Facelift Q&A

85%

WORTH IT RATING

315 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Facelift Cost: $11,225

Learn about Facelift

1,209 people and 807 doctors are talking about Facelift

Get Free Email Updates

Swelling and Bruising After Facelift

asked 3 years ago by cindymd in Rockville, MD
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 12,371 times
Tags: face, bruising, swelling

It has been 3 weeks since I had facelift as part of removing the cyst on my face. I experienced severe hematoma after the surgery, but it seems that everything is healing as expected. I'm concerned about the bruises, since they still look very dark in some areas. The swelling on my cheek and jaw still a bit noticeable and feel so tense. Should I be alarmed? what can I do to better the situation? Thank you for your answer.

19 answers to Swelling and Bruising After Facelift

It is all normal

The swelling and firmness are normal and can be helped using ultrasound treatments to reduce the swelling. Even for minor bruising it seems to work very well.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Swelling, pain, and bruising normal after Facelift

Hi, Thanks for your question. Pain, bruising, and swelling are typically experienced two to three weeks after surgery. The symptoms should subside after that in most cases. However, every individual heals differently. Since you had a hematoma, this adds more time to the healing process and usually results in a firmer feel to the skin flap. So give it a little more time to heal. If you are still concerned after that, it is always a good idea to pay a visit to your plastic surgeon. We... more

Sam Speron, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Hematoma delays healing after any surgery.

Dear Cindy Three weeks is very early from your surgery. Generally it is true that a this point in time if you did not have a hematoma, you would be looking pretty good. However, the hematoma takes time to resolve. The extra swelling and bruising is going to clear eventually. However, it is likely that this process may take a full additional 2 months to completely dissipate. It is hard to believe but you will heal. Please check back with Realself.com and let us know how you've done.... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Bruising after Face Lift can last a while

Bruising can last a while after a Facelift. Sometimes the breakdown products from the bruise (blood) can take a while to be absorbed. Some patients don't absorb the swelling as quickly as others. Plus, the swelling may be worse on one side of the face, than the other. This may have little to do with the surgery; and more to do with the physiology of the individual. The total healing process can last a long time. Even though the initial issues of healing may lessen in a few weeks, things... more

Phillip Langsdon, MD
Germantown Facial Plastic Surgeon

Bruising and swelling after Facelift

Bruising and swelling can be normal after a facelift and is often asymmetric. Considering you had a hematoma, it may take a little longer to subside. As long as the hematoma has been removed and the skin is healthy, things should heal well. see video

Jacob D. Steiger, MD
Boca Raton Facial Plastic Surgeon

This sounds normal given your complication

After a hematoma, there will be more time needed for the resolution of bruising and there can be swelling on that side that persists beyond the time for healing of the normal side. Time and gentle massage will help.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Asymmetric Bruising and Swelling after Facelift

Given that you had a hematoma after your facelift, having remaining bruising and noticable swelling on the side of your hematoma 3 weeks after your facelift should be expected. Firmness may represent healing tissues and could easily last for 6 to 8 weeks. The most important aspect in your recovery was the removal of your hematoma which, according to your description, has been accomplished.

Frank P. Fechner, MD
Worcester Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drfechner.com

Hematoma After Facelift

Because you experienced a hematoma, you should expect recovery from your facelift to take longer than normal. It will probably take another two months for the bruising and swelling to fully resolve. It is important to have close followup with your surgeon. A hematoma often must be drained to prevent skin compromise or loss with scars or other problems.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Swelling and Bruising Post Facelift

Most patients experience a significant amount of bruising and swelling after the surgery; however, this begins to decrease after one week to ten days and is usually down to a socially acceptable level by three weeks.

Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

How long will swelling and bruising last after a facelift?

Everybody heals at their own unique pace. I tell my patients that swelling and bruising typically subsides significantly over the first couple of weeks. That being said, it can take up to 2 months to resolve and I tell all my patients to give it six months before the final result is ultimately revealed. The fact that you had a hematoma will likely prolong the swelling. I would continue to be patient. The swelling will improve. If you continue to have concerns follow up with your surgeon for... more

Todd C. Miller, MD
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

Bruising after a Facelift

Having prolonged bruising following a significant hematoma after a facelift is not unusual. I assume your hematoma was drained, but much more than the usual amount of blood gets deposited into the fat layer below the skin. This will take longer to resolve and results in the prolonged bruising that you are experiencing. In addition, this extra blood in the tissues creates and inflammatory process that causes more than the usual amount of tightness. A gentle facial massage or lymphatic... more

Braden Stridde, MD
Federal Way Plastic Surgeon

Face Lift, Mini Face Lift, The Palmer Celebrity Face Lift, Beverly Hills Face Lift

Yes, hematomas after a Face Lift can cause quite a bit of bruising and swelling that can last for many months. You should follow the instructions of the plastic and cosmetic surgeon that did your Face Lift as IMHO, it's unethical for a surgeon to give you advice while under the care of another surgeon during the immediate post op period.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Bruising after Facelift

Since you have had a hematoma after surgery it is not uncommon to have some excessive bruising and swelling and this takes some time to resolve. I would not be alarmed at three weeks post surgical phase and would discuss with your surgeon your concerns and hopefully this will provide you with some peace of mind. As far as what you can do for it you may ask your surgeon for suggestions regarding massage, hyperbaric oxygen, warm compresses. Your surgeon should be able to ascess the relative... more

Michael Elam, MD
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hard dark area/hematoma after facelift

I'm having a little difficulty understanding the time course of your surgery, hematoma, hematoma evacuation and how long that has been. But by 3 weeks, most of the bruising should be resolving. My best advice for you would be to see your plastic surgeon. If you have an area that's swollen, tense, and severely bruised - you should definitely be evaluated in person. I'm sure your surgeon would be happy to see you and make sure everything is ok. Dr.... more

Catherine Huang-Begovic, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Prolonged swelling after facelift: what to do with it?

Dear Facelift patient from Maryland, Hematoma after a facelift surgery will cause prolonged swelling and bruising. Resolution of bruising and swelling varies person to person. Warm pad, tissue massage can help you to reduce swelling and discoloration from bruising. Talk to your surgeon and visit him at least once a week to ensure proper healing. Good luck and good healing

Kevin Sadati, DO
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

Swelling and bruising after a facelift

At three weeks the majority of the bruising should have gone away and the swelling improved. If it has not done so, I suggest you speak with your surgeon to be evaluated so that you can be reassured.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Swelling, bruising, and discoloration issues are normal at 3 weeks

It is likely that the hematoma after your procedure has contributed to some of the swelling and discoloration issues. Generally swelling and bruising will take less than three weeks for standard facelift surgery, but with a hematoma then the swelling will last longer. The fact that it is still noticeable and somewhat tense would be not too surprising three weeks after having hematoma formation. Darkness to the skin occurs due to a combination of breakdown of the hemoglobin and metabolism... more

David Q. Santos, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Swelling and Bruising After a Hematoma

If a patient has had a hematoma, a prolonged recovery course can take place along that side. Give your body ample time to heal and dissipate some of the swelling. The use of ultrasound and lymphatic massage can help break up some of the excess material and expedite healing as well. Hopefully, your surgeon will keep close tabs on you during your recovery to help get you healed as soon as possible.

Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

Swelling And Bruising Are Normal

First and foremost, talk with you surgeon. While swelling and bruising can take several weeks to a month or more to fully resolve, if you have any concern it is always best to speak with your surgeon about your concerns.