Does after facelift swelling cause skin to stretch out?

Question

will a lot of swelling that lasts for about 6 months (gradually lessening) after a SMAS facelift cause the skin to stretch back out - because I am not seeing the desired results after all the swelling has gone 1 year later. I am 67 years old.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question for sharing your concerns and experience with us.  At one year, I would expect your results to be very stable.  The swelling from a facelift should not affect your skin's elasticity and it's ability to recoil once all the swelling is down.  However, if you had poor tissue elasticity before the surgery, then this will persist afterwards.  You may want to consider adding a laser procedure such as a CO2 procedure or Profound, a micro needling radio frequency procedure that restores some elasticity to the facial tissues.  You can also consider a minor revision to the procedure to remove some additional laxity.  I would visit with your surgeon to discuss your options in more detail.

Lucian Ion, FRCS · Answer

Some types of facelift have been associated with more prolonged swelling but their proponents have usually demonstrated good results. That suggests that prolonged swelling is not automatically a cause for failure of a facelift. If you feel that your results do not meet your expectations, it is worth discussing with your surgeon, as a small revision or non-surgical treatments can improve the outcome.

Konstantin Vasyukevich, MD · Answer

The swelling can certainly cause some skin stretching after a facelift.  However, the effect of the swelling would rarely persist beyond a year.  If you think your results can be improved, ask your plastic surgeon what additional procedures could tighten the stretched skin.  Best wishes!

David J. Levens, MD · Answer

Initial swelling during the first few weeks after facelift is quite common and can create a temporary smoothing of the skin.  When the swelling resolves and the "final" result is apparent, it is not uncommon to see some lines and looseness reappear.  This may lead to some disappointment. However, when looking back at the preop photos there will be enough overall improvements to consider the procedure a success. A thorough discussion of the expectations after any surgery should help to minimize this type of patient perception of their potential result.You should follow up with your plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns.  There are non-surgical enhancements that may help without having to go back to surgery at only 1 year.

Ryan Neinstein, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Interesting question. The one thing we can never change is your skin. If you have stretchy kin from genetics, smoking, and environmental exposure no surgery will change its quality long term

Richard Parfitt, MD · Answer

There has to be a considerable amount of stretch and tension on the skin for it to respond by creating more skin, and therefore the possibility of additional laxity.  Normal swelling from facelift surgery is not enough to do this. There are a lot of factors that can account for minimal results being noted at one year out.  Some have to do with the quality and properties of your skin and underlying anatomy -- and some have to do with the surgeon's facelift technique, which can vary tremendously from surgeon to surgeon.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

There normally is some swelling that develops after a facelift and this can take 6-12 months to resolve completely.  There may be some temporary stretching of the skin from this swelling, but it should not cause a permanent stretching effect.  If you feel that your results are not to your satisfaction at one year after your facelift, you should discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

Daniel Shapiro, MD · Answer

Swelling after a face lift procedure is common and some stretching of the skin can occur. The stretching that does occur however is typically not enough to cause any permanent results. If you are not pleased with your results, talk with your plastic surgeon. There are many non-surgical treatments that can help with skin laxity.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Swelling after a facelift should not contribute significantly to the final result.   If at one year you are not satisfied you should discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Swelling after a facelift should be gone by at most 6 weeks.  By 6 months you should see the final result of your facelift.If your loose skin has returned see your plastic surgeon, a minor revision may be all that is needed to tighten the skin.

Does after facelift swelling cause skin to stretch out?

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