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How Long Does the Swelling Supposed to Last After a Face Lift and Neck Lift?

asked 1 year ago by AGDO in Mission, TX
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 1,989 times
Tags: age 55-64, female, swelling

My mom is 61 years old and she had a complete face lift and double chin removal, its been 4 months since she had the surgery and she still is very swollen and her neck is very stiff she can't turn her head at all. Some days she wakes up a bit less swollen and then get swollen again, she also says that she feels that her face gets very hot and it itches. Is all these normal??

18 answers to How Long Does the Swelling Supposed to Last After a Face Lift and Neck Lift?

+1

Swelling after Facelift

The severity of swelling and stiffness you describe is not normal 4 months after facelift surgery. Your mother should consult with her surgeon and if necessary get a second opinion.
Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

+2

Face lift, neck lift

The swelling and hardness in the neck area can be due to post operative haematoma or  lymphatic edema which can take long time to resolve. Best is to keep following with the surgeon to ensure there is no other cause to it.
Sanjay Parashar, MD

Dubai Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facelift swelling

It can be. Facelifts can remain stiff and swollen for up to a year although this is rare. Lymphatic massage is offered through our practice aesthetician which helps in most cases.
Timothy Fee, MD

Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling at 4 months

Depending on how much work was done under the chin swelling and stiffness can last beyond 4 months. Burning and itching are transient signs of nerve recovery which mean that her numbness is improving. If you have any concerns you should have her follow up with her surgeon
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Face Lift Swelling 4 months after and stiff neck

This can be normal. This is not uncommon after 4 months. At this point you likely have around 70% of your healing. We usually tell people that they will have 60% of their healing / recovery complete by 6 weeks, 80-90% by 6 months. 100% can take as long as 2 years. This is based on wound healing studies and tensile breaking strength of a heal wound. I would consult with the physician that did your procedure to assess the situation or you could always send us photos. The stiffness will get... more
Philip Young, MD

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

How long does swelling last after Face Lift?

I have performed Face Lifts for over 20 years including the newer minimal incision variations and for a full (traditional) face lift and Neck Lift, the face and neck can have residual lumps, bumps and swelling for up to 1 year. This is one of the reasons that the minimal incision face lifts with less dissection, swelling, bruising and recovery time have become so popular.
Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling and neck stiffness 4 months after a Facelift is unusual-was a Giampappa Suture used?

By four months after a Facelift I expect swelling and neck stiffness to be gone. Have your mom see your surgeon to discuss. Ask if a Giampappa Suture was used. This is a permanent suture running across the neck from ear to ear used to suspend the neck tissues. I have seen patients with prolonged neck stiffness after having this procedure by a different surgeon. Removing the suture relaxes the neck tissue and relieves the discomfort
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

+1

Swelling after a facelift

It is very possible that some swelling may persist for months after a facelift. Elevation is essential to resolving the swelling faster. Try to refrain from increased salt intake as well. Your mother should also take an active part in increasing her neck movement with gentle active execises in this area. All the best, Talmage J Raine MD FACS
Talmage J. Raine, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swollen and painful 4 mo after facelift

By 4 mo after surgery, she should be completely healed.  The pain and swelling is not a normal post-operative course.  I'd recommend she go back to her plastic surgeon to make sure everything is ok.  I'm sure he/she would be happy to see your mother and address her concerns. Dr. Cat Begovic M.D.
Catherine Huang-Begovic, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling 4 months after a facelift

It is unusual to have substantial swelling and stiffness 4 months after a facelift.  It would be very appropriate to visit the doctor and have them check to be sure all is okay.  Massage and time will be good as long as the doctor checks you out.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Persistent swelling of face following cosmetic plastic surgery

Swelling may persist for up to 6 months after the procedure but by 4 months this should be substantially resolved. There are other causes for the swelling that could be treatable and you should discuss this with the surgeon after presenting for a physical evaluation. 
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling of neck

By four months post-operatively, the facial swelling shoudl have subsided considerably.  She should see her surgeon for follow-up to see if everything is going okay.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling after Face and neck lift

Most of the swelling from a face and neck lift procedure should be gone by 1-4 weeks.  At four months, it is not normal to experience tightness in the neck.  Furthermore, it is not the normal recovery to experience difficulty turning her neck.   Please have your mom visit with her plastic surgeon to evaluate what is going on.   
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Postoperative Swelling after Facelift

It is unusual to have swelling and stiffness of the neck at 4 months.  It is possible that there was a fluid collection that solidified causing prolonged swelling.   The best method to treat this is very aggressive lymphatic massage.   The longer the tissues stay swollen, the harder it is to massage out.   Followup closely with your plastic surgeon, such that they can evaluate and make appropriate recommendations to optimize your recovery and result.  All the best.... more
Paul S. Gill, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift Swelling Should be A Lot Better after 1-4 Weeks

After a facelift and necklit, regardless of technique, most of the swelling should be gone after 1-4 weeks.  Every patient is different, and facelift techniques may also have an effect, but most of the swelling will dissipate so that an average patients should not have excess swelling due to time of day, or position.    If your mother had a facelift and neck lift 4 months ago, she may have a medical problem with excessive fluid retention, lymphedema, or something... more
Roy Kim, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling Can Last for a Few Months After Facelift

Generally, there is still some degree of swelling at 3-4 months after a Facelift. It is usually not the type of swelling which is evident to the general public, but areas of firmness or stiffness that the patient is aware of.
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drprendiville.com

+1

Facial swelling

Usually, swelling after face lifting is maximal after 7-10 days.  Generally, after 3 months all swelling has passed.  If swelling still persists beyond that time, a careful assesment by the plastic surgeon should determine the cause.  If nothing can be found, a short course of steroids may be useful.
H. Michael Roark, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Face lift and neck lift

Face lift and neck lift are rewarding procedures after all the swelling has resolved. Sometimes, the swelling may take a few months to resolve. If you have swelling early during the post-op period, make sure to inform your plastic surgeon. Most of my patients are instructed to massage the area which helps a lot. Please check with your plastic surgeon prior to starting any facial massage. If your swelling does not resolve, follow up with your plastic surgeon.
Stanley Okoro, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

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