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Lumpy Neck, Visible Swelling in Cheeks After Facelift- Is It Permanent?
asked 4 months ago by swollen_and_bruised
Latest answer by Julio Garcia, MD
Question viewed 286 times
Tags: 1 month post-op, lumps, options, permanent, swelling
It's been 4.5 weeks since my facelift. My neck is lumpy and a rather large scar is visiable. If people look staright at me, they cannot see since it's under the chin but if I turn my head they can see it. My lower left cheek has a VISIBLE walnut size swelling. And my left cheek has a once-inch veritical visible "thingy" (looks like a smooth rope under the skin). I'm seeing my plastic surgeon in a few days but will these go away or I am stuck with them forever?????
15 answers to Lumpy Neck, Visible Swelling in Cheeks After Facelift- Is It Permanent?
+1
Lumpy Neck, Visible Swelling in Cheeks After Facelift- Is It Permanent
It sounds like there was a large amount of swelling and possibly bleeding during your procedure. That can cause what you are seeing and in time should get better. There might be some shots like kenalog that might help in some cases too.
+1
4.5 Weeks After a Facelift
It is far, far too early to make a judgment on your final result. You can expect some degree of incisional redness, in addition to areas of swelling which are most likely related to lymphatic edema. Gentle finger tip massage, and more importantly.... time are likely to help.
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Swelling After Facelift
Hello,
One month after facelift surgery seems like a long time. However, it is not until six to twelve months after surgery before all of the swelling is gone and the scars have matured in appearance.
It is common to have concerns similar to yours after this type of surgery. With time and massage, many of the firm areas soften and incisional scars fade away. I would not become preoccupied with thoughts of a revision only a month after surgery...
more
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4.5 weeks post-op
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
+1
Early face lift results.
Rarely patients develop a small collection of blood that forms a clot. One has to wait for that to become liquid so that it can be aspirated. The walnut size lump could be one of these collections which could be aspirated with a needle in the office. See if your surgeon can help you with that. If the blood clot is not aspirated it will turn into scar tissue but with time and massage it should go away.
Farhad Rafizadeh, MD
Morristown Plastic Surgeon
Morristown Plastic Surgeon
+1
Lumps after facelift
I don't think the things you are describing will be permanent. Your surgeon will be able to help you the most since he/she knows what was done. Hang in there.
+1
4.5 weeks is too early after a face lift to see final results
4.5 weeks is still an early result. There may be small pockets of fluid that will resolve with time and massage. Please have a frank discussion with your surgeon.
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4.5 weeks is an early result!
At I month you likely have some small resolving collections of blood called hematomas. The lump under your jaw could be your submandibular gland. Sometimes deferring the neck aggressively will unmask these normal structures. Your surgeon may do some injections of dilute kenalog to help with some of these issues. You should be showed how to do some manual massaging to perform several times per day. Good luck
+1
Lumps and swelling 5 weeks after facelift.
As my colleagues have answered, 4 1/2 weeks to 5 weeks after surgery is still fairly early in the overall healing process, which will take 6 months or longer to reach its full completion and your "final" result. (I put final in quotes because, of course, you will still be aging and no result is truly "final").
Your walnut-sized swelling could be a collection of blood or serum that has (mostly) reabsorbed, leaving a lump of subcutaneous scar fibrosis. This usually...
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A facelift covers a lot of territory.
It is common for there to be small issues with facelifts. Some clearly need a small nip and tuck in the office. Some quietly resolve with tincture of time. I strongly recommend that you see your surgeon and discuss your concerns. Many little things can easily be handled and I think you will find your surgeon motivated to address your concerns.
+1
No worries
Facelift surgery always have some irregularities underneath the skin. These usually always resolve in a few months. However, a scar location will not change but will mature and become less visible. Also, swelling is present which make everything look amplified.
see video
+1
Don't worry
4.5 months is too early to make any permanent conclusions. It is not uncommon to have the irregularities you are describing. This is usually caused from swelling under the skin, which should resolve in the next couple of months. Warm compresses and gentle pressure with your fingers can help soften the areas mechanically and speed of the normal break down process of the swelling.
John Alexander II, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1
Cheek Swelling & Lumps in Neck 4.5 Weeks after Facelift
Some swelling and contour irregularity 4.5 weeks after a facelift can be normal, but it is impossible to determine the severity of your problem after reading your description. Your surgeon will evaluate you and recommend appropriate treatment if necessary. Whether or not anything needs to be done at this time or in the future, you're not stuck with this forever.
+1
Lumpy Neck, Visible Swelling in Cheeks After Facelift- Is It Permanent?
Hi,
Most of what your describing sounds like normal healing after a facelift, especially at 4 to 5 weeks.. Pictures would be helpful, but I would just talk to you surgeon about it and not worry unless it persists for more than 3 months.
Best,
Dr.S.
+1
Lumpy neck
Pictures would be helpful, but the things you are describing sound in line with the expected recovery for someone that underwent a facelift 4.5 wks ago, assuming you did not have any complications post procedure i.e. hematoma.
It may take several more weeks for things to settle, but they usually do on their own.
Best of luck
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