Patients need to understand that the postoperative period following a facelift can be quite a daunting one. It is not so much a question of pain although the bandages can make it feel quite tight. This is partly due to the bandages and partly due to the muscle tightening that is performed at the time of the cosmetic surgery. As such even after the bandages are removed your face will still feel tight and will continue to feel so in the first few days, particularly as the swelling starts to set in. As a result of this tightening, you will also feel that you cannot open or close your mouth properly(even though you actually can!) You will initially look in the mirror and probably be shocked that you do not look anything like the fresher, better face you were hoping to achieve with the facelift! In fact you will probably feel you look hideous, swollen, distorted and uneven. During this time, many patients actually hate both themselves and their surgeon for having done this. This is NORMAL! It will however settle in the next 2-3 weeks and you will once again start to like your cosmetic surgeon and be pleased with yourself for doing it! After the bandages are removed, your hair will be carefully washed and you may then return home. Over the next few days your hair should be washed daily with a gentle shampoo, obviously exercising care in the suture area. As mentioned above all the stitches are dissolving and will not need to be removed. We normally see patients at about 6-7 days afterwards to assess your progress. You will be provided with full postoperative care instructions, which you are kindly asked to follow.