Face lift is this normal 7 months post op? Main concern is that pulling / rippled look on my right side. (photos)

Question

I had a lower face lift, 7 months ago now. The left side is good, the scarring I believe should have been more concealed My right side it has this pulling and since complaining my surgeon has cut contact with me. I've seen older people with better results and I feel like the right side was not done correctly. I still have fatty arrears around my jowls but my main concern is that pulling / rippled look on my right side when I look down

Eric Swanson, MD · Answer

I'm not sure what type of facelift you had, but the solution is a secondary "deep plane" facelift that elevates the deep SMAS layer vertically and brings the skin with it. This avoids skin tension. you have a "pixie ear" deformity from skin tension around your earlobe. When doing the deep-plane lift, the cheeks, jowls, and neck are all treated without leaving conspicuous signs that you had surgery. The good news is that this problem can in all likelihood be remedied.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You have two problems. A distorted earlobe and incorrect direction of pull. These are both easily correctable if the surgeon knows how. The two problems are actually related so they can be corrected together

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It takes long time for result to settle after surgery like face lift. Scar adhesions are the major reason for your current dynamic deformity and very likely it will improve in time. In some patients injection of Botox in the areas of adhesion lines make create a noticable difference. Result after face lift surgery should not be considered as final and mature at least 1 year after surgery.  Good luck

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

To make a quality assessment regarding the outcome of any plastic surgery procedure we generally need to see a complete set of proper before and after pictures. If you don’t have it before, and after pictures, then ask your surgeon to forward the pictures they took.
It’s difficult to give you a quality assessment based on limited information.
 There are many different steps involved with face surgery and understanding the exact type of facelift you had would also be helpful.
To get a proper second opinion consultation, I suggest you schedule those as in person consultations with other providers in your community.
For second opinion consultations come prepared bringing with you a complete set of proper before and after pictures and a copy of your operative report.
These are part of your medical records and should be available by your current provider if you request them.
 Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Face lift is this normal 7 months post op? Main concern is that pulling / rippled look on my right side. (photos)

Answers (4)