Swollen and Lumpy 3 Weeks Post-op Facelift/necklift - Is This Normal Healing?

When the skin is separated from the underlying tissues during surgery, small sensory #nerves are cut. Varying degrees of numbness will be present after surgery and will improve gradually as the nerves reconnect to the skin. This process can take from 2-6 months for face, neck and cheeks, and to 9-12 months for the forehead and scalp. Muscle weakness may also be present around the mouth especially if liposuction is used. This typically recovers fully in the months after surgery. As the nerves regenerate, the itching, burning, tingling and shooting #sensations will occur. Ice, moisturizers and gentle #massaging are helpful during this phase of the #healing process. Frequently there is a tight feeling in the neck, jawline and cheek after a facelift. During surgery, not only the skin but the underlying muscles are tightened to create a better and longer lasting result. Additionally, the #swelling will move downward in the first week and the neck will feel even tighter. Do not be alarmed: the sensation will decrease during the first month. 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. If you have certain concerns about the procedures and #healing process, it is recommended to call your board-certified surgeon or their medical staff and discuss those #concerns.

Although in surgery the effort is to control bleeding and subsequent swelling, fluid collection under the skin can still happen.An assessment with your surgeon would be valuable to identify whether  this is a soft  swelling which would more likely represent a seroma  (collection of plasma under the skin) or whether the swelling is firm. When the swelling is soft draining it can help speed up the recovery and reduce the risk of an infection setting up in the area. When the swelling is firm, it is debatable whether intervention is more valuable than waiting. The body has its way of dealing with the swelling and although steroid injections can help they can also produce some problems.

Thank you for your question.  I'm sorry you are having these concerns after your facelift.  At 3 weeks postoperative, you still have quite a bit of swelling.  This can take the form of lumps or bumps under the skin.  Based on your pictures, it appears that you are healing okay so far.   It can take anywhere from 6 months to a year for all the swelling after a facelift to resolve.  Be sure to contact your surgeon with these concerns and follow all postoperative instructions just as they were given to you.
I hope that this helps!

-David Gilpin

It is normal to have some swelling and small lumps and bumps in the immediate post operative period for which you are (1-6 weeks). these may represent sutures, fat grafting deposits and your body's response to the surgery. Wearing your facial garment and having lymphatic massage can help.

Thank you for your question. Every patient differs in healing. On average you are presentable in 7-10 days. It takes 1-2 years for all of the subtle healing to occur. Communicate any concerns with your surgeon. They want you to have a great result.
Best wishes.

Hopefully you have discussed this with your surgeon. Lumps can happen and usually resolve with time. You should seek consultation with a Board certified Plastic surgeon in your area. Dr. K 

The time for facelift recovery depends mainly on the delicacy of the technique used by the surgeon. Combination of the surgery with other procedures can increase the recovery time however, this is what is expecting you in general:
your facelift operation takes around 2-3 hours
add 1-3 hours if fat grafting and upper and lower blepharoplasties and brow lifts are combined
you will stay at the hospital for 1-2 days after which you will be discharged with no bandages or drains
you will be seen on day 5 for removal of your stitches after which you can continue normally with your routine life
your edema and swelling will be very minimal and bruising almost none with just the facelift operation
however if fat grafting is performed, you will have more swelling that can last for 1-2 weeks
be ready to go public in 5 days, but for a formal event, I advice to wait a month
your final results will be seen in 3 months
your scars will mature in a yearSo 5 days is a very early period! Try to get enough rest. Lumps are usually normal during this period.
Hope this helps,
Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

It is difficult to appreciate your concerns with the quality of the photo and only the one view. I would recommend you following up with your surgeon. It appears you may have a fluid collection. These can be drained. If the localized swellings are red or feel hot, and infection may be brewing. If the localized swelling are not red or hot they may be localized pockets of fluid/swelling. Thes often will resolve nicely with an injection of steroids. I am not a fan of massaging, however steroids are a great tool to help influence your body's healing.

Dear Jackie, I wouldn't be concerned at this stage. It looks like you were more swollen and bruised. Most of my patients can go back to work after 2 weeks. It looks like you are not ready yet. But I have seen patients with similar swelling and bruising. I understand patients' concerns but rest assured that all will settle with time. The nodes are bruises that start getting fibrosed and so dissolved over the next weeks. Most of your swelling should be down after 6 weeks but be aware that the nodes at this point can even show more  since the swelling around them settled but the nodes are still there. Massaging for a few minutes a few times a day can help getting them dissolved quicker. See your plastic surgeon on a regular basis. I am sure he will give you the assurance you need at this point.
All the best for you

You should be fully healed by this time after a lift.  Your skin flaps are healing well but the suture line has separated or scabbed in some areas.  I would recommend an antibiotic ointment to the incisions and gentle massage to the lumpy areas.  You can try warm compresses as well but be careful with heat as you have blunted sensation and do not want to burn the skin.  

It seems that you're unhappy with your recovery. To answer your one question, yes usually it is not uncommon for things to be swollen and lumpy after a facelift. Usually it's worse the first week but gets better every week. 
If it does not settle, you can undergo corrective surgery with additional surgery.  I would recommend that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area that is a member of both ASPS & ASAPS and performs a lot of facelifts if you want a second opinion and of course, make sure you follow up with your own surgeon and talk about this. 
I hope this helps and wish you all the best in your surgery and event. If it does, please take a moment to up vote this answer on the “respond” button on the top right.