On Day 9 After my Facelift, I Look Very Tight and Do Not Look Natural. I Still Have Swelling in my Neck (2 Lumps on Both Sides)?

Swelling after a facelift usually reaches a peak at 48 hours and begins to slowly go down. Swelling after the 8 hours if associated with heat, redness, or pain could indicate an infection and should be checked by your doctor immediately. Swelling present when the dressing is removed could be a hematoma, a collection of blood.If small they usually are absobed by the body. If larger they may require draining. Probably one of the most common causes of swelling after the first 48 hours is diet related. I encourage patients to follow a low salt diet for the first two weeks. If a patient has a salty meal, they will usually swell up. This can lead to an unnatural look. Faces often feel unnatural because of the temporary numbness which follows facelifting. As the feeling returns , patients often feel more comfortable. You should allow at least 6 months to a year to see the final results.

 The two lumps on the side of the neck are often the salivary glands, which drop and become visible over time. I do not recommend removing them because as we get older the mouth tends to dries out. Removing them would accelerate this.

Thank you for your question. What you are describing is a usual part of the process.  It will take some time, (months), for things to finally settle in. It is hard to comment on the swelling without an exam.  Please let them know your concerns. Please follow your plastic surgeon's post operative care plan.

9 days is still soon after your surgery, and it is not abnormal to still have a considerable amount of swelling that can influence the appearance of your result. The side effects of a facelift may include the following:

1) Swelling
2) Bruising
3) Bleeding
4) Asymmetry

The lumps you mentioned may be due to swelling. I would recommend following up with your surgeon and having an exam so they can ensure you are healing properly. It may take more than a few days before your swelling subsides. Depending on the patient, complete healing can take a few months. I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your recovery.

You are very early in your recovery.  Your results will continue to improve and look more natural with time.  

Dr. ES

The swelling and discomfort you are experiencing is quite normal. The lumps however should be pointed out to the plastic surgeon as a might be fluid collections that would benefit by being drained.