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SMAS Facelift "Pull" on One Cheek

asked 11 months ago by beachandsand in Palm Springs, CA
Latest answer by Julio Garcia, MD
Question viewed 314 times
Tags: 3 weeks post-op, blood clot, normal, pulled

Hello, I had a SMAS facelift 3 weeks ago. Immediately after surgery the right side of my face was very swollen and almost twice the size of the left side. Now the major swelling has gone, but I see a deep "pull" along with lumps going vertically from my cheekbone down to my neck on the right side and it feels very tight. My left cheek seems to be fine, the tightness almost has gone. My doctor says that there may be a blood clot under the muscle on the right side and eventually it will even out.

10 answers to SMAS Facelift "Pull" on One Cheek

+2

SMAS Facelift

I agree with your surgeon, this will most likely resolve with time. Try to be careful that you don't sleep on that side of your face, that can further exacerbate your swelling. Wearing your compressive facelift garment at night may help as well. You are still early in your postoperative course so I'm sure "tincture of time" will be your best medicine.
Jenifer L. Henderson, MD

Silverdale Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facelift

You need to have close follow up with your surgeon. If you have a hematoma, it needs to be addressed so that it does not affect your longterm results.
Kimberly Lee, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Swollenface after face lift

You have and are suffering the efffects of a hematoma. Idrain these and repair the bleeder asap. Most hematomas resolve but you may have some uneveness on that side. Follow up closely for the next step.
David A. Bray, Sr., MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Possible hematoma after SMAS Face Lift

I have performed Face Lifts for over 20 years and from what you describe and the photos, you may have had a hematoma on the right side of your face after the Face Lift. Typically, when this occurs, part of the incision is opened and the blood clot(s) are removed. Unfortuneately, hematomas do stretch the tightened SMAS and skin, take longer to heal and wind up making the affected side more loose than the opposite side of the face. You should discuss this with your Face... more
Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

"Pull" on one Cheek after SMAS Facelift

On the basis of your history and the pictures submitted this swelling and pulling is probably secondary to a post-op hematoma. Follow your surgeon's instructions. This will resolve; ultrasound may accelerate the healing process.
Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Smas facelift "pull".

Smas facelift "pull" can be caused by many things. If it is not improving in4-6 weeks, I would ask your surgeon about what to do or get a second opinion. In the meantime use ultrasound to make this go away faster.
Toby Mayer, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Face Lift

From your description, it apperas that you may have a hematoma. These are unfortunate but can happen to all of us. Most hematomas do finally resolve with time. Warm compressors and massage may be helpful.
Siamak Agha, MD, PhD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+2

Face lift

It seems that you had a hematoma after your face lift. When heamtomas are RECOGNIZED, some times it is difficult to recognize, the best approach is to explore, clean and close with a drain. Now you have the effects of a hematoma. It is difficult to predict the final outcome. only time will tell. So you need to be patient and wait a long time, then deal with the situation as it arises.
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Uneven swelling

It sounds like you had a hematoma on the affected side and that will cause a large amount of induration to the tissue, especially when not drained. In time, the body does soften the tissues up, but blood is quit irritating to the skin and tissues. I might suggest some ultrasound external massages to help the tissue soften and smooth out some.
Julio Garcia, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Post-operative facelift swelling

It's likely that you had a hematoma following surgery. Most surgeons will drain these expeditiously. If the hematoma is not drained it can take a while for it to resorb. Sometimes a few months. Ultimately, this can lead to contour irregularities in the short term but these will usually resolve, it just takes a bit longer. By this point I'm not sure that opening the incision and trying to drain it would be beneficial as it sounds like it has been three weeks since it happened. Keep in... more
Todd C. Miller, MD

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

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