What Are Potential Facelift Side Effects?

Choosing a local reputable surgeon board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery or the American Board of Plastic Surgery is a good start in having a good experience and an excellent outcome.
Informed consent is part of any procedure and involves a thorough explanation of common and rare complications associated with a procedure. The first point I discuss with my patients is the perioperative phase, which involves swelling, bruising, sutures, and wound care. Pain is typically minimal after Facelift. Nausea vomiting: we minimize use of narcotics in the intraoperative and postoperative phase, we avoid use of inhalational gases in surgery, and encourage patients to take emend (anti nausea: expensive but worth it) both before and after the procedure to minimize nausea. These are not complications, but are an inevitable part of the initial healing process.
The possibilities of bleeding, infection, and scarring are discussed. In Facelift surgery, no major blood vessels are encountered and there is minimal blood loss. Infection is very rare. A local reputable Facial Plastic Surgeon will consider your result his/her billboard and has a vested interest in minimal scarring and your satisfaction with the result. Hematoma (a clot that can occur under the skin flaps) can and does happen, even in the best of hands. If addressed promptly, it is only a temporary setback. If not addressed, adverse scarring can occur.
Facial nerve injury is the one complication that makes every patient sit up in their chair during the discussion. The analogy I describe to patients is that of the Florida Power and Light engineer that comes out to my house knowing where the power line is...... and he/she stays away from it. I give the same respect and consideration to the facial nerve, which is in a very deep plane and fairly easy to avoid injuring.
Numbness or loss of sensation in the neck and around the ears can be expected for several weeks and up to several months. Return of sensation is usually heralded by a sense of itchiness or fleeting sensations. Loss of hair in or around incisions is a possibility but should not happen with delicate tissue handling and appropriate skin tension.
Anesthesia risks: Facelift is a procedure for healthy patients. Preoperative screening, and preoperative medical clearance are a good first step. Use of an experienced Anesthesiologist or CRNA will help minimize potential problems. I currently work with a board certified Anesthesiologist for cases requiring sedation.
When considering Facelift, weigh your desires in the face of potential risks, ask questions, and make an informed decision.

Thank you for your question. It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes to recover from facelift surgery varies greatly between individuals. Elevation of the head is extremely helpful in reducing the initial Postoperative swelling. You may also be advised to use ice packs intermittently.You should avoid Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for the first few days after your surgery. Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke should be avoided to prevent delays in the healing process.Once the dressings and drains are removed, puffiness and discoloration may be more pronounced in some portions of the face than others. Do not be alarmed by any unevenness or temporary asymmetry. This is normal. Most swelling is usually noted in the first 24 to 48 hours, and most bruising resolves within two weeks. Concealing makeup is usually permitted after the first week. You may experience numbness to the face postoperatively, which usually resolves within several months.Some patients find that mild swelling persists for many weeks. Most stitches are removed within a week of the surgery.Of course, many of our modern mini facelifts, such as the MACS facelift, allow patients to literally be back in public or work in as little as three days with little or no bruising!Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period as these activities may predispose you to bleeding.We will give you specific instructions that may include caring for the dressings and incisions, directions for your analgesics and other medications, specific concerns to look for, and when to follow up in the office to monitor your healing process. It may take several months for the swelling to fully resolve, and up to six months for the incision scars to fully fade. Avoidance of factors that could reduce the benefits of the surgery, such as excessive unprotected sun exposure and cigarette use, is vital. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double board certifiedPlastic surgeonHoffman EstatesBarringtonOakbrookChicago

Temporary swelling and bruising, discomfort, and temporary numbness are the most common side-effects following a facelift procedure.  Other more serious side-effects could involve bleeding, infections and nerve injury. I recommend you have a reputable board-certified facial plastic surgeon perform your procedure. Be sure to speak with your surgeon about potential side-effects so that you are fully informed about the procedure you are receiving.