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Cheek Swollen 2 Years After Facelift

asked 1 year ago by Maui Girl in Maui, HI
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 869 times
Tags: age 45-54, female, chipmunk cheeks, options, swelling

I am 52 and had a full face lift and eye lift 2 yrs ago, the surgery took 8 hours and the right side of my face was quite bruised and swollen for quite some time. Now my right side is still quite a bit bigger than my left side, when I smile I look like a chipmunk on one side. Still have very little feeling in that cheek. Is there anything I can do? I did ultrasound for up to a year after the surgery. I also have very noticable scars on my eyelids. and the scars behind my ears still ache too.

17 answers to Cheek Swollen 2 Years After Facelift

+3

Long term asymmetry and swelling after a facelift

Your best best is to consult with several top surgeons who have considerable experience in revisional facelift surgery. Your problem at this point is complex and will require great experience and judgment. The correct solution (if there is a good one) will likely jump out at you during on of your consultations.
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

+1

Cheek swelling 2 years after a facelift.

Cheek swelling 2 years after a facelift is not normal. You need to see an experienced facelift surgeon to have an examination and plan to correct the problem.
Toby Mayer, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

+3

Face lifts move a very large area.

It is important to understand going into a surgery what to expect.  Unfortunately not all surgeons are very good and communicating these issues and some patients are not do good a probing for information from their doctor.  The fullness you are describing is likely were the deep tissues were cinched up by your surgery to tighten the deep planes.  Some surgeons are more likely to have this issue than others.  Generally this is a very difficult issue to improve with... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+3

Several possible solutions

If your scars are still thick and do ache, they can be injected with cortisone.  It may take several sessions but the chronic ache will usually subside The eyelid scar can be easily revised by removing the thick portion and the second healing is likely to be much better. It is almost impossible to reduce the size of the swollen side, but the the other side can be conservatively augmented to create a better match.  Typically either Sculptra or Radiesse can be used... more
Nathan Mayl, MD

Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon
+2

Assymetry after a facelift

Essentially we are talking about a significant asymmetry after a facelift that has persisted.  The initial asymmetry may have been a hematoma which resolved over time but let some residual swelling.  The chip monk look may be the muscles of that portion of the face contracting over some scar tissue.  Your best option may be some judicious liposuction on the larger side to attain more symmetry.  The chip monk look may not be reversible at this time. All the best... more
Talmage J. Raine, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cheek Swollen 2 Years After Facelift

It is very difficult to answer your question without seeing you in person and examining you - there are a number of possibilities here with different treatment options
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facial asymmetry years after face lift

Thanks for your question - This sounds like there may be scar tissue from residual hematoma or fat necrosis. The question is how best to restore balance to your face. This may include fat grafting to one side or scar resection. The key is to find a plastic surgeon familliar with facelift redos. (Something we see a fair amount of in our San Francisco office.) I hope this helps!
Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.trivalleyplasticsurgery.com

+1

2 Years after a facelift

The symptoms you describe are not common, I would also recommend consulting with a facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon that has experience in revision facelift surgery. It is very helpful to review before pictures as oftentimes a facial asymmetry is present before the procedure was performed. Best of luck, and let us know if you have any additional questions.
Richard Castellano, MD

Tampa Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Yes, a revision facelift can help improve asymmetry

Face lift and eyelid procedures unfortunately can some times lead to asymmetry. Your story is a common one in that you likely had a blood or fluid collection on the right side and as it resolved, there was possibly increased scarring leading to the discrepency between the right and left side. Revision facelift procedure can often help improve the asymmetry and impove outcome. see video
Babak Azizzadeh, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

8 hours is a very long time for a Facelift-swelling on one side at 2 years is a problem

My guess based on your history is that you had excessive bleeding on the right side during your Facelift. You may have had a Hematoma, a collection of blood that was not drained or removed. After two years a Hematoma forms a large lump of scar tissue which can be visible and palpable. 8 hours seems an unusually long time for your surgery which raises some questions in my mind. I suggest that you consult an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who is experienced in Facelift... more
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

+1

Facelifting may reveal asymmetry, defects you didn't know were there.

Lifting the face is a revealing phenomenon.  The true bone structure that was apparent when young may have been hidden by laxity and drapes of skin.  Buccal (cheek) fat may be more excessive on one side, but the asymmetry was concealed by the laxity.  Subclinical hematoma may have stimulated scar tissue formation and be a contributing factor.  History is important and is considered, but what matters more than how you got here is where you are.  Something as simple as... more
Ritu Chopra, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Asymmetry and painful scars 2 yrs. after face lift

Symmetry in the face while being desirable may not reflect your pre-op facial appearance. You need to speak with your surgeon regarding what you looked like before surgery and the way you are now. Several things can cause the assymetry. An organized hematoma sounds most likely. You had the swelling post op, I suspect that your surgeon was treating this using the ultrasound. The fact it persists probably means that it has undergone some changes that have made it a permanent defect. You will... more
Jon Sattler, MD

Glendora Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cheek Swelling 2 Years After Facelift

Two years after facelift, there is no true "swelling" left in the sense that this will go away. Rather, I would argue that this is your final outcome after surgery. If there are asymmetries, then these represent the result of surgery and your own structure combined. If you were face was symmetrical before the facelift, then this is a result of the surgery. Balance and symmetry are desirable. In order to gain better symmetry, most likely one would add to the... more
Frank P. Fechner, MD

Worcester Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drfechner.com

+1

Swollen Cheek 2 Years after Facelift

The scars should not be swollen and tender 2 years after surgery. Steroid injections can improve the appearance and stop or minimize the pain. Scar excision may be necessary.  The long term swelling on the right side of your face is probably secondary to a hematoma after surgery which has organized resulting in persistent scarring. Consult with your surgeon or get a second opinion regarding treatment options.
Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Face Lift, Beverly Hills Face Lift, Local Face Lift, Radiesse, perlane, Cheek Implants

I have performed Face Lifts for over 20 years and from what you describe, it could be the result of increased scar tissue, in the right cheek area, after the original Face Lift.  It's always a good idea to return to the plastic and cosmetic surgeon that did the original Face Lift so he/she can explaion what you may be seeing and feeling.  Unless you had Cheek Implants placed during your Face Lift, there's red discoloration of the skin over the Right Cheek or increased... more
Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Painful scars after facelift

After two years, it is generally accepted that the incisions should be fully-healed or mature. Painful incisions can mean abnormal healing and should be seen by a surgeon. Sometimes they can be injected with a steroid or can be treated with laser. Occasionally, it is more appropriate for them to be cut out and the incision closed again more carefully. If there are still differences between the right and left side of your face, this also should be examined by a surgeon. Sometimes these... more
Gregory J. Vipond, MD

Pasadena Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cheek Swollen 2 Years After Facelift

A swollen right cheek and unsightly scars ,consult your plastic surgeon and let him tell you what are your options.
Erel Laufer, M.D.

Tampa Plastic Surgeon

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