I had a full facelift. Afterwards the parotid gland on left side began leaking & I was swollen. Will it go away? (Photo)

Question

Drain in put in and took Zyrtec D, but it continued to leak. Pressure used and Botox flow stopped, but now if i don't have pressure on it, I get a swelling in that area He told me this swelling is scar tissue forming on the gland. Will this go away? I also have Bells Palsy from surgery or maybe the swollen parotid. (I did have Bells 38 years ago when i was pregnant. I had about 95% recovery, I still had some drooping of the eyelid and corner of my mouth which was the reason I wanted a facelift.)

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

First it would be important diagnose whether you have a seroma or a parotid fluid collection. To tell the difference between parotid gland secretions and a seroma  have the fluid analyzed by doing  an amylase test. Amylase is an enzyme found in saliva  produced by the parotid gland. In addition to the Zyrtec, a Scopolamine  Patch, Botox, and staying away from spicy and sour foods are often effective  to resolve fluid collection from the parotid gland (sialocele/fistula) originating from the parotid gland.Although it takes a while, for the VAST majority it will resolve.

Kevin Sadati, DO · Answer

I have performed several thousand face ifts and I have hadtwo situation similar to yours, my patients did well after 3 weeks. Thetreatment of choice was a conservative one.Pressure dressing, drain in place, avoidance of spicy and sour diets, aswell as anti-cholinergic medications are proper treatments for leaking parotidgland. Be patience and hang in there, you’ll get better. Good luck and goodhealing.

James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS · Answer

The question you ask is a very good one. It is not common
for patients to have a facial nerve injury after a facelift procedure, nor is
it common for a patient to have reduction of the salivary glands (parotid or
submandibular). However, in some circumstances it makes all of the difference
in the overall facelift result. To ensure your recovery is complete it is
important to follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding post-surgical care.
Patients who have surgery or injury to the parotid gland have notable swelling.
With the leaking that you mentioned it does sound like the pressure dressing
and Botox helped to stop the development of a fistula, but the Botox can also
weaken the facial nerve. You do not haveBell’s Palsy, but it is hard to offer greater details with the limited
information provided. Hopefully
this is helpful to you. Be healthy and be well, James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. Palsy after facelift can be transitory I recommend you to follow your surgeon advices!hope you get well soon. Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Don W. Griffin, MD · Answer

Parotid gland leaks almost always seal up on their own with drainage and medications. It can take several weeks to months to completely stop leaking. You mentioned that you received botox injections to your parotid. If your Bell's Palsy symptoms started after the injections or worsened after the injections, this should resolve as your botox wears off. Facial nerve injuries can take three to six months to resolve if it was caused by the surgery.

I had a full facelift. Afterwards the parotid gland on left side began leaking & I was swollen. Will it go away? (Photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: Facelift Post op. Some advices:

Answer: Facelift Post op. Some advices:

Answer: I had a full facelift. Afterwards the parotid gland on left side began leaking & I was swollen. Will it go away?

Answer: I had a full facelift. Afterwards the parotid gland on left side began leaking & I was swollen. Will it go away?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Facelift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

I had a full facelift. Afterwards the parotid gland on left side began leaking & I was swollen. Will it go away? (Photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: Facelift Post op. Some advices:

Answer: Facelift Post op. Some advices:

Answer: I had a full facelift. Afterwards the parotid gland on left side began leaking & I was swollen. Will it go away?

Answer: I had a full facelift. Afterwards the parotid gland on left side began leaking & I was swollen. Will it go away?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Facelift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.