Can Ear Lobe, Ear Shape Altered in Lower Face Lift Surgery Be Improved or Fixed? (photo)

   The earlobe can be altered after facelift, and this usually is based upon scarring and tension.  The scars are unavoidable, but earlobe position and attachment level can be altered with a revision.

The #healing process in general can take up to one month for the majority of swelling to subside, incisions to close, sutures to come out, and for bruising to completely go away. #Recovery time from a #facelift varies from person to person, but patients can generally expect to be presentable within three weeks from surgery. Patients should expect swelling, bruising, and discoloration of the skin during this phase of recovery (swelling normally goes down after 48 hours; most bruising will go away within two weeks). Some degree of firmness or #lumpiness under the skin is normal after surgery and will resolve with time. Local #massage will speed resolution of this problem, which normally takes 2-4 months to disappear completely.The marks from a facelift can easily hidden with “camouflage” make-up which you can learn how to apply.The scars from a facelift mature within six to twelve months from the surgery date. It is during this time that the rejuvenating effects of the facelift will become apparent and the real result will be seen.  Typically, it's best to wait 6 to 12 months depending on the reason for #revision. As with all #cosmetic surgery, results will be rewarding if expectations are realistic. With any surgical #procedure and #revision, there are some risks of unhappy outcome or other complications which your surgeon should discuss with you during your consultation. Your procedure should always be performed by a #PlasticSurgeon who is board-certified and has a great deal of experience specializing in cosmetic #surgery. You will then greatly improve your chances of getting the result you desire, and, without the need for another revision surgery.

The depth of the groove between the earlobe and cheek are different in this photograph. Symmetry can be achieved by a simple procedure performed on one earlobe or the other depending on the patient's preference.

Tailoring the facelift for the ears often is neglected.  The good news is that the issue you have can benefit from revisional surgery.  While this is considered minor surgery, you are likely to be very happy that you had this addressed

Although these incisions aren't perfect, they are in the range of acceptability with several flaws.  In the right ear, the skin flap is relatively thick at the lower end of the tragus as it meets the earlobe.  In addition, there is asymmetry in the way the earlobes were inset during closure. Ideal closure after a Facelift takes time and attention to detail.  The good news is that these post-surgical features are relatively easily addressed under local anesthesia.  There are incisional mistakes in facelift which are much harder to correct.

Earlobes can be improved following your surgery by a relatively straight forward procedure  named a V to y closure. This is  usually done in the office and takes approximately 30 minutes to perform.

No matter what type of facelift was done, there must be some type of incisional scar. For the physician, the scar means an area of healing, but for most people the scar is unsightly.

With the photos you submitted, I can assess that overall the incision and healing looks pretty good. I know that these are close-up pictures and there may be washing out of detail with the flash, but it appears that there’s just a little bit of fold below the opening of the ear. You might benefit from a little skin trimming in that area so it follows the cartilage. Sometimes I have to do those types of revisions with my own patients and these small little enhancements are always possible.

As far as the earlobe is concerned, in our practice we see people who get attached earlobes that weren’t attached or the earlobes are pulled. These patients come in after having surgery done elsewhere and want to get another opinion. Earlobes can be addressed after a face lifting procedure is done. Sometimes the skin regresses a little bit and there’s some tugging. Generally, the way I tuck the skin under the earlobe, particularly in an attached  or detached earlobes, is usually not an issue.

With scars, I can show you some examples of scars that are very wide and unsightly. Often these types of  scars can’t be revised that easily. When we talk about scar revision, sometimes it’s associated with elevating the skin and placing the incisions in a more favorable way. Other times it may be just doing something to camouflage the incisions whether it’s to condition the skin with the use of topical retiniods or something more aggressive like laser treatment.

I think that based on your photos, there doesn’t appear to be a significant amount of unsightly ear scar or facelift scarring. As long as the incision is flat and pretty well camouflaged and it also follows the natural contours of the ear, then it’s okay. You must be careful about being aggressive in terms of planning out any type of revision. I suggest that you speak to your surgeon and discuss these issues. I hope that was helpful, and thanks again for your question.

Earlobes can be altered after you have completely healed if they are unsatisfactory to you.  This procedure is minor and can be done under local.  After the facelift has completely healed, the position of the skin and support tissues will be more fixed, and manipulation of the shape of the earlobe should not be difficult to do .

There is sometimes a tendency for the inferior part of ear to come down a little be after the skin stretches a bit, depending on the deep sutures near the earlobes. I would wait about 6 months after surgery for revision so that you don't have revise it the second time.

Your scar placement and the earlobe deformity could be improved by some minor revisions done under local anesthesia. These are fairly straightforward to improve. This will put the finishing touches to your overall facelift result.