I Am Having Bilateral Swelling of my Glands (Parotids, I Believe) Almost 7 Wks Post Facelift (Included Lipo Under Chin & Jowls)?

I did not have prominent glands prior to this so it is not that they have merely been exposed & I can tell by touching the area that there is still swelling. I was hoping my lower face would not still be looking so full at this point. I know it can take awhile for all swelling to resolve, but is there any cause for concern, anything I can do to reduce it, and how long should I anticipate this area/glands to stay swollen? Thank you.

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by giniad

Doctor Answers (7)
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Parotid gland swelling after a face lift

It is hard to tell if you are having swelling from your parotid gland. Chances are that it is just swelling in the face after a face lift. When you pull up tissue into the face area it tends to bunch up there. So this could all be part of your facelift. This usually comes down quite a bit.

Philip Young, MD

6 reviews

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Swelling of Both Parotid Glands Would Be Unusual After a Facelift

The parotid glands are 2 large salivary glands that are in front of the ears around the jaw. They are a formation of many small glands that produce saliva the eventually flow into one large duct, Stensen's duct, before emptying around the 2nd molar of the upper teeth. During a facelift, the parotid gland should not be disturbed, damaged, or disrupted. It is at a level deeper than the area of surgery for a facelift. There are times during the procedure where a... more

Swollen parotids after surgery

I dont think so. It could be a blocked salivary duct which is an easy thing to correct. I feel the swelling in this are is not parotid. The parotids arent even in the same field. I would have your doctor evaluate it and an mri will prove it is not parotid

Bilateral Swelling of Glands after a Facelift

It is very unlikely that your glands are swelling after a facelift. They are not normally exposed with this surgery. If the parotid is penetrated or the ducts violated the glands could swell, but this is not likely with this operation. Talk to your surgeon about the swelling.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

9 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

I Am Having Bilateral Swelling of my Glands (Parotids, I Believe) Almost 7 Wks Post Facelift (Included Lipo Under Chin & Jowls)

You might discuss this with your Face Lift Surgeon and have a simple test of Stensen's duct of each Parotid gland to be sure they are open and operational. If your Face Lift Surgeon is unsure of this test, have him refer you to an ENT who would also be able to further evaluate the glands.

Swelling after facelift

Everybody heals at their own unique pace. Some heal rapidly, others require more time. It is not uncommon for facelift swelling to take more than three months to completely resolve. The parotid glands are just in front of the ear and can extend down to the bottom of the ear lobe. The muscle layer in the face that is lifted and suspended is actually on top of the parotid gland. This would make it unlikely that the glands are exposed. It is possible that you still have a significant amount of... more

Todd C. Miller, MD

10 reviews

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.toddmillermd.com

Swollen glands after facelift, probably not

Swelling after facelift will not involve the parotid glands so you can count this out as an explanation of your facial swelling. Stiffness and fullness after seven weeks is cause for a visit with your surgeon to discuss your progress.