Facelift: Q&A

Ask a Question

Face Lift & Chin Implant - 8 Weeks Post-op, Keloids & Complications (photos)

Had face lift & chin implant 8 weeks ago, had some compactions (implant needed to be repositioned, developed chin infection after that, have mucoceles inside lips & have numbness of lower left jaw & lip) was recently told by an asthetician that I look like I was butchered. I still have some pain and developed keloids. My surgeon is a dual board certified facial plastic surgeon with a clear record. Am I just unlucky or a victim of a bad surgeon? Should go back to fix ear & kelois?

Tags:

Comment on this

12 Doctor Answers | Asked by Bella D

Doctor Answers (12)
Community Comments (0)

8 Weeks after Facelift and Chin Implant

Chin implants can get infected, and this is setting you back in the recovery process. You have a great deal of induration at the chin scar. This will improve. Give it time. The other scars will improve over the course of a year, and there are no keloid scars present.

Facelift keloid and scar thickening

Keloids are less likely to occur after a facelift 8 weeks after on a lighter skinned patient. More than likely your scars either represent hypertrophic scars or thicker scar formation. In some cases, scars can respond well to scar massage to help break up collagen formation. Silicone sheeting and gel can also be helpful. Kenalog and other injectables are usually quite effective in improving scar appearance. see video

Keloids after facelift

Some people are just prone to develop keloids. Topical scar gels, cortisone injections, etc will help. Malposition of implant can happen to the best surgeons. It looks like you are on the mend and your surgeon is on top of things. Be patient it takes several months for healing.

Andrew Pichler, MD

1 review

Sacramento Facial Plastic Surgeon

facedr.com

What To Do About Scars After a Facelift? Take a Deep Breath and Relax, Things Will Get Better

Sometimes, no matter how careful we are with our approach and technique, scars after a facelift and a chin implant simply don't turn out as well as we had hoped. While your scars don't look quite as good as an average patient's scars at this point, they really do appear to be healing well and will continue to improve over time. The problems you had with the chin implant are uncommon, but do happen. It sounds like your surgeon has taken care of these issues correctly. When everything goes... more

Early difficulties healing can still end with a great result

While 8 weeks seems like a long time, it takes months to heal fully from surgery. Your final result depends on the surgery and your "after care". Even the best surgeons have infections and implants that "move". If your surgeon is taking good care of you - and it sounds like he is - your end result should be fine. Don't be disheartened by a stray comment from an aesthetician. It really is unfair to make judgements at the midpoint of healing. From the... more

Face lift issues

Its unfortunate when nonproductive comments are made from paramedical specialists such as estheticians . Thank you for providing photos, it really helps your team here at RealSelf to assist you. I agree that you are far from "butchered"!! You peak irritation and redness is still a month away. I tell all my face lift patients they will really look at their best at 6 months. Get your surgeon engaged in managing these issues WITH YOU! You. Will be fine

Scarring after Facelift Surgery

Your incision lines are a bit thickened and I would expect significant improvement over the next 3 months. The same applies to the scar behind your right ear. The chin scar will not heal as well as it would have without the revision surgery and infection. Complications and healing issues, although rare, can happen and are not a sign for "butchery". You trusted your face to your plastic surgeon in the first place; therefore I would encourage you not to change path while you really need... more

Facelift complications

It's unfortunate that you had some post-operative complications. Unfortunately, infection is one of the known complications of the procedure. The incisions under your chin and behind the ear look more like hypertrophic scars rather than keloids. The fact that you had an infection will delay the healing process but I would be optimistic that you will have a good long term result. I would continue to follow up with your surgeon and be compliant with his instructions and my guess is that you... more

Todd C. Miller, MD

10 reviews

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.toddmillermd.com

Post Operative Complications After Facial Surgery

Thank you for the photos. Looking at your pictures it appears that the facelift incisions are healing well. They are appear a bit thick, but you are only 8 weeks post-op. Your chin implant incision appears the most inflamed of all of your incisions because of the infection. This will increase the amount of inflammation as well as prolong the duration of the inflammation at the surgical site. These incisions should continue to improve with time. While we typically tell our patients that they... more

Face lift, chin Implant

The incisions for the face lift are good, no keloid and will improve more in time. the scar at the chin looks as if it had been infected and has some problems. These problems need time and will get better. Keep follow up with your doctor. Once the chin scar is stable, 6 months, it can be revised if it needs it.

8 Weeks Post Operative Swelling Still Present After Facelift And Chin Implant

Dear Bella, The thickened scars you refer to as keloids would probably be better referred to as hypertrophic scars. It appears that some of them were treated behind your ear and left thinned skin and a depression. I probably wouldn't put any more Kenalog in as this may lead to more thin skin and more depression. The infection under your chin was unfortunate, but does not indicate a bad surgeon. Every surgeon has his or her own way of dealing with facial scars. I... more

Face Lift & Chin Implant - 8 Weeks Post-op, Keloids & Complications (photos)

Sorry for your issues. But from the posted photos I DO NOT see any keloids. You have very early scar tissue that has not matured yet, especially after ONLY 8 weeks. Allow more healing time, try hydrocortisone creams to scar areas, or other scar therapies. It does not appear as if you were "butchered"! Please be more patient.