walk you through the timeline of resuming exercise after a facelift, ensuring you prioritise both your recovery and your fitness goals.

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Why Wait before Resuming Exercise after Facelift Surgery?

A facelift, while cosmetic, is still a surgical procedure. This means incisions, sutures, and a period of healing for your body to knit those tissues back together. Jumping back into strenuous activity too soon disrupts this delicate process.

Here’s why:

• Increased Swelling: Exercise naturally increases blood flow throughout your body. While this is generally a good thing, in the early stages of facelift recovery, it can exacerbate post-operative swelling and bruising. Imagine a garden hose with a small leak – increasing the water pressure will only make that leak worse.
• Delayed Healing: Putting excessive strain on your incision sites, whether through heavy lifting or high-impact exercises, can pull at the healing tissues. This can impede proper healing, increase the risk of infection, and potentially lead to wider, more noticeable scars.
• Risk of Bleeding: Exercise elevates your heart rate and blood pressure. In the initial days and weeks after a facelift, this can put undue stress on the delicate healing tissues and capillaries, increasing the risk of bleeding and complications.

The Golden Rule of Resuming Exercise after Facelift

While it’s helpful to have a general idea of the recovery timeline, remember that every person is unique and will heal at their own pace. This is where the golden rule comes in: listen to your body and Dr. Watts.

Dr. Watts is your most trusted advisor throughout this journey. He has examined you, performed the procedure, and understand the specifics of your case better than anyone else. He can provide personalised advice tailored to your individual needs and healing progress.

Here are a few factors Dr. Watts will consider when advising you on returning to exercise:

• The extent of your facelift: If your face lift has been combine with other procedures such as anterior neck lift, brow lift or blepharoplasty your return to exercise will likely be more gradual
• Your overall health: Pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes or autoimmune disorders, can impact healing time. Similarly, your general fitness level before surgery plays a role – someone who exercises regularly may recover faster than someone who leads a more sedentary lifestyle.
• Your body’s response to surgery: Just like some people recover from a cold quickly while others take longer, individual responses to surgery vary. Some individuals naturally bounce back faster due to factors like genetics, age, and lifestyle choices.

Gradual Return to Exercise after Facelift

This timeline is a general guideline as everyone heals differently, and Dr. Watts will consider your individual case, surgical techniques used, and overall health when advising you on the appropriate time to resume exercise.

Week 1

The first week after your facelift is all about giving your body the downtime it needs to mend. Consider this your official permission slip to indulge in some guilt-free relaxation. While it might seem counterintuitive, minimising physical activity during this initial phase is crucial for optimal healing and long-term results.

What to Expect: You’ll likely experience some swelling, bruising, and tenderness around the incision sites. Your energy levels may also be lower than usual.

Allowed Activities:

• Gentle Walks Around the House: While strenuous activity is off-limits, short, leisurely walks around your home are encouraged. This gentle movement helps improve blood circulation, which can reduce swelling and lower the risk of blood clots.
• Deep Breathing Exercises: Deep, slow breaths can help calm your nervous system, reduce stress, and even aid in pain management.
• Light Stretching (With Caution): Gentle stretches that don’t pull on your face or neck can help relieve stiffness and improve circulation. Avoid any stretches that cause discomfort or put strain on the surgical area.

Activities to Avoid:

• Strenuous Exercise: This includes running, jogging, weightlifting, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and any activity that elevates your heart rate significantly.
• Heavy Lifting: Avoid lifting anything heavier than 5 kg to prevent strain on your incisions and facial muscles.
• Bending Over: This movement can increase blood flow to your head, potentially worsening swelling and delaying healing.
• Swimming: Submerging your incisions in water, especially chlorinated water, is a big no-no during the first week as it can increase the risk of infection.

Key Considerations:

• Listen to Your Body: If you feel any pain, discomfort, or increased swelling during an activity, stop immediately and rest.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is crucial for healing and can help minimise swelling.
• Prioritise Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to support your body’s natural healing processes.

Weeks 2-3 after Facelift

As you enter the second and third weeks post-op, you’ll likely notice a decrease in swelling and bruising. Your energy levels may also start to rebound. This is a good time to gradually introduce light activities back into your routine, but remember to listen to your body and avoid anything too strenuous.

What to Expect: You may still experience some mild swelling and tenderness, but it should be significantly less noticeable than during the first week.

Allowed Activities:

• Leisurely Walks: You can gradually increase the duration and intensity of your walks, but avoid power walking or jogging for now.
• Gentle Yoga: Focus on gentle flows and poses that don’t put pressure on your face or neck. Avoid inversions, headstands, or any poses that cause discomfort.
• Stretching: You can incorporate more stretches into your routine, focusing on improving flexibility and range of motion in your body. Again, avoid any stretches that pull on your face or neck.
• Light Cardio (With Caution): If you’re feeling up to it, you can try short sessions on a stationary bike or elliptical trainer at a very low intensity. Keep your heart rate low and stop immediately if you experience any discomfort.

Activities to Avoid:

• High-Impact Exercise: Running, jumping, and other high-impact activities are still off-limits as they can jar your incisions and delay healing.
• Contact Sports: Avoid any activities that involve physical contact, such as basketball, soccer, or martial arts.
• Heavy Lifting: Continue to avoid lifting anything heavy to prevent strain on your facial muscles and incisions.
• Swimming: While you might be tempted to take a dip in the pool, it’s best to avoid swimming until Dr. Watts gives you the green light.

Key Considerations:

• Gradual Progression: Don’t try to do too much too soon. Start with short sessions of light activity and gradually increase the duration and intensity as you feel comfortable.
• Check In With Your Body: Pay close attention to how your body feels during and after exercise. Stop immediately if you experience any pain, discomfort, or increased swelling.
• Stay Consistent: Even if you’re only able to manage short bursts of activity, aim to move your body gently each day to improve circulation and promote healing.

Weeks 4-6 of the Recovery after Facelift Surgery

By weeks 4-6, your body has made significant strides in the healing process. You’ll likely notice a significant reduction in swelling and your energy levels should be closer to normal. With Dr. Watts’ clearance, you can start to gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts.

What to Expect: You may still experience some mild stiffness or tightness, but overall, you should be feeling much more like yourself.

Allowed Activities:

• Brisk Walking: Pick up the pace and enjoy longer walks. You can even incorporate hills into your route to challenge yourself.
• Light Jogging: If you were a runner before your surgery, you can start with short, slow jogs and gradually increase the distance and speed as tolerated.
• Cycling: Enjoy bike rides outdoors or opt for stationary cycling at the gym. Start with shorter rides and gradually increase the duration and intensity as you feel comfortable.
• Swimming: Once Dr. Watts gives you the green light, you can usually resume swimming. Start with shorter sessions and avoid diving or any movements that put excessive pressure on your face.
• Bodyweight Training: Incorporate bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups (modified if needed), and planks into your routine. Focus on proper form and avoid any exercises that cause discomfort.

Activities to Avoid:

• High-Impact Sports: While you can start to increase the intensity of your workouts, it’s still best to avoid high-impact activities like tennis, basketball, or running on hard surfaces.
• Heavy Weightlifting: Continue to avoid lifting heavy weights as it can put strain on your facial muscles and incisions. Gradually reintroduce weights as your body heals, starting with lighter weights and gradually increasing the load.
• Exercises That Strain Your Face and Neck: Avoid exercises that involve a lot of jumping, bouncing, or jarring movements that could put stress on your face and neck.

Key Considerations:

• Listen to Dr. Watts: Before significantly increasing the intensity or duration of your workouts, consult with Dr. Watts to ensure it aligns with your healing progress.
• Don’t Push Through Pain: It’s normal to experience some muscle soreness as you increase your activity level, but sharp pain is a sign to stop and rest.
• Stay Hydrated: As you increase your activity level, it’s even more important to stay hydrated to support your body’s needs.
• Prioritise Proper Form: Focus on maintaining proper form during all exercises to avoid injury and ensure you’re working the correct muscle groups.

Week 6 and Beyond

By week 6, most patients have recovered sufficiently to resume their pre-facelift exercise routines, including more strenuous activities. However, it’s important to continue listening to your body and avoid any movements that cause discomfort.

What to Expect: You should be feeling back to your old self in terms of energy levels and physical capabilities. However, everyone heals at their own pace, so don’t be discouraged if you need a bit more time to get back to your pre-surgery fitness level.

Allowed Activities:

• Most Activities: You can generally resume most activities you enjoyed before your facelift, including running, swimming, dancing, and group fitness classes.
• Weightlifting: You can gradually reintroduce heavier weights into your routine, starting with lighter weights and gradually increasing the load as you feel comfortable.
• High-Impact Activities: If you’re feeling up to it, you can gradually reintroduce high-impact activities like running, jumping, and plyometrics.

Activities to Avoid:

• Pushing Through Pain: Even though you’re further along in your recovery, it’s still crucial to listen to your body and avoid pushing through any pain. Discomfort is a sign that you need to back off or modify the activity.
• Neglecting Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs: Always take the time to warm up your muscles before each workout and cool down afterward to prevent injury and promote flexibility.
• Comparing Yourself to Others: Everyone recovers at their own pace. Don’t compare your progress to others or feel pressured to do more than what’s comfortable for your body.

FAQs about When to Resume Exercising after Facelift Surgery

What happens if I exercise too soon after my facelift?

• While it’s tempting to jump back into your fitness routine, exercising too soon after a facelift can hinder your recovery and impact your results. It can increase swelling, delay healing at the incision sites, elevate the risk of bleeding, and potentially lead to complications.

My friend was back in the gym two weeks after her facelift. Why can’t I?

• Everyone’s recovery journey is unique. The timeline for resuming exercise depends on various factors, including the extent of your facelift, your overall health, and your body’s natural healing pace. Dr. Watts will provide personalised recommendations based on your specific case.

Are there any alternative activities I can do during the initial recovery weeks to stay active without jeopardising my healing?

• Absolutely! Focus on gentle movement like short walks around your house, light stretching (avoiding strain on your face and neck), and deep breathing exercises. These activities can improve blood circulation, reduce stiffness, and promote relaxation without compromising your healing.

I’m feeling great – can I skip ahead in the timeline if I feel up to it?

• While it’s fantastic that you’re feeling good, it’s essential to follow Dr. Watts’ guidance regarding the timeline for resuming exercise. Dr. Watts has a deep understanding of the healing process and will ensure you’re not pushing yourself too hard, too soon.

When can I resume facial exercises or treatments like facials?

• It’s best to consult with Dr. Watts regarding the appropriate time to resume facial exercises or treatments. Dr. Watts will assess your healing progress and advise you on when it’s safe to incorporate these activities back into your routine.

Further Reading about Face Surgery with Perth Plastic Surgeon Dr. Guy Watts

• Read more about Recovery after Facelift Surgery
• Read more about Top 5 ways to improve your nose  
• Read more about Solutions for an Overly Prominent Chin
• Read more about What are Hooded Upper Eyelids? – Causes & Solutions
• Read more about What Is Jaw Augmentation?
• Read more about When to Resume Exercising after Facelift Surgery

Medical References about Facelift Surgery

• Midface-Lift Patient Satisfaction: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study – NCBI
• Total Facelift: Forehead Lift, Midface Lift, and Neck Lift – NCBI
• Facelift Surgery – American Society of Plastic Surgeon
• Deep Plane Facelift – NCBI
• Deep Plane Facelift – PubMed