3 months post op of lower facelift, I feel numb, pulling, and soreness. Is this normal?

Question

It's exactly 3 months after having a lower facelift. I still am experiencing numbness, pulling, sticking prickly needles in the scars and soreness. Is this normal in the process of healing? At what point should I request a steroid shot into the scars behind my ears?

George Yang, MD · Answer

Hi dabuji,I inform my patients before the surgery to expect temporary numbness in front of the ear and behind the ear for a lower facelift, as well as numbness under the chin if they also have a necklift at the same time. Typically it takes 2-4 months for the numbness to go away.  In some cases, I have had some patients report that they have feeling coming back as early at 4-6 weeks, but I think these are the exception and not the rule.  Also some patients will have numbness which last longer than 4 months, and these patients are also the exceptions and not the rule.Immediately after the facelift procedure, patients describe numbness without any tingling when touching the skin directly in front of the ears.  The reason for this happening is that when the surgeon undermines the skin (lifts up the skin) in order to perform the lower facelift, the microscopic capillary like nerves which connect from the fat to the skin are cut.  These nerves are not visible and will simply reconnect to the skin after enough time is given for healing.I will use an analogy to describe the nerve ending reconnecting, which is like when your leg or arm falls asleep, and it feels completely "dead."  When you move the arm or leg to get some circulation into it, you will suddenly get a strong "pins and needles" sensation and weird sensations, which is the nerve "rebooting" or reconnecting.  The sticking prickly needles may be the nerves reconnecting and after that feeling goes away much of the feeling of the skin returns.  Soreness 3 months after a lower facelift is also possible.  Although the incisions appear healed within weeks to months after the surgery, the deeper tissue healing will continue for 6-12 months until it is fully healed.  Steroid shots are typically used for raised scars AKA hypertrophic scars, and can be performed as soon as the hypertrophic scars are identified.I hope these answers help during your recovery.  Keep your surgeon updated of your questions and concerns.  I'm sure he or she would prefer that you ask the office and the surgeon directly instead of asking doctors online for answers.Best,Dr. YangP.S. There is a new feature on Realself, which is the "Follow" button. It is similar to the "Like" button on Facebook. If you like my response or any of the doctor responses while you research on Realself, you should "Follow" them. You will get email updates, when the doctors you follow post any new answers to questions, post new photos, or have any new reviews.

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

What you are describing is very normal and expected with a good facelift.  I tell my patient it will take 4 to 6 month to forget you had a facelift. There is swelling, tightness, numbness from the undermined skin and scar maturation.  I would inject steroids if the scar is beginning to thicken.  Your PS will Guide you. Good Luck

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

The skin is elevated from the face during a facelift, cutting the nerves that go into the skin. The nerves gradually regrow and re-innervate the skin sensory end organs, and this can take a many months. Scars can remain firm for 4-6 months as well. Depending on the surgical technique, the feeling of pulling may be more or less.  Most tissues placed under tension will relax, and although one may feel tight at three months, the tissue stretch back should relieve that tightness as time goes by. For your individual case, it is important to speak with your plastic surgeon, since he/she knows the particulars of the kind of facelift surgery you had.   Steroid injections to scars are a judgement call, based on the time since the wound was closed, how thick or raised the scar is, and how uncomfortable it is.  This can only be determined by an in person exam by your plastic surgeon.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Most tightness and soreness is gone after three months following a facelift. Know this can persist in some areas for many months thereafter.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Great question. Each patient's body heals differently with some patients needing a bit more time to heal fully. The sensations you are feeling are nerves healing and sometimes this process can take weeks or months. Take with your surgeon about a proper solution that is right for your body.

Michael Kulick, MD, DDS · Answer

Yes, subjective complaints at 3 months are not atypical depending on how the procedure was performed.  Not all "recoveries" are the  same.  If you have any questions, ask your doctor.  You can also obtain a second opinion.  Steriod injections into scars can be helpful so you should ask your doctor about this also.

3 months post op of lower facelift, I feel numb, pulling, and soreness. Is this normal?

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3 months post op of lower facelift, I feel numb, pulling, and soreness. Is this normal?

Answers (11)

Answer: Complete convalescence from a facelift may take many months.

Answer: Complete convalescence from a facelift may take many months.

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Answer: Lower facelift, I feel numb, pulling, and soreness

Answer: Lower facelift, I feel numb, pulling, and soreness

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