Hard Swelling and Brusing on Lower Cheek After Face Lift Three Weeks Ago

Each situation is unique and only your surgeon knows the specific details of your procedure and should be the person commenting on post-operative questions such as this

Thank you for your question for sharing your concerns with us. Swelling and firmness in the tissues will return to normal as time passes by. Between the first and second week, much of your swelling and bruising will dissipate.  This will be prolonged in the setting of a hematoma.  Hematomas vary in presentation.  Large ones that may compromise the tissue viability or the surgical goals should be evacuated.  Smaller ones may be observed and can resolve on their own with time. Lymphatic massage maybe an option to help clear the swelling/bruising and firmness at a faster pace. I would make sure that you continue to follow up with your plastic surgeon during this period of time.

Swelling and bruising is normal after a facelift and, on average, lasts about 14 days. Of course, that is an average and there are people on either side of that number. There are younger patients who only bruise for 5-7 days and there are older individuals who bruise and swell for 6 weeks but on average, 14 days is what most people get.The amount and duration of the swelling and bruising depends on several factors such as diet before the procedure, medications, herbal supplements, activity after the procedure, age (vessels are more fragile as one ages), the extent of the procedure, other concomitant procedures adding to the bruising, habits such as smoking, and envirnomental factors such as heat, excessive sneezing or coughing, etc. You can help bruising by increasing your intake of pineapple, arnica montana, and papaya extract; all of these have been shown to minimize bruising formation. To improve an existing bruise, consider lympatic massage by your surgeon's office, topical arnica montana, and topical vit K in addition to increasing intake of green leafy vegetables. Hematomas, a collection of blood under the skin, even when cleared still leaves behind a residual amount of blood under the skin and can prolong the bruising period. If there is a small hematoma, you can let it resolve on its own but this will take about 6-8 weeks to resolve and may require some steroid injections afterwards.  In the end, bruising always goes away, but can be a nuisance when it doesn't resolve as expected. Good Luck!

  I vote that this is probably a hematoma, just like your doctor said, and that it will almost certainly resolve with time (think 3-6 months).  I think you try not to worry, reassure your wife and that continued observation and patience is the answer.

Uniform swelling and some bruising after facelift can be expected.  However, asymmetrical swelling or excessive bruising is unusual and must be investigated.  While hematomas usually occur in the first hours to days, it is possible to have a delayed hematoma.  Your surgeon can drain the fluid in the office.  However, if they are unsure of the diagnosis, then they can arrange for an ultrasound guided drainage. 

 

Good Luck.