Although the surgery is invasive, there is usually very little pain associated with a facelift.  There are a variety of options to control pain from facelift surgery, both during and after the procedure.

Facelifts and Anesthesia

Plastic surgeons work with anesthesiologists, specialists that manage the pain during and after surgery.  Anesthesiologists can use intravenous medications to make you sleep and relax during the procedure or use sedating drugs that eliminate pain from the incisions.   If you require unconscious anesthesia, the anesthesiologist will connect you to a ventilator that will help you breathe while you are unconscious during surgery.  If you are under conscious sedation you will not need to be connected to a ventilator unless you have respiratory problems.

Dealing with the Pain After Facelift Surgery

Once the surgery is over, bandages are applied that assist wound healing and prevent infection.  There will be some minor swelling right after the procedure is finished but will soon subside.  Some medications that are used to manage pain after surgery may impair your ability to drive a car.  Therefore, you must arrange ahead to have someone drive you home after surgery.  You should not experience excessive pain after surgery.  Complications, such as, facial nerve paralysis (paralysis of part of the face due to damage of the facial nerve), are rare and should not occur when you use an experienced plastic surgeon.  You should follow the wound care instructions at home given by your surgeon in order to prevent infection. 

Please talk to your board certified plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist regarding pain control during and after your facelift.