What are potential face lift side effects?

Face lift side effects will depend on the type of facelift that is performed. Face lifts exist on a continuum from the mini-facelift which can be performed rather quickly and with minimal morbidity to more extensive face lifts for more extensive aging changes. Though the risks are generally the same with any face lift, the degree of the risk varies with the more invasive the face lift.

• Infection - anytime that the skin is broken and surgery is undertaken infection is a risk. Infections risk in the face is generally minimal and most surgeons will place their patients on antibiotics for a time around surgery to help prevent this complication.
• Bleeding - there will be bleeding with any face lift procedure but generally is not severe enough to warrant blood transfusions or other such interventions. There is a bleeding risk anywhere from the day of surgery to several days after. At times, if bleeding occurs after surgery, the wound will have to be reexplored and the bleeding stopped. At other times, a bruise may form which may prolong healing but generally does not change the overall cosmetic result.
• Scar - anytime that the skin is broken, a scar is created. By making the incisions in areas which hide them, face lift scars generally will heal without being able to be seen.
• Redness of the incision lines - while healing, the inicison lines can be red for a time period. Generally, this can be hidden after the initial week or two of recovery.
• Facial nerve injury - depending on the extent of the facelift, injury to the facial nerve can occur up to 1-2% of the time. The facial nerve is the nerve that provides motion for the face. Should injury occur, a temporary or possibly permanent asymmetry to the smile and facial expressions may occur.
• Numbness - numbness can be expected in the areas operated on and the ear. This numbness is generally temporary, though it can be permanent.
• Change in ear position - changes in the position of the earlobe and tragus have been reported after face lift surgery.
• Nausea and vomitting - these can occur for the first day or two after surgery depending on the type of anesthesia administered.
• Pain - pain does occur but is generally minimal. Most surgeons will prescribe narcotic pain medicine for several days after surgery. Most patients though describe the pain to be minimal to moderate after 1-2 days.
• Hair loss - hair loss in the incision lines can occur. This is generally temporary but can be permanent.

As always consultation with an experienced surgeon is necessary as there are variations in the risks with each procedure and with each patient.

Potential side effects from a face-lift can be related to the anesthesia, such as nausea and vomiting in the first 24 hours after the surgery.

Other complications include:

• Hematoma or puddling of blood beneath the skin in the neck
• Motor and sensory nerve loss
• Infection
• Poor healing

Each one of these occurs less than 1% to 2% of the time, and an experienced face-lift surgeon can minimize the potential for this occuring.