What Can Be Done to Reduce Swelling and Lumps After Lower Facelift and Platysmaplasty?

Everyone gets some amount of numbness and that is considered normal.  The numbness dissipates over 6 weeks at the earliest though I've seen it take as long as 12 months to completely subside.  Very rarely is this ever a permanent concern.Lumps and bumps after facelift are normal.  They start 2-3 weeks after the surgery and are usually located in front of the ear or just below the angle of the jaw or under the chin.  They can get bigger for 6-8 weeks but they start to dissipate around the time and usually by 12 weeks are much better.  The lumps can usually be felt but rarely are seen.  

Swelling is very common to experience after a facelift.  I believe so strongly in Arnica that I actually went out and purchased a couple of thousand vials of Arnica and I give each patient a bottle at their preop appointment.  But, that being said, swelling is common - -but less common at 9 weeks.  I am not sure if Arnica will be of much help at this point.  I also do not know if ice will help much.  What I would probably do at this point is some very vigorous massage and follow up with your surgeon.  Sometimes massage can be helpful in reducing the amount of edema and/or swelling in tissues.  Best of luck!

Thank you for your question. Every patient is different. It can take 1-2 years for the subtle healing to occur. Massage, ultrasound, low level light therapy, (MLS) can all help. It can be stressful, and difficult to be patient. Communicate your concerns to your surgeon. They want you to have a great result.Best wishes.

They will help, just to reduce the symptoms of bruising and swelling. Best of course is to rest and keep your blood pressure low. However, 9 weeks is enough for the bruising and swelling to go away. Lumps can be the result of fat grafting or stitches. A little massage on them may help them get smoother.  Numbness on the other hand could be temporary or permanent. I advice you taking good supplements of group B vitamin and don't smoke if you do.
Hope this helps,
Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

Swelling and lumpiness after a lower facelift often simply takes time. Gentle massage can be helpful, but the recovery process can sometimes be long and slow. Numbness also contributes to this issue as the numbness makes the patient feel uncomfortable and abnormal, even if the outward appearance is good. For the most part, recovery just takes time for things to settle down completely, but be sure to discuss any postoperative concerns with your surgeon.
All the best,

Swelling, numbness and lumpiness can all be part of the expected post operative recovery after a lower facelift and platysmaplasty.  Arnica is helpful in the first week or to to speed up the resolution of initial bruising and swelling.  After several weeks, residual swelling can be a result of disruption of the blood and lymphatic systems after surgery and should subside with time.  If you notice redness or pain, though, you should see your doctor as there could be an infection.  Numbness is normal and it can take a few weeks to months for the nerve endings to grow back.  This numbness in many cases is a blessing after surgery because it means there is little pain in the initial recovery.  Lumpiness can also be part of the normal expected recovery, gentle massage can help speed the recovery from this.  Some doctors may inject small amounts of steroid solution to speed up the resolution of swelling or lumpiness.