5 Months After Facelift, What Could Cause Numb Feeling to Come & Go?

Hello! Thank you for your question! Numbness after any surgical
procedure is expected for several weeks to months following. As the
nerves to the area are traumatized and will then experience a temporary
neuropraxia, a transient loss of nerve conduction. This usually
resolves over the next 6-12 weeks, but depending on the procedure
performed, sometimes much longer. Typically this should resolve by 1
year. As it goes past this date, the likelihood of the sensation
returning is small. However, it can take up to 2 years. If no return
from there, it is unlikely to return. It should be discussed that
persistent sensory changes may develop following any surgical
procedure. The usual signs of the nerves regenerating and neuropraxia
resolving is itching, followed by a burning sensation and then
occasional sharp, shock-like pains. These will be normal to experience,
and actually a promising sign. Usually, normal sensation returns, but
is is also possible to have decreased sensation or even increased
sensation to the areas affected. Re-educating nerves postoperatively is
often helpful and will allow proper instruction for the affected
sensory nerves - methods include using different textures to the
affected areas when showering, bathing, applying lotion, etc. If
bothersome, there are some medications that may be helpful, including
Neurontin for pain for hypersensitivity. You can try various textures
such as washcloths, loofahs, cotton sheets, etc. Massaging the areas is
also beneficial for the incision to make the finest scar possible. The
last place to regain the sensation will be directly adjacent to the
incision/scar as the nerves will make its way from the periphery to this
location. If continual pain arises, evaluation is warranted. After
ruling out other causes, one rare explanation may be that a neuroma has
developed and may require surgical excision. This is very unlikely
unless a large sensory nerve has been transected inadvertently during
the procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

For unique cases where a variety of modalities could be used to treat the condition, I would suggest an in-person or virtual consultation to develop a custom and effective treatment plan. It is difficult to precisely define the best option without collecting the same information. I suggest reaching out to an expert for a consultation with surgical and non-surgical methods to get a comprehensive option. Best, Dr. Emer.

Thank you for your question. Selling is very difficult to understand other than that after surgical swelling subsides, your activity can cause some of it to come back. Thus as you heal, swelling is leaving until you overuse the area, and some can return. Thus, you have to pay attention to what makes you swell, and what you can do to reduce the inflammation. I hope this helps.

   Tingling around the ears after mini facelift at 5 months is a sign that things are still regenerating.  Kenneth Hughes, MD HughesPlasticSurgery Los Angeles, CA

As the nerves "wake up" after facelift patients will notice that the face goes from feeling numb to feeling more normal, but certainly in the 1 month to 2 year time frame over which this happens there will be periods where the sensation fluctuates.  Short answer, this is normal and should fix itself over time. 

Dear plm, thank you for your question. Swelling after a facelift may persists from
weeks to months, causing bumps or asymmetries to appear. In San Diego, we monitor our patients closely
for one year to address any issues. Follow up with your surgeon to check if this
is swelling versus something else and if treatment is indicated. Best of Luck.

Temporary numbness, itching, funny sensations and heaviness can happen after any type of facelift surgery. In vast majority of cases it is temporary and as the sensory nerves grow back and swelling of the face goes down the sensation return to normal.

In rare case the numbness can be permanent and can occur due to damage of the nerve behind the ear on the neck. Luckily this is rare.

Because the skin and fat tissues are separated from a large portion of their underlying sensory nerve supply, there will almost certainly be some sensory change following facelift surgery.  The strange sensations you are describing, called collectively "dysesthesias," are typical, and while they may resolve in a matter of a few months, it is not unheard of for them to take a year or longer to go away.  Sometimes a little mild stimulation like a gentle massage or rubbing with lotion will help desensitize the tissues and expedite the resolution of dysesthesias.

It is very normal to have numbness or odd sensations around the ears and cheeks after a facelift.  This typically improves in the first 3 months after your surgery, but can certainly last longer and varies with each individual.  As the sensory nerves are regrowing and reconnecting it is common to have a sensation that isn't numb but isn't normal either.  This tingling and itching are common sensations that many patients report during this recovery process and should disappear.  Facelift scars also continue to improve over this first year and this process could also be contributing to the itchy and tingling sensation around your ears.