Ear Numbness on One Side After Lower Facelift?

During face and neck lift surgery, the
face is rejuvenated by lifting the soft tissues that have dropped with facial
ageing and restoring them to their natural position. As part of the surgery the
excess and floppy skin that has become lax with time is partly removed. As part
of the face and neck lift surgery, it is completely normal to have a degree of
numbness around the face and neck during the healing period. The sensory nerves
that provide sensation gradually improve after surgery between 6 weeks to 6
months. Numbness during this period gradually improves as the sensory nerves
recover. It is rare for numbness to persist after 12months, however in the same
way every person has relatively unique facial characteristics, very rarely
numbness can be long lasting. Patients who have difficult adapting to this
change may also find some tightness in their neck during the healing period.
For these patients, MLD, manual lymphatic drainage a specific type of neck
massage may be effective in improving their symptoms and reducing their
recovery time.

Thank you for your question.  Unfortunately, due to the incisions being close to the ear, patients often do experience a lot of pain around this area (shooting pains, numbness, itchiness).  Loss of sensitivity and numbness to the area can last up to 3-6 months, therefore you are still very early post op - please be patient and give it time.  If you have any queries regarding numbness after this, please do return to see your plastic surgeon so they can advice.Best Wishes 

Hello! Thank you for your question! Numbness after any surgical
procedure is expected for several weeks to months following. As the
nerves to the area are traumatized and will then experience a temporary
neuropraxia, a transient loss of nerve conduction. This usually
resolves over the next 6-12 weeks, but depending on the procedure
performed, sometimes much longer. Typically this should resolve by 1
year. As it goes past this date, the likelihood of the sensation
returning is small. However, it can take up to 2 years. If no return
from there, it is unlikely to return. It should be discussed that
persistent sensory changes may develop following any surgical
procedure.  The Great Auricular Nerve may have some neuropraxia, or less likely damaged.  Sensation should return over weeks to months, but followup closely with your surgeon.The usual signs of the nerves regenerating and neuropraxia
resolving is itching, followed by a burning sensation and then
occasional sharp, shock-like pains. These will be normal to experience,
and actually a promising sign. Usually, normal sensation returns, but
is is also possible to have decreased sensation or even increased
sensation to the areas affected. Re-educating nerves postoperatively is
often helpful and will allow proper instruction for the affected
sensory nerves - methods include using different textures to the
affected areas when showering, bathing, applying lotion, etc. If
bothersome, there are some medications that may be helpful, including
Neurontin for pain for hypersensitivity. You can try various textures
such as washcloths, loofahs, cotton sheets, etc. Massaging the areas is
also beneficial for the incision to make the finest scar possible. The
last place to regain the sensation will be directly adjacent to the
incision/scar as the nerves will make its way from the periphery to this
location. If continual pain arises, evaluation is warranted. After
ruling out other causes, one rare explanation may be that a neuroma has
developed and may require surgical excision. This is very unlikely
unless a large sensory nerve has been transected inadvertently during
the procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

   Numbness of the ear at 9 weeks may be due to neuropraxic injury and should improve over several months to a year. 

It is not abnormal to feel numbness around the ear at 9 weeks following a lower facelift. Numbness may be caused by temporary nerve damage, which will usually resolve itself within 6 months to a year following surgery. It may take even longer for a complete recovery, but it really depends on the patient and the extent of their surgery. It is too soon to tell whether or not any nerve damage you are experiencing is permanent, but this will rarely be the case. I would recommend speaking with your surgeon regarding the issues you are experiencing. He/she may be able to provide some additional insight. Thank you, and best of luck with the remainder of your recovery!

Numbness of the facial region is normal after a face lift. Most sensation will eventually return to normal. This may take months to occur. There are time that ear may remain numb for an extended period of time, permanent numbness is possible but rare. You are still early so give it more time and see if there is slow return of sensation.

It is still early and you are still in the healing process. The numbness in your ear on one side after your lower facelift is rather common. The fact that sensation has returned in the other ear is also encouraging, but certainly bring this question up with your surgeon and he/she can make sure you are healing as planned.

The greater auricular nerve can be affected by neck surgery.Most of the time numbness resolves as swelling & inflammation go away.Occasionally numbness can be permanent but this is rare.