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Numbness and Lumpiness After Facelift?

asked 3 years ago by cindymd in Rockville, MD
Latest answer by Jana K. Rasmussen, MD
Question viewed 6,278 times
Tags: cheeks, chin, face, jaw, lumps

Hi, I had a Facelift procedure about 3.5 weeks ago. I am still experiencing numbness on my cheeks, jaw and under chin.

It also feels lumpy under my skin, noticeable especially around the area where the cyst was removed which is right on both side of my mouth. Is it something I should be concerned about? Please advice. Thank you.

12 answers to Numbness and Lumpiness After Facelift?

The healing process from facelift surgery

After undergoing a Facelift or any surgery, your body undergoes a process of inflammation and healing. Although the sutures are usually removed in the first week after surgery, the healing process continues for up to 1 year. All patients having a Facelift develop numbness in the cheeks since the skin of the face is lifted away from the underlying tissues. As a result, the nerves are no longer communicating with the skin. Fortunately, the nerves usually recover fully and the feeling returns... more

A. Peter Salas, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

This can be normal but having good follow up is essential

Lumpiness, swelling, and numbness after a facelift / mini lift / s lift / weekend face lift can be a normal thing. Lumpiness is usually due to a number of factors of which include; fluid collection, inflammation, sutures, and cysts. Most of the time, the lumpiness will go away with time. At times, your surgeon may consider steroid injections to help the lumpiness. Although, time is a better alternative. Steroids injections can cause their own problems like skin thinning that is hard to... more

Philip Young, MD
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Early swelling concerns

After a facelift, it does take some time for the face to heal. Numbness occurs in almost all facelifts but is temporary. It is quite uncommon for numbness to persist after a year. Lumpiness is some of the underlying tissue healing. This will improve from a week to week basis. Discuss these concerns with your surgeon.

Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

Numbness is normal

Since it has only been three-and-a-half weeks from the facelift surgery, it is perfectly normal to expect numbness around the ears, next to the incisions and underneath the chin as well. This will most likely resolve completely on its own within the first six months after the surgery. There can be some lumpiness associated with the healing process underneath the chin and the neck that will also fade away with time

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Healing after facelift

It is completely normal to notice some lumpiness and numbness in this time frame after your facelift surgery. Your body heals in a very systematic manner. With more time, these issues will continue to improve. Don't be surprise if the lumpiness becomes more noticeable to you in the months ahead. They will improve markedly after 6 months.

T.Y. Steven Ip, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Numbness and Lumpiness after Facelift are normal

Yes, this is normal. Our verbal and written instructions warn patients to expect numbness, lumps and bumps and pink firm incision lines for a good while after a face lift. It subsides quicker in some people than in others, but it is normal and expected. In fact, it would be rare to have a patient who did not experience some degree of these healing conditions.

Phillip Langsdon, MD
Germantown Facial Plastic Surgeon

Numbness and Lumpiness after Facelift

Feelings of uneveness and lumpiness under your facial skin are normal signs of swelling and healing. In addition, if you would not have some numbness of the cheeks and neck, I would be concerned that your surgeon did not do an appropriate face and neck lift... Joking aside, all of the things you are describing are within the expected range of normal 3 1/2 weeks after your facelift. Stay in close touch with your surgeon so that you can discuss any abnormalities or concerns if they should arise. more

Frank P. Fechner, MD
Worcester Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drfechner.com

All your symptoms are within normal

Hello It is normal to have numbness for several months after a facelift. Likewise, you will notice small areas of lumpiness as some residual swelling disappears. Sometimes small collections of blood appear as lumps and they resolve with massage and time. Be sure to point all those areas to your doctor and ask for any advice on speeding up the recovery.

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

All this is normal

It is normal to be numb where the skin was lifted up to accomplish the facelift. The feeling will come back over the next few months. The firmness in the area where a cyst was removed is not unexpected and should soften with time and massage. Stick close to your doctor and follow their recommendations. Most of this will resolve fairly soon.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Endermologie Can Help "Lumpiness" after Facelift

As all surgeons here have mentioned, sensory loss after facelift is not a possibility, It is a probability. Based on my experience, I usually tell my patients they may begin to get some sensation back as early as a month post-op, but it may take at least 6 months to a year for sensation to be normal....and rarely, it may never be normal. Healing is a process....it doesn't just start and then stop, so be patient and allow your body to heal. About lumpiness, this too,... more

Jana K. Rasmussen, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Numbness after a facelift

Numbness is quite common after a facelift. Thsi usually gets better over a 6-8 weeks periiod. As for lumpiness, this may be swelling. Give it some time or speak with your doctor.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Numbness After Facelift Is Temporary

Your description of numbness and "lumpiness" under the chin after Facelift is completely normal and will improve. Wound healing must go through a process (which no Surgeon can alter), until a steady state is achieved. This process takes about a year or 4 seasons. Good Luck!