This is 14 months posts facelift. To me this looks like lateral sweep. Am I right or wrong? (Photo)

In the 1970s and 1980s, there were more reports of lateral sweep  happening after facelift surgery, as surgeons have understood the anatomy of this operation better, it has become less and less common to see a lateral sweepafter facelift.   What we see in your pictures, could represent lateral sweep, but it could also be scarring or skin lines from tension distribution.  The best course of action would be to bring this up with the original surgeon to see what they think.  Some of these problems can be fixed with an easy office procedures, but some of them may require going back to the operating room.It is important to discuss your needs, wishes, recovery time constraints, and budget limits with an honest and experienced surgeon, and receive bias-free personal advice. ALWAYS consult a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, to ensure the highest standards of ethical practice and safe surgery.Reza Momeni, MD FACS American Board of Plastic SurgeryAmerican Society of Plastic SurgeonsAmerican Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Older type of facelift surgerywill results in a lateral sweep because the skin is turned upward significantlyduring a facelift. This change in orientation of the skin can lead to anunusual and unnatural jowls and neck shape.

When evaluating a patient with any type of unusual appearance
after a facelift, it takes more than a photo to guide someone. As a surgeon, I
would advise that you meet the original surgeon who did your facelift. If
everything looks very good until recently, then chances are that your surgeon will
have an explanation for what happened. Every surgeon who does face lifting
surgery has their own signature style and has an understanding of what their
patient looks like during their procedure.



There are many reasons why someone has a relative lateral
sweep. It has to do with the relaxing of every face and neck lift procedure. It
is our intention as surgeons to maximize the tone of the muscle under the skin
called the SMAS, or the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, as well as to
redrape and trim the excess skin so that it goes on very smoothly, looks nice, natural,
and does not have vectors of tension. When you have lateral sweep tension, it
can sometimes be from descent of one area of the face where it was higher and
came down almost like a pleat action. It could be the resolution of swelling
that was present and made the area look better before, but then the swelling
went down. Changes in tissue dynamics cause this pleating. Lastly, it could
also be the skin quality.



There are many different ways to look at this type of issue
and in a physical exam, the surgeon would actually vertically lift different
areas and feel for areas of tension and opportunity. This may be something that
is amenable to fillers. It could also be amenable to minimal enhancement.
Although you submitted a very good photo, I think physical exam has to be
performed. If you’re comfortable with your original surgeon, then by all means,
that’s probably where you’ll find your solution. If for any reason you aren’t
comfortable, then getting additional opinion is of course warranted. Meeting with
a doctor and getting additional opinions will give you a better on what’s going
on at this 14th month point of your process. I hope that was helpful, I wish you the best
of luck, and thank you for your question.



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