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Should I Worry SMAS Facelift (Short-scar) Had to Be Reopened During Surgery? (photo)

asked 7 months ago by anon
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 245 times
Tags: 6 weeks post-op, indentation, lumps, open, worried

After being closed, my cheeks started bleeding (while I was having my eyes done) and both were reopened and suctioned. That was six weeks ago, and I'm experiencing increasing lumpiness (mostly small bumps under the skin)and have had slight indentations on each cheek since the surgery that have not gone away. Does this sound typical or more like aggravations from the reopening; in other words, should I be worried?

8 answers to Should I Worry SMAS Facelift (Short-scar) Had to Be Reopened During Surgery? (photo)

+1

Significant Hematoma after face lift should be addresses ASAP

Still too early to tell. Your surgeon did the right thing by reopening your incisions and removing any blood clots (hematoma). In this case 6 wks is a bit too early to determine final results. There many be traces of blood that still have to resolve naturally, and more swelling on that side. If there is no improvement after 3-6 months, then it is worthwhile discussing with your plastic surgeon what he feels will be the result.
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Hematomas after SMAS Facelift

Whenever you have bleeding after a case is closed you must open the area back up suction the clots out and find the source of the bleeding and then cauterize those blood vessels. You then go back to suturing and closing the facelift Incisions. So most importantly was that your surgeon did go back in and stop the bleeding. Secondly the lumps you are seeing may just be inflammatory areas that should dissipate over time. I would go in and see your surgeon and discuss your questions and... more
Michael Elam, MD

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lumps after bleeding in surgery

Although the majority of the blood that accumulated during the bleeding episode was cleaned out, there will be some inflammatory response in the body while it tries to digest the small amounts still there. With time and massage, that should all get better, but the skin might look a little lumpy for a while
Julio Garcia, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Should I Worry SMAS Facelift (Short-scar) Had to Be Reopened During Surgery?

It was certainly imperative for your surgeon to reopen your incisions if you had excess bleeding. A facelift requires lots of elevating of the skin and bleeding can occur. Facelifts without bleeding can be a little lumpy for several months because of the deep sutures and movement of tissues under the skin. I would wait several months before worrying, but why not visit your plastic surgeon for his opinion? I would expect this lumpiness will resolve with more time. As a matter of interest,... more
E. Ronald Finger, MD

Savannah Plastic Surgeon
+1

Short Scar Facelift

It sounds like your surgeon did the right thing. Nobody wants to take a patient back to the OR but due to vomiting or high blood pressure in the immediate postoperative period, a hematoma can form and it is imperative that it be evacuated. The lumpiness is normal especially in facelifts that utilize a cranial suspensiion suture. This usually resolves. The reality is there is nothing to do for it now. I would suggest waiting 6 months and then revisiting the problem if there is no... more
Jacob Freiman, MD

Miami Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift healing process

Good question. it is definitely possible to still have swelling and some contour irregularity 6 weeks after a facelift. If you had a hematoma during the case that required re-opening and evacuation it is possible that this may cause a delay in the healing process. That being said, I would not anticipate that this would compromise your long term outcome. You pictures look great and I would expect that these irregularities will resolve with time.
Todd C. Miller, MD

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Edema after surgery

Thank you for your question. What you are experiencing sounds like typical postoperative swelling. In general, 6wks is very early in the wound healing process. These "lumps" can happen even when the incisions are not reopened. The space below the skin is very limited, so any swelling or fluid deposits will be noticeable externally either by sight or feel. These lumps will typically resolve over the first 8-12 weeks postoperatively. Best of luck and please... more
John Renucci, MD

Grand Rapids Plastic Surgeon
+1

Healing after a facelift

I would wait for about 4-6 months to make any final judgements on the results of your facelift. However, if you have any concerns in the meantime, make sure you go back to your plastic surgeon. see video
Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

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