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Swelling in Front of Left Ear/earlobe 9 Weeks After SMAS Facelift

asked 1 year ago by Columbus4384 in Columbus, OH
Latest answer by Kimberly Lee, MD
Question viewed 894 times
Tags: earlobe, female, swelling

My swelling was much worse on left side after surgery to begin with and then I developed an infection in left ear incisions and had to take course of Cipro. The skin in front of my left ear is still more swollen and numb and numb than the right but not enough for anyone else to notice. What is visible is how swollen my left earlobe is. My right earlobe looks completely normal. Could the facelift also have made my left earlobe swell and will it resolve in time?

9 answers to Swelling in Front of Left Ear/earlobe 9 Weeks After SMAS Facelift

+2

Ear lobe swelling after facelift surgery

Hi Columbus4384- Swelling is often different between the two sides after a face lift, especially if you had an infection on one side. The ear lobe swelling will go down with time, but may take several months. Be sure to check with your surgeon if you have any questions. Sincerely, Tom Kaniff
Thomas E. Kaniff, MD

Sacramento Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Earlobe swelling will resolve

It appears that due to the facelift and resulting infection, your earlobe swelled. This swelling is most likely due to disruption of the lymphatic drainage from the earlobe. Over the next month or so, the swelling should resolve spontaneously. As long as you don't have any more signs of infection, just let the healing process take over. I would typically tell my patients to gently massage the earlobe in an attempt to get rid of the swelling faster. Andrew C. Campbell, M.D... more
Andrew Campbell, MD

Milwaukee Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift

It sounds like the infection you had caused the swelling of your earlobe. It should resolve with time assuming the infection has been taken care of. I would recommend close follow up with your surgeon.
Kimberly Lee, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Swelling after a facelift is normal

Yes, the swelling should resolve after your facelift.  However, it may take 6-8 months for all of the swelling to completely resolve.
Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Be a "patient" patient

Your signs and symptoms are not at all unusual even 2 months post op facelift.  Swellingo of the ear can take a few months to resolove fully  (remember, there is an incision around almost the entire ear!),   especially if one side was particularly swollen early post op.  Also an infection or suture irritation can result in prolonged or recurrent swelling.  Be sure to follow up with your surgeon.  Ultimately it will all resolve and if there... more
David J. Levens, MD

Coral Springs Plastic Surgeon
+1

Earlobe swelling

After facelift surgery it is fairly common to have facial swelling.  If you had an infection, it can persist on one side of the face more than the other.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Earlobe more swollen on left side after face lift and infection

Given your infection on the left, I think that the earlobe swelling can be expected to be prolonged more ton that side. In most instances, this should return to normal.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Massage swollen earlobe after facelift

What you describe is normal and does get better. Ask your surgeon if it is OK to massage the swollen earlobe to help promote the swelling to resolve. (Rub the earlobe with your thumb and index finger for 5 minutes 5 to 6 times per a day.)
Karol A. Gutowski, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Earlobe swelling after facelift

Ear and earlobe assymetry can occasionally occur after facelift surgery.   Most of this will settle as the swelling resolves and tissues relax.    if necessary, an office procedure can be done at 4-6 months to achieve better symmetry.
Paul S. Gill, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

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