Facelift: Q&A
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Hardness After Facelift?
I am concerned about the "ropey" feeling on the side of my neck, and hard ridges on the sides of my face, and the severe hardness, not sure if it's just swelling as I had my facelift surgery 12 days ago. If it's swelling, I will just give it more time as this seems to be a slow process. My expectations were so much different from the reality, and I am of course worried, which doesn't help.
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19 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
marjayrey
+2
Healing during Facelift
This can be normal after facelift. These areas require patience and massage before resolution will occur. You are just 12 days into your recovery. Time heals all wounds.
Dr. ES
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Healing after a facelift
At 12 days, your healing is within the spectrum of normal. I usually tell my patients that you will be 'restaurant ready' or appear 'presentable' after 7-10 days , however, the numbess, bumpiness and hardness after the procedure varies from patient to patient depending on the skin quality and extent of procedure performed and that can take from 2-6m to completely dissipate.
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Swelling after surgery
Your description can be very normal after a face lift. These are areas of inflammation where increased blood flow and swelling can make the area more firm than the surrounding tissue. This will almost definitely subside in the coming weeks. As I've said many times- patience is the most difficult part of surgery!
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Hard Ridges on Side of Face and Neck 12 Days after Facelift
Hardness as well as lumps are normal at 12 days following a face and neck lift. The hardness may take 3 to 6 months to soften, but most of the swelling is gone by 2 to 6 weeks, depending upon what was done and how it was done.
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Hardness after facelift
12 days is still very soon after your surgery, and you will be experiencing swelling and tightness at this time. It can take some time before the side effects resolve, and it is important to be patient during the healing process. In the meantime, I would recommend speaking with your surgeon regarding any concerns, and seeing him or her for a follow-up if necessary. Thank you, and best of luck with the remainder of your recovery.
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Is Firmness in the Neck Normal After Facelift?
Yes, this is totally normal 12 days after a face and necklift. This will improve with time as swelling diminishes and your healing progresses. What you describe is totally normal at this point in your recovery. I hope this information is helpful.
Stephen Weber, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon
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Facial and neck tissue swelling is common after facelift procedures
The firmness and tissue ridging that you describe is common after face and neck lift procedures. It will take several months for the tissues to return to a normal, soft and pliable state. Massage along the regions of concern is effective, as is external ultrasound therapy.
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Hardness After Facelift
Thank you for your question.
To clarify, I am a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic procedures, including all newer aspects of the short scar procedures. I'm also a proud member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). I am board certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery. I am also an active member of the American College of Surgeons.
After many patients...
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I would not worry at this point, it is OK to have lumpiness 2 weeks after facelift
Given that it is still quite early in your recovery, I would not worry. Contour irregularities (lumps, bumps, ridges, depressions) are pretty common after facelifts and may persist for a couple months. They will likely diminsh steadily and eventually go away. In our practice we combine home massage and in office ultra-sound to help speed the process along. Best of luck!
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Ridges post face
This is normal.since you are only 12 days post op just give it soem more time.Gentle massage and heat may help it resolve more quickly.
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Healing and Facelift
Every patient heals at a different rate. Since you are only 12 days post-op, be sure to follow up with your Plastic Surgeon for the best result.
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When In Doubt...Ask Your Surgeon!
At two weeks post-op, it is not unusual for patients to note the "ropey feeling" and areas of firmness you have observed in your face and neck. While most of these findings can be attributed to post-operative swelling and inflammation, their etiology may also be a function of the type of facelift your surgeon performed.
For instance, if your surgeon performed an extended biplanar SMAS facelift with an aggressive plication of the platysma to accentuate the contour and improve...
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Hardness after face lift
The areas of firmness you describe would be common at this stage after a face lift. Gentle massage often helps, but get your surgeon's permission. Healing is a dynamic process that goes on for months after surgery. Usually it is quite remarkable how good a job mother nature does if you giver her time.
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Recovering From a Facelift
All of this sounds normal. Everyone has some residual "hardness" (especially in front of the ears) that can last for several months.This is enough of a problem that in order to help with this we offer lymphatic massage to all of our patients in the first 2 weeks after surgery, which eliminates this postoperative "hardness" very quickly. in all, it doesn't sound like you need to be worried. If your surgeon is not concerned, you probably can rest easy as well.Your final point, however, is a...
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Skin hardness after Facelift
12 days after facelift surgery is still very early in the healing process. It's expected to have a degree of firmness or hardness after cosmetic surgery. Most of this sensation is usually due to swelling. Keeping the head elevated, ice packs, salt restriction, and following your plastic surgeon's care instructions will help maximize healing and minimize swelling. Facial massage may help too soften the skin. However, you must speak with him/her regarding any issues you have. Best of luck...
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12 days postop is very early, swelling is very common at this stage
Swelling can feel like the things you are experiencing. Facelifts always take some time to recover from. I think your expectations will be met after your recovery period is over.
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Hardness After a Facelift May Need Treatment
While all of the previous answers are true, there are instances when hardness or ropeyness will need to be treated. If the hardness is secondary to a collection of fluid underneath the skin, the hardness may be secondary to the skin not proper adhering to the skin. After removing the excess fluid, this can be an area of increase inflammation. In these instances, I may choose to inject to the area with 5-fluorouracil to help the area heal.
I hope this helps
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Charlotte Facial Plastic Surgeon
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Am I healing normally?
The sensations that you are feeling are common when recovering from a facelift. Patients often experience hardness in the cheeks and below the chin that gradually softens but may take a few months to completely resolve. A compression garment and gentle massaging may help expedite the healing process. I would make sure that you are compliant with your surgeon's post-operative instructions and follow up with him or her to ensure that you are healing according to plan. Patience and compliance...
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Recovering after a facelift
The recovery period after facelift happens in stages. The main bruising and swelling will resolve after two to three weeks, and it is often normal to feel some ridges and thickness underneath the skin for up to three months. These can related to the regions which were tightened and sutured..
Once the area starts to heal a little more, your surgeon might recommend massaging the areas to help the "ropey" feeling soften.
You are still very early in the healing process after your surgery...
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