apparently my saliva gland was reacting to the surgery and was over working so had to have this drained up until 31st December. Had to go back in to have middle suture removed to ease the paralysis about two weeks post op. I’m now 19 days post op but my face seems to be dropping more and speech getting harder
Answer: Complications After Facelift Of the two issues you describe, the facial paresis is the more concerning. However, when such a facial weakness occurs, spontaneous resolution is the normal outcome. It appears as if the facial paresis was progressive, which is unusual. Close follow up and ocular lubrication are necessary at this point. Your Surgeon may consider anti-virals and oral steroids in the near future.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Complications After Facelift Of the two issues you describe, the facial paresis is the more concerning. However, when such a facial weakness occurs, spontaneous resolution is the normal outcome. It appears as if the facial paresis was progressive, which is unusual. Close follow up and ocular lubrication are necessary at this point. Your Surgeon may consider anti-virals and oral steroids in the near future.
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CONTACT NOW January 15, 2018
Answer: Facelift complications Thank you for the question and the photos. It looks like two separate issues. First, you had a fluid collection. This was most likely from the salivary gland (parotid or submandibular) and seems to be resolving. The second is more serious -- it appears that a branch or two of your facial nerve has been injured. This is why your facial movement is off. Please seek second opinions in your area and look for a surgeon with expertise in facial nerve injury. Best of luck!
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CONTACT NOW January 15, 2018
Answer: Facelift complications Thank you for the question and the photos. It looks like two separate issues. First, you had a fluid collection. This was most likely from the salivary gland (parotid or submandibular) and seems to be resolving. The second is more serious -- it appears that a branch or two of your facial nerve has been injured. This is why your facial movement is off. Please seek second opinions in your area and look for a surgeon with expertise in facial nerve injury. Best of luck!
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January 11, 2018
Answer: Appropriate treatment This outcome is not ideal but the complications which you have experienced fall under possible complications which can occur with any surgeon. Your seroma was drained appropriately and is no longer much of an issue. Your facial nerve has been affected with multiple branches impaired. I don't know how your surgery was performed, but your doctor seems to have taken some action by releasing the internal suture to relieve nerve compression. Follow up with your doctor. It seems as if appropriate action has been taken. It will take time to heal.
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CONTACT NOW January 11, 2018
Answer: Appropriate treatment This outcome is not ideal but the complications which you have experienced fall under possible complications which can occur with any surgeon. Your seroma was drained appropriately and is no longer much of an issue. Your facial nerve has been affected with multiple branches impaired. I don't know how your surgery was performed, but your doctor seems to have taken some action by releasing the internal suture to relieve nerve compression. Follow up with your doctor. It seems as if appropriate action has been taken. It will take time to heal.
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January 11, 2018
Answer: Fluid collection after a facelift Hi there, It seems that you have accumulated fluid under your skin that will need to be drained. If your salivary gland has been the source of the fluid, then eating a bland diet that does not contain any 'sialagogues' will help. Sialogogues are foods or medications that promote salivary production. You can look up diets that are less likely to promote saliva production. Your plastic surgeon should see you regularly to help manage this. For the drooping face and trouble speaking, this is likely related to the nerve function, which comes back with time. This is most certainly a discussion you need to have with your plastic surgeon as soon as you can. I hope this helps. Phillip Dauwe, M.D.
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CONTACT NOW January 11, 2018
Answer: Fluid collection after a facelift Hi there, It seems that you have accumulated fluid under your skin that will need to be drained. If your salivary gland has been the source of the fluid, then eating a bland diet that does not contain any 'sialagogues' will help. Sialogogues are foods or medications that promote salivary production. You can look up diets that are less likely to promote saliva production. Your plastic surgeon should see you regularly to help manage this. For the drooping face and trouble speaking, this is likely related to the nerve function, which comes back with time. This is most certainly a discussion you need to have with your plastic surgeon as soon as you can. I hope this helps. Phillip Dauwe, M.D.
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December 2, 2020
Answer: Post-surgery complications of facelift Thanks for the question and sharing your photos. Based on your photos, it appears that you have a seroma on the left side which is a benign condition with an inflammatory fluid collection, or it could be a sialocele which is a collection of saliva resulting from unintentional surgical manipulation of the submandibular salivary gland. Among the two concerns stated in your question, paresis of the face is the more worrying. The usual course of such loss of sensations is self-limiting, not requiring any specific treatment. I would advise you to consult your plastic surgeon and have a detailed personalized evaluation for your post-surgery concerns.I hope this helps.
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December 2, 2020
Answer: Post-surgery complications of facelift Thanks for the question and sharing your photos. Based on your photos, it appears that you have a seroma on the left side which is a benign condition with an inflammatory fluid collection, or it could be a sialocele which is a collection of saliva resulting from unintentional surgical manipulation of the submandibular salivary gland. Among the two concerns stated in your question, paresis of the face is the more worrying. The usual course of such loss of sensations is self-limiting, not requiring any specific treatment. I would advise you to consult your plastic surgeon and have a detailed personalized evaluation for your post-surgery concerns.I hope this helps.
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