Is The Tight Feeling in my Neck and Sides of Face from Scar Tissue Following my Face and Neck Lift?

It's been 12 months since my initial lift, but my board certified plastic surgeon revised the poor jowl and neck result by doing a corset platysmaplasty 8 months ago. My neck, jaw line, and sides of face are still extremely tight feeling; but, the skin does not look stretched and the incision sites have healed well. If the tightness (it is very uncomfortable) is from scar tissue formation, what can I do to step up the healing process? or is scar tissue permanent? My doc is too busy to see me.

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by NHaven in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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Doctor too busy to see you

There is no reason why your plastic surgeon is too busy to see you. Followup care is just as important as the procedure itself and, regardless of whether you would feel comfortable with him as an operating surgeon going forward, he performed the operation and is in the best position to explain the reason for the tightness. Certainly, the discomfort could improve with time but you should be seen in consultation to rule out other possible etiologies for your symptoms. I am... more

It is inappropriate that your surgeon is too busy to see you.

I don't think I would accept that. Sometime office staff say stupid things. Perhaps you are not being forceful enough with them. Try the following approaches: "I am very concerned and I demand to have a follow-up appointment with my surgeon." Perhaps the more threatening approach will work: "If you do not give me an appointment with my surgeon I will be transferring my care and good will to someone who can see me." Perhaps the... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

8 reviews

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Tight Feeling after Face and Neck Lift

Given that you had two face and neck surgeries over the course of 1 year, it is certainly possible (and within the greater range of normal) to sense changes due to the surgeries. Neck pulling or tightness are absolutely normal after corset platysmaplasty - especially if done correctly. I would give it the remaining 4 months of further healing before accepting things as permanent. But you should definitely follow up with your board certified plastic surgeon. We are all busy but we... more

It is not unusual to have a tight feeling in the neck and cheeks following a

Facelift, and both should resolve with time. Since you had two procedures performed within a six month period, it may take longer for the feelings to resolve. Treatment options could include external ultrasound and massage, physical therapy, and a course of anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuproffen. Most important, however, is to re-establish a connection with your surgeon. Anyone who had the time to operate on you should have the time to see you after... more

Tightness after facelift

The tight feeling you have is pretty normal. I recommend massage which will help loosen things up. This far after surgery you could have a massage therapist help if you wanted.

Tight after facelift

It sounds as if you had two procedures within 4 months, with the second one adding additional tightening to the first. In that context if your skin is not stretched or tight I would say it is just going to take time. It's better t be tighter longer in the deep tissues over the long term even if it is a little uncomfortable now. I would recommend asking to speak to the office manager about scheduling an appointment just to be certain your requests are getting through to the doctor. If... more

Michael L. Schwartz, MD

3 reviews

Fort Lauderdale Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.palmbeachface.com

Tight neck feeling

Some degree of tightness is normal and in most case, time will help. Having said that , doing some range of motion exercises on the neck, and possibly some ultrasound therapy, like the one done in a physical therapy clinic should help. There are anecdotal reports of topical DMSO helping, it is an off label use, and can give you a garlic taste in your mouth.

Doctor too busy to see you after facelift

You say that your doctor has a good reputation and is board certified, yet too busy to see you after your facelift revision. There is a big red flag here and others should beware. No surgeon should be too busy to care for patients who placed their trust in him. You may have to look for help in another office, and your records will help the next doctor pick up where he left off. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Facelift, SMAS lift, postoperative tighness following facelift.

It would appear that your skin and incisions are well healing as you have observed. One area to consider might be the internal sutures that may have been placed in the SMAS layer and the platysma muscles below the skin. These may be either dissolving or permanent sutures, and it is a shame that you don't feel comfortable calling the surgeon of record about this..Given some more time I would believe the facelift will feel softer and less tight for you. Antiinflammatory... more

Is The Tight Feeling in my Neck and Sides of Face from Scar Tissue Following my Face and Neck Lift?

From your description I can not tell if you are happy with the appearance but do not like the tight feeling or is the result poor also. If you look great than this tight feeling will resolve over the next few months. You can obtain external ultrasound therapies to help. Regards

Is The Tight Feeling in my Neck and Sides of Face from Scar Tissue Following my Face and Neck Lift?

Your plastic and cosmetic surgeon shouldn't be too busy to see you and this is the right person to ask this question. From the history it sounds like you didn't think things were tight enough after your first Face Lift, so your surgeon went back in and tightened things up further. This is most likely the source of the tight sensation but none of us here really know what was doen during yoru face lift and as such couldn't tell you for certain. Only your Face Lift... more