Why is my chin sore and feeling tugging below ears 1 year after having chin implant and deep plane facelift?

Question

After surgery 1 yr ago, I had a hematoma on each cheek. Gone now. Doc said lines on left cheek are due to scar tissue that he will remove during revision surgery. Chin is very sore & redder than pre-surgery; it feels like a weight. Mouth is puckered. By end of day, it's difficult to enunciate. Have tugging sensation below ears & some tingling continues along jaw line up to ears. Also have Pixie Ears & Tragus is missing. Could facelift have been too tight? My doc says no. Advice is appreciated!

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

I recommend following up with your Doctor. The soreness and redness you're experiencing may indicate an infection and your implant may need to be removed. The pixie ears can be improved with a minor procedure. I hope this helps!

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

I am sorry that  you had a rough postoperative course and have ongoing concerns.  The one comment that I can make is regarding pixie ears.  Since the earlobe is a loose, elastic soft tissue structure, absolutely no tension can be placed on it during skin removal and wound closure.  Pixie ears form when this principle isn't followed, but are correctable with a V to Y closure or a revision facelift.  Modern facelift techniques rely on the SMAS as the tension bearing layer.  It's always best to revisit these issues with your Surgeon and get a few more opinions if this isn't satisfactory.

Why is my chin sore and feeling tugging below ears 1 year after having chin implant and deep plane facelift?

Answers (2)