What to Eat After Facelift Surgery: A Guide

Dr. Sumit Bapna · February 12, 2025

Posted In: Facelift • General

Every routine facelift comes with a recovery period where facial swelling and pain can make mealtime a little more challenging, complicating your decisions on what to eat after facelift surgery.

This is completely normal, but knowing the right foods to eat after a facelift can make all the difference in a comfortable, nourished recovery.

Experts like Dr. Bapna and the surgical team at Ohio Facial Plastics are here to guide you across the best post and even best pre-facelift diet, with an eye toward anti-inflammatory yet filling foods.

Why The Right Diet Matters After Facelift Surgery

Your body is in healing mode after a facelift, meaning it’s dedicating more resources to repairing tissue, reducing swelling, and healing any surgical scars and bruising. The foods you eat directly influence how well your body performs these healing tasks.

A post-surgery facelift diet should center on several things: Nutrient density, anti-inflammation, and energy maintenance. Foods that check these boxes not only support your healing, but avoid complications that can amplify facial pain and tenderness. For example, hard foods or food that require a lot of chewing can cause irritation that slows recovery and increases your discomfort — the opposite of what you want in your post-surgery diet.

Post-Surgery Foods to Prioritize for a Smooth Recovery

Soft, nutrient-dense foods are the stars of a post-facelift surgery menu. Focus on incorporating the following into your diet to keep meals balanced and recovery aligned.

Protein-Rich Foods

Protein is the building block of tissue repair. After surgery, your body is in need of as much additional protein as possible to rebuild collagen and heal incisions.

Protein packed but soft foods to eat after a facelift include:

• Greek yogurt
• Scrambled eggs
• Protein smoothies or shakes
• Tofu
• Lentils
• Nut butters

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Inflammation is a byproduct and inevitable bodily response to surgery. That said, amplifying inflammation post-surgery by eating the wrong foods will slow your healing, making it harder for your body to come down from swelling.

Dr. Bapna recommends incorporating an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich diet into your surgery aftercare, particularly within your first two weeks.

Soft foods rich in anti-inflammatory compounds like antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids include:

• Berries
• Leafy greens (i.e. spinach)
• Fatty fish (try steamed or mashed options to help with chewing)
• Bananas
• Turmeric and ginger powders
• Beans and lentils
• Olive oil

Hydrating Foods and Fluids

Staying hydrated is essential for healing. Not only do drinks and hydrating foods support circulation and swelling recovery, but they help maintain steady energy levels.

Consider incorporating any of these hydrating options into mealtimes:

• Soup or bone broth
• Herbal teas
• Fruit-infused water
• Low-sugar citrus juices and low-sugar electrolyte drinks
• Hydrating produce like watermelon, oranges, cucumbers, and grapes.

Soft, Easy-to-Chew Foods

Chewing may feel uncomfortable after a facelift, particularly in the first 3-5 days immediately after surgery.

Stick to soft, easy-to-bite options made from mostly whole ingredients. These dishes will ensure you feel full after eating and receive proper nutrition but won’t cause excessive, painful chewing:

• Oatmeal
• Applesauce
• Mashed potatoes
• Smoothies
• Soups and broths
• Yogurt
• Avocados

Multivitamins, Foods Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

Specific vitamins and minerals support collagen production, immune function, circulation, and wound healing. Ensure your post-surgery diet includes as many foods as possible rich in zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin C. These vitamins and minerals are especially important fuel helping your body repair.

What Foods to Avoid After Facelift Surgery

Bear in mind certain foods can slow down your recovery, or exacerbate pain and discomfort during mealtime.

Hard-to-Chew Foods

Avoid dishes that require heavy chewing in your first few days post-surgery, allowing your jaw and facial muscles more energy to heal. Think tougher cooked cuts of meats, raw vegetables and fruits, nuts, cereals, and thick toasted breads.

Salty and Processed Foods

While a little sodium works as an important muscle and nerve regulator, too much offsets your body’s natural, healthy fluid ratios. Recovering from facelift surgery already puts added strain on fluid retention and hydration thanks to the added swelling and inflammation. Because of this, be mindful of overly consuming salty snacks and processed foods.

Sugary and Fatty Foods

Both high-fat and high-sugar foods trigger inflammation, slowing your facelift recovery. Treats like pastries, fried food, soda, alcohol, and chips are best saved for at least a week after surgery.

Note that not all fats and not all sugars are made equal. The natural fructose contained in fruits, for instance, is absorbed slower and digested differently thanks to its pairing with fiber; while omega-3 fatty acids are considered quite healthy during recovery.

Spicy and Acidic Foods

High-acidity foods can irritate your already sensitive tissue. The same goes for dishes with high heat levels from chiles and spices. Try sticking with milder flavors during your first week of recovery, gradually reintroducing your favorite acidic or spicy dishes.

More Tips to Enjoy Your Food After Surgery

• Avoid straws when possible. While straws can help with sipping fluids, especially in the first 24-48 hours post-facelift, you want to avoid relying too much on creating ongoing suction. These can actually strain facial muscles and slow down your healing.
• Consider meal prepping before surgery. Stock up on soft, recovery-friendly foods and filling snacks before your surgery to make cooking stress-free. Plus, you’ll save a lot of energy.
• Eat smaller portions. Smaller, more frequent meals can help maintain more stable energy levels, ensuring your body has a consistent healing fuel source.

When to Consult With a Physician About Your Facelift Diet

Following Dr. Bapna’s post-treatment plan is essential for a successful facelift recovery. Contact your physician if:

• If medications are affecting your appetite, especially if medications make you lose your appetite or consistently trigger nausea.
• If it’s too painful to eat or open your jaw.
• If you’re experiencing facial numbness or difficulty swallowing that lasts more than 48 hours.

Your doctor can review these complications and adjust your aftercare plan, plus recommend alternative diet solutions to ensure you’re as nourished and comfortable as possible.

Book a Facelift Consultation

At Ohio Facial Plastics, Dr. Bapna specializes in blending science and artistry for stunning, natural, rejuvenating results. Whether you’re considering a traditional facelift or a mini facelift, our team is here to guide you every step of the way, from pre-surgery prep to healthy aftercare.

Call us or complete our contact form to book your consultation today!