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Cheeks Tingling and Stretching Downward After Facelift?

I'm concerned about a weird tingling, slightly painful feeling I am having in my upper cheeks after Facelift. I see some slight bruising and the cheek muscles feel like they are stretching downward. It hurts to lie on my side in bed. And perhaps its my imagination, but I see slight jowls again if i hold my head a certain way. My husband swears he sees nothing. But my concern is this tingling pain in my cheeks and I wonder if my cheeks are sliding down their original position as the sutures dissolve?

Asked 31 months ago by Dana114 in Houston

Read my review "Happy with Facelift for Jowls and Droopy Skin (52 Years Old)"

Sort 8 expert answers by:
+3

Relax, I'm sure you're fine

Without knowing how long since your surgery it's difficult to say. But if you're talking about bruising than you must be withing the first two weeks. Regardless of what kind of face lift was done the tingling in the cheeks is due to the return of sensation. The skin is elevated off of the underlying cheek tissue in a standard facelift. Because of this the nerve endings are disrupted and have to reestablish themselves. As the nerves return you will go through many changes in sensation... more
Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon
+3

Healing after Facelift

From your description about the presence of bruising, I am guessing that your facelift was done within the past few weeks. During this early healing period, it is normal to have tingling (as nerves regrow) that can last months. The cheek changes and jowls that you describe may be the result of the resolving swelling (edema). Immediately after a facelift, you are very swollen and your face will seem very tight and maybe even pulled too tight. As the swelling goes down, your face will begin... more
Matthew Schulman, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+3

It sounds like you are describing normal changes after a facelift

To some degree all facelifts settle as the stitches absorb. It is not realistic to expect the immediate postoperative result to last. It sounds as if the changes you describe are somewhat subtle. This is common for you to be more critical of the results than your friends and family. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon who is the best equipped to review the long term expectations. Tingling is quite common and may take 6 months or more to normalize after a facelift procedure.... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+3

Paresthesia are frequent after any lifting operation

The sensation you discribe will often develop after facelifts, tummy tucks, and breast lifts. It often will start weeks later as the nerves repair themselves. It does go away.
Nathan Mayl, MD
Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon
+3

Tingling after facelift

It's hard to give you any definitive answers without seeing before and after pictures as well as having a timeline. If you are within several weeks of surgery, then I would not be as concerned. If several months, then perhaps a bit more concerning. I suggest you discuss your symptoms with your surgeon. It won't help anyone, especially you, if you keep all your concerns to yourself. Be honest with your surgeon and let them know how you're feeling. In my practice, I find that patients who... more
Elan B. Singer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

There are several reasons for this.

 This is part of healing and can be there for several months. Done properly, it will not fall to the original position, and those feelings will go away.
Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tingling after surgery

It's not uncommon to have some tingling or "paresthesias" after facelift surgery.  I always tell patients to expect this or some numbness after surgery.  How long ago was your surgery?  In general, these feelings are the small sensory nerve endings that are recovering after your surgery.  If you have any concerns, especially about some of the bagging you may be seeing around your jowels, I'd recommend you see you plastic surgeon.  I'm sure... more
Catherine Huang-Begovic, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tingling After A Facelift

Tingling after a facelift typically occurs around the ear area and less commonly around the midface area.  Tingling can be a sign of regrowth of tiny unnamed nerves and can take between one month to sometimes a year in select cases.
Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
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