What I Wish I Knew Before My Facelift Recovery

Ok… it’s time to tell the truth.

For several months I’ve been posting on Facebook about recovery. What I didn’t mention was that this was a choice I made—to have a facelift.

You see, I’ve always said I wanted one facelift in my lifetime. I got to the point (ok… maybe age 😉) where it felt like now or never.

I’m going to be vulnerable here and share my “before” pictures with you. These were taken at the doctor’s office as part of my pre-op consultation.

 So when I made the decision to move forward—with a facelift and laser treatment—I did what most people do. I researched doctors, had consultations, asked questions, and made sure I felt confident in my choice.

What I didn’t fully do… was research the recovery process.

Not just the “you’ll need a few weeks to heal” version…
but the real, day-by-day, what does this actually look and feel like kind of understanding.

And if I could go back—that’s what I would do differently.

The Part No One Really Prepares You For

Recovery is not just physical. It’s emotional too.

You go from being active and independent… to suddenly very limited.

There is a long list of what you can’t do:

• no working out
• no lifting
• no bending over
• no pushing yourself

And a very short list of what you can do.

At first, you’re told to rest—and that sounds easy enough. But rest isn’t always easy when your body feels uncomfortable and your mind is trying to catch up with everything that’s happening.

I learned that rest isn’t just about healing your body…
it’s about protecting your mind from getting stuck in the discomfort, while giving your body time to heal and conform to the new.

The Reality of Healing Skin

The laser recovery was something I truly wasn’t prepared for—and one thing I learned quickly is this:

Everyone’s skin heals differently.

My skin is very sensitive, and it reacted in a way that required extra care and attention. It became extremely red, tender, and reactive. It felt hot… and honestly, the last thing I wanted to do was touch it.

And yet—that’s part of the process.

One of the biggest lessons for me was around the healing ointment. I was advised to gently work it into the skin, but because of my sensitivity, I struggled with that. Instead of fully rubbing it in, I let it sit more on the surface.

That felt easier in the moment—but it also led to some buildup that later had to be carefully removed.

And I’ll be honest… that part wasn’t fun.
Looking back, I can see that I had made the choice not to fully work the ointment in as instructed, because my skin felt so sensitive.
In that moment, I was trying to protect it… but it also changed part of the healing process.

What I came to understand is this:

Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all.

It requires listening to your body, working closely with your provider, and adjusting as you go—especially if your skin (or your situation) responds differently than expected.

There is also a balance in healing—
between honoring your sensitivity… and gently working through discomfort when needed.

Because sometimes the very things that feel uncomfortable in the moment…
are part of what allows true healing to take place.

Always follow the guidance of your medical provider and do what is best for your unique situation.

The Commitment to the Process

There were moments I wanted to speed things up.

Moments I wondered if I was doing everything right.

Moments that felt long… and honestly, lonely. I felt isolated, and in many ways I was, because I didn’t go out publicly much. I wasn’t ready to put myself out there.

But what I’ve come to understand is this (truth is, I already knew this… but it’s very different when you’re the one going through it rather than coaching someone else through it):

Healing is a process that requires commitment.

You have to follow the steps.
You have to stay patient.
And you have to trust what’s happening beneath the surface—even when you can’t see it yet.

What’s Happening Beneath the Surface

There is so much going on that you don’t see—and I didn’t know.

Collagen is rebuilding.
Tissues are settling.
Nerves are waking up.

That’s where the tingling, the pulling, the tightness come from.

At times it feels strange. At times it feels uncomfortable. But it’s all part of your body doing exactly what it was designed to do—heal and restore.

And even when you think you’re almost done… you’re still in progress.

At three months, I still notice:

• redness if I’m in the sun too long
• occasional tightness or pulling
• moments that remind me I’m still healing

The Jaw Bra (Yes… Let’s Talk About It)

I can’t not mention the jaw bra.

Finding one that was comfortable for my sensitive skin was a challenge. It actually became my mission to find one that didn’t irritate my already irritated skin, while still giving the support I needed.

And yet… wearing it is so important.

It supports what the doctor has done—to help everything stay where it’s supposed to while your body heals. And believe me, I definitely did not want to risk undoing anything.

Another reminder that healing often requires doing things that aren’t always comfortable… but it is necessary.

The Bigger Lesson

What I didn’t expect was how much this physical healing would mirror emotional healing.

Whether it’s medical… relational… or personal…

The same principles apply:

• it takes time
• it requires patience
• it asks for trust
• and it rarely feels as easy as we hoped

But the reward comes when you stay committed to the process.

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering this procedure—or if you’re in the middle of your own healing journey—here’s what I would say:

Do your research—not just on the decision, but on the process.

Prepare your heart as much as your body.

And don’t give up in the middle.

Because what you’re feeling…
what you’re experiencing…
what feels slow or uncomfortable…

doesn’t mean something is wrong.

It means you’re healing.

💛 It’s not done… it’s in progress.

The next post in this series, What My Healing Journey Taught Me (That Had Nothing to Do With My Face), will drop on Thursday! Be sure to look for it.