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Neck and Lower Facelift Are Too Tight

asked 1 year ago by la in Watervliet in Watervliet, NY
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 2,964 times
Tags: neck, tightness

I had a lower face and neck lift one week ago and there is a tight band extending across my neck from ear to ear. The tension is at best uncomfortable, often painful, and occasionally actually triggers a gag reflex. Is there anything that can be done to alleviate this tension? I couldn't live this way long term. I had a submental platysmaplasty, and sutures around and behind the ear.

20 answers to Neck and Lower Facelift Are Too Tight

The noose sensation: I'll explain why you feel it and how it should loosen up

Hi La in Watervliet, I agree with the other surgeons and their reassurances. My approach for pre- and post-operative counseling for these cosmetic procedures is to try to explain things in a way that patients can fully understand on their own. This takes some of the fear out and I think gives the patient some feeling of control back. In some cases of pre-operative counseling, fully understanding the procedure and the recovery leads to the potential patient not... more

George Yang, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Swelling and tightness associated with lower facelift surgery

Dear Lower Facelift Patient from New York, Face and neck swelling and tightness one week post operative lower facelift surgery is normal. Swelling and numbness after any facelift surgery is expected and normal. Usually, most of the noticeable swelling is reduced within a couple of weeks, perhaps in some cases a couple of months. Initial icing will help to reduce swelling faster. Good luck and good healing

Kevin Sadati, DO
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.galleryofcosmeticsurgery.com

I feel too tight following my facelift/necklift

For the first one to two weeks, feeling like your face and neck is too tight is normal and expected in most cases. T'he temporary swelling makes this worse and more noticeable but should be expected to progressively go away. Here are some helpful tips: Localized lymphatic massage - your surgeon will demonstrate for you Continued head elevation Low Salt diet No heavy lifting or intense exercise Icing, Arnica or Bromelain will be of benefit early but much help after the... more

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Tightness after Lower Facelift

This abnormal tension that you are feeling is quite normal after lower facelift. During a face/neck lift the underlying neck muscles (platysma) and SMAS are tightened. The face tightening in conjunction with postoperative swelling can give you a constricted feeling. Also, the sensation of tension in the neck due to surgery is a "new feeling" for you which you will grow accustomed to over time. Lastly, over time the neck and face will relax to a degree to... more

Anthony Corrado, DO
Philadelphia Facial Plastic Surgeon

Neck tightness after a facelift is normal

Tightness across the neck is completely normal after a lower facelift. While your early neck tightness does seem more severe than most patients, this degree of tightness will not persist. Skin relaxation will occur particularly after the first few weeks. This may be uncomfortable right now but as each week passes, it will lessen. In the long run, this early nuisance will make for a better and more sustained result.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

Tightness after Facelift

The submental platysmaplasty was probably done too tight....I would suggest having your surgeon loosen or undo it.

Richard Galitz, MD
Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.aventuraplasticsurgery.com

Tightness after lower facelift

The tightness and tension you feel are a normal part of the healing process and indicate that the surgeon has performed an adequate operation. I know that it is uncomfortable but the tightness should abate as you continue to heal so be patient and let the healing take its course. Given that there are some complications noted by others on the forum which could occur, you should remain in close touch with your plastic surgeon during the initial postoperative period.

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

This is not normal.

There are various procedures to support the neck contour. Some surgeons use suture material for this purpose. Essentially what you are describing is physical choke do to the tightness of this supporting surgery. It is inappropriate to leave a neck this tight and absolutely no reason to do so. I would immediately ask your surgeon to loosen this material. Early from surgery this can be done in the office. The surgeon should handle as a immediate... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Feeling of tightness in the neck is common after facelift/ necklift

Feeling of tightness in the neck is common after facelift/ necklift. This can at times be uncomfortable but realize that this will pass. The sutures dissolve and the tissues relax to some degree. This is the reason why the lift has to "tuck" your tissues as tightly as they are immediately after surgery. Time will result in lessening of this sensation and a tighter neckline. Stephen Weber, M.D., Ph.D., Facial Plastic Surgeon

Stephen Weber, MD
Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon

Tightness after facelift

Recovery from most procedures requires patience and understanding that the body needs to heal. It is very normal to have a sense of tightness just after surgery; it should definitely resolve . Stay in close touch with your physician who will help you through the recovery period.

Josh Korman, MD
Monterey Plastic Surgeon

Tightness After Facelift

The sense of tightness felt at 1 week after a Facelift is entirely normal and will diminish in the weeks and months to come. I would be more concerned if your neck didn't feel tight at this time.

Stephen Prendiville, MD
Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

Lower Facelift Recovery

You should anticipate swelling for at least another three weeks. Over time things will begin to loosen however if you do not feel significant relief after 12 weeks, I would consult with your original surgeon. best wishes!

Michael Sullivan, MD
Columbus Facial Plastic Surgeon

Is neck tightness after neck and lower facelift normal?

As mentioned by others, the initial tightness, particularly in the first week or two, eases up considerably over time. Tightness from a submental platysma-plasty usually is felt in the area just beneath the chin and not as a band from ear to ear, unless sutures were placed from ear to ear. ( the Gianpappa Technique) which if made excessively tight, would feel like a garotte. I have found over the years that the more aggressive we became with the platysma, particularly when banding was... more

William F. DeLuca Jr, MD
Albany Plastic Surgeon

Neck tightness

I would go see your board - certified plastic surgeon to make sure that you don't have a hematoma in your neck. That being said, you are likely experiencing swelling related to the surgery which should improve in the next week or two.

Samer W. Cabbabe, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

Too tight facelift?

The feeling in your neck should get better but it may relate to the platysmaplasty. You should contact your doctor if you are concerned.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Face and neck lift

The whole idea of a face lift is to tighten the underling structures, under the skin.This will give a feeling of being tight, a normal feeling, but should look natural. Tis feeling will resolve with time. If the neck was tightened with a suture extending from ear to ear looped in the center(Gianpapa) suture, it can be too tight, it may act as a tight string. If that is the case and it does not get better, I may get back and cut it at the center (Seen this once) so it is rare to... more

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Tightness after lower facelift will absolutely go away!

I agree with my colleagues who tell you with absolute certainty that this will get better. Your swelling reaches its peak at 3-5 days after surgery, and is worse and lasts longer if you do not sleep with your head elevated above heart level for 2-3 weeks after surgery. You may also be asked to use an elastic shin strap or facial band which helps the tissues to heal properly and smoothly. This only adds to your tight sensation. Things should already be getting better, but your tissues... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Neck tightness after neck lift.

This is normal and will go away in several weeks. If it didn't feel tight to you there would have been too little removed.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Tightness after facelift

It is normal to feel tight in the neck and this will realax after a few weeks of recovery. If you didn't feel some tightness right now, you probably wouldn't have had enough done and in 3 months you would feel more laxity than you had been hoping for.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tightness After Necklift Will Improve

Don't worry, things will get better! The tightness after a neck lift is due to the tightening of the skin and muscle layers and is made even tighter by the usual post-operative swelling. As the swelling gets better over the next week, the skin and muscles will begin to loosen up and things will not feel so tight. If it feels tight now, it will be perfect when healed. Be sure to discuss your concerns with your doctor.