Swelling or Sagging in Jowl Area After Facelift?

I am six weeks out from face lift and submentoplasty. Swelling in jowl area is starting to recede and now one side seems to be sagging. How can I tell if this is swelling/puffiness from the surgery or if it is a return of jowl sagging where it wasn't totally corrected. Will the skin tighten when the swelling subsides?

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jowls sagging swelling 6 weeks post-op

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by retired507 in Kentucky

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Swelling or residual jowls after a facelift

It is too early to say at six weeks whether or not jowls are present or if there is just fluid retention in the jowl area. It is best to wait at least three to four months before making any final determinations if any revision facelift needed to further tighten the jowls.

Face lift swelling / jowls returning after 6 weeks

This is not uncommon after 6 weeks. At this point you likely have around 60% of your healing. We usually tell people that they will have 60% of their healing / recovery complete by 6 weeks, 80-90% by 6 months. 100% can take as long as 2 years. This is based on wound healing studies and tensile breaking strength of a heal wound. The recurring jowls could be swelling that could subside but it could be the recurrence of the jowling. There are many factors that lead to recurrence or... more

Philip Young, MD

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Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelift should last a long time

Depends on what type of procedure you had done. If it was a "quickie" lift, going by various names, the results could be less than ideal. If it was a traditional facelift, several layer, performed by a reputable plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of PLastic Surgery, the results should last quite a long time and surely not this short.

Swelling or sagging in jowl area after facelift

Very unusual to see this. My guess is, because you did not post photos, a poor result. Go get a second opinion. Good Luck from MIAMI DR. B

Depends on how your facelift was done

Depending on the technique used for your facelift you may still find that there is swelling which will subside. However, if there is still significant jowling after 6 weeks, it may be that enough was not done to correct the jowling in the first place. At this point and depending on your level of confidence in your surgeon, you should see your surgeon in your regularly appointed visits to see what they recommend. If you are not getting the answers you need, you may then want to... more

Swelling after a Facelift

Hi , Swelling 6 weeks after a facelift is unusual. Although occasionally one may have some residual clotted blood that may cause this. The swelling is usually associated with bruising. At this point your skin will not tighten but continue to loosen as the tissues relax. Best, Dr.S.