Swelling and Red Lines After Multiple Procedures Doctor Answers, Tips
Facelift: Q&A
Ask a Question

Swelling and Red Lines After Multiple Procedures

I had Facelift,Cheek Lift, Lip Lift, Blepharoplasty, and Rhinoplasty 5 months ago. Have normal numbness around ears and jawbone. Happy with results except right salivary gland very swollen and slight red line along jawbone. Very visible from right side profile, left gland not swollen. Doctor said nothing to do but remove it and he didn't recommend it. Said visible because he pulled platysma muscle back. Said it was like this before, but I know my body pretty well and it wasn't. Just in case it's relevant, nose runs all the time since surgery. Using cortisone on incisions, fluticasone propionate for nose. Any recommendations?

Read my review "Swollen Gland and Numbness Around Gland After Facelift"

Tags:
eyelids lips nose redness swelling
Comment on this
9 Doctor Answers | Asked by Young at Heart in SoCal in Fullerton, CA
+1

Botox may work for swollen gland

The mechanism of action of Botox, blocking the release of the same neurotransmitter that stimulates gland secretion, can make Botox (or now Dysport) an option for treating swollen parotid glands. You should ask your doctor to consider this treatment if the swelling persists.
+1

Gland removal is not recommended

The swelling in the neck is from the submaxillary gland and is a very difficult problem to address if it is at the time of a facelift. By removing the gland, this can make the mouth dry, which can lead to cavities, and so it is not recommended to do so. There is also inflammation, infections in that gland, and tumors that can cause it to enlarge, and these have to be addressed by your physician.
+1

You need to see a facelft specialist.

 The swelling needs to be investigated now. Get another opinion from a facelift specialist. You need to know if you have an infection, a saliva fistula, etc. 

You might also like...

Real Stories

FFS? There Are Better Choices - Manchester, GB

I had surgery with Brian Musgrove for the purpose ofFacial Feminisation. I am not very...

View 557 related stories

Before + After Photos

Facelift Facelift
View 2558 Facelift photos
+1

Post Operative Healing

Dear Young at Heart, You have multiple symptoms which are a little long after your procedures.  Return to your Doctor for a follow up exam and possible investigations. With Warm Regards, Trevor M Born MD
+1

Prominent Salivary gland after Rhytidectomy

Submandibular glands that were not or barely visible before surgery may become more visible after the skin is tightened. Some surgeons advise removal of the gland or partial reduction but this can add additional complexity and risk to the procedure Think about a baseball under your bed sheets. If they are loose and messy, you may miss the lump but if you suddenly pull the sheets taut, you may be more aware of the baseball lying under the sheets. The red line puzzles me. It could be a... more
+1

A swollen, red salivary gland could be infected

Dear Young at Heart, Is the gland painful? Does it hurt or get larger when you eat food? Is there a foul taste from under your tongue? How long after the surgery did you notice this? The redness, and asymmetry could mean infection that would clear with a course of appropriate antibiotics. Runny nose after rhinoplasty is common. I've found that topical antihistamine sprays (Patanase) works better than steroid sprays like fluticasone. I hope this is helpful, and best of luck to you.... more
+1

You need another opinion with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Hi You definitely need another opinion. 1) The swelling under your right jawline is much too big to just be a more noticeable salivary gland after a facelift. 2) A continually runny nose after a rhinoplasty can be a serious symptom. In Manhattan, I would investigate these two problems promptly. See link below for a name near you.
+1

Second opinion

Your surgeon could very well be correct. It could be a prolapsed gland that becomes more evident as the loose tissue surrounding is tightened. I am not sure I understand about the red line. In any case, it sounds as if your surgeon is reputable and did a good job with all of your procedures. If you are unsure, you can always seek a second opinion or even ask your surgeon for a second opinion referral to confirm or refute his diagnosis. Remember that cosmetic surgery can be a big... more
+1

Salivary Gland Swelling after Facelift

There are 2 pairs of salivary glands that could be involved with a facelift: parotid gland (in front of ear and around earlobe) and submandibular gland (below jawbone within neck). Most likely, you are referring to the submandibular gland. It is true that this gland can become more noticable after a face and neck lift after the camouflage of excess skin and loose muscle has been removed. The gland can be asymmetrical - I would study your before photos to search if this was there before.... more
Doctors will not see your comments on their answers. If you'd like to follow up, please go here to ask another question.

Comments (0)

Ask a Question

Welcome Back

Sign in with Facebook

Your information remains private and will not be posted without your permission.

Forgot your password?

Don't have an account? Create one now.

Join RealSelf

Join with Facebook

Your information remains private and will not be posted without your permission.

Please enter a valid email address
 Did you mean ?

By creating an account, you are indicating that you have read and accept the RealSelf Terms of Use.

Already a member? Sign In.

Retrieve your password

Enter your username or email address and we will send you a link to login.

Check your email

Check your email. We've sent you a link to reset your password.

Ok