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Neck Swelling After Exercise - Will This Ruin my Facelift Results?

I am 59 years old and am 11 weeks post-op after having a lower facelift, forehead lift, and upper & lower eyelid surgery. Around 8 weeks post-op, I began vigorous exercise again with my doctor's approval. However, my neck swells under my chin after exercise, and the swelling lasts a long time(often until the next day). Is this normal? Also, will having my neck swell and decrease in size repeatedly compromise the results of my lower facelift? Should I slow down my exercise?

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15 Doctor Answers | Asked by Ready123 in Atlanta, GA

Doctor Answers (15)
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Exercise aft er a face lift. When? How much? How Rigorous?

I am very liberal regardina facelift and exercise. I ask patients to walk but don't run for the first two weeks. No gym for two weeks. No straining for two weeks. Just gentle progressive normal walking. At two weeks I have allowed patients to go for it. I tell them it may hurt to do it but THEY CANNOT AND WILL NOT HURT THEMSELVES WITH RIGOROUS EXERCISE. I tell patients to let comfort be their guide after two weeks. I feel... more

Facelift Swelling

Transient swelling at 11-12 weeks with vigorous exercise in not uncommon. We incorporate low power ultrasonic massage in the post operative period to help minimize and speed up the resolution of the swelling. I do not feel it will compromise your results. If swelling persists however, call your surgeon. Good Luck!

Face and neck post surgical swelling after exercise

No it will not ruin your facelift and other facial surgery but will simply slow down the time for your final result. Here is what I have found to help n many cases: If it is just upper neck consider wearing an elastic chin strap after exercise at night Localized lymphatic massage - your surgeon can demonstrate for you Continued head elevation Low Salt diet No heavy lifting or intense exercise - rather focus on toning, low wt, high repetitions Good luck more

Excercise Afte A Facelift

Hi Ready123- After face lift surgery vigorous activity can resume after about 6 weeks. There will be some additional swelling as the activity level increases, but this should have not long term consequences. You should listen to your body. If your swelling is lasting into the the next day, perhaps you should back off a bit and check with your surgeon. Sincerely, Tom Kaniff

Swelling After Exercise 8 Weeks After Facelift

At 8 weeks postop, there are aspects of healing that a patient is aware of, but that others do not. Some degree of swelling after exercise is not unusual and probably relates to lymphatic swelling. This will resolve itself in the next few weeks to months; the swelling will not compromise your result.

Exercise associated swelling post face lift

Dear Facelift Patient from Atlanta, Slight swelling associated with vigorous exercise, eight weeks post facelift, is normal. It will not compromise the long term results. Good luck and good healing…..Dr. Sadati

Swelling in the face

Swelling even a few months after a facelift can happen especially after exercise. This usually gets better with time and may occur with exercise for several more months.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Swelling From Exercise Post Face Lift

Swelling after a facelift is normal, especially only 11 weeks post op and after exercise; this will subside over time. In the meantime, if you want to reduce swelling you may need to cut back on your intensity and allow your face to heal more. Swelling shouldn’t interfere with your results but it is always best to write down every question so when you have your post ops you have them ready to discuss with your surgeon. “Dr. D”

Neck lift swelling after exercise at 11 weeks post op

This is not uncommon after 11 weeks. At this point you likely have around 65- 75% 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. Based on these percentages I would also use these numbers to gauge my exercise. At 11 weeks I would do about 60-70% of my effort in workouts. I would slow... more

Philip Young, MD

6 reviews

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Exercising after facelift surgery

It is fairly normal to experience swelling after you workout following a facelift surgery. You might want to consider slowing down your workout routine and allow your face to heal more. I would also recommend consulting your surgeon and letting him know about the swelling post-workout so he can make sure everything is ok.

Babak Azizzadeh, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facialplastics.info

Swelling after exercising eigth weeks post facelift surgery

The swelling is common with exercise after facelift surgery. I would slow down on your regimen for the time being and give yourself some more time. You may want to wear a chin strap when you get home after exercising and see if this helps. Watch your salt intake and drink plenty of fluids. I would discuss any further concerns with your surgeon. However I think you can rest assured this will not affect your over all result. Best regards!

Michael Elam, MD

83 reviews

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

michaelelammd.com

Neck Swelling with Exercise Months after Facelift Surgery

Hi Ready123 in Atlanta, GA, As other face lift surgeons stated, swelling from exercise at 8 weeks may not compromise your face lift results. The neck area may have decreased lymphatic drainage after plastic surgery, which promotes fluid accumulation and edema. This swelling with exercise is more common under the chin or upper neck due to gravity. To help reduce neck swelling, you may consider decreasing salt intake, applying ice, light compression with wrap, or gentle massage.... more

Swelling with exercise following facelift 8 weeks ago

Swelling after exercise that was done 8 weeks ago is entirely normal and will resolve with time. Increased blood flow to the tissues caused by exercise and decreased lymphatic drainage caused by surgery is the reason this happens. It usually happens under the chin, the submental area, because of gravity and the large number of lymphatics in that area. Intermittent swelling with exercise, increased salt intake, or hormonal changes can go on for even up to 3 months... more