Can I have a facelift after a superficial parotidectomy?

Facelift after a parotidectomy is not only quite possible in experienced hands, it is the ideal time to reconstruct the sunken area and cover any exposed facial nerves with grafts and small internal flaps.  Doctors performing this reconstruction should be comfortable performing nerve repairs, parotidectomies and neurolysis procedures.

You can have a facelift after parotid surgery.  The problem the parotid surgery poses is that it makes the facial nerve more susceptible to injury during facelift surgery. Depending on the situation , the facelift will probably need to be a somewhat conservative lift in order to inimize that risk.  Also you will probably need to wait until a full year to have the facelift performed.  Good luck!

     I would not recommend a facelift after parotidectomy due to facial nerve concerns.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Can you have a facelift after parotidectomy? The answer is Yes but the recommendation in NO. If you have had a superficial or total parotidectomy ,your facial nerve is lying literally millimeters below the skin of your face. Although its technically possible , the risk to damaging your facial nerve is very significant and to be honest unacceptable. 

This is a question that comes up in our practice once every few years.

Yes it is possible to perform a facelift after superficial parotidectomy.

BUT, I do not think it is a good idea. The anatomy of the facial nerve branches is altered. Commonly, the nerve is now encased by scar tissue and is located rather superficially underneath the skin.

A much better approach would be to discuss a possible later facelift with your head & neck surgeon before the parotidectomy. In that case, the surgeon can take some pre-emptive measures at the time of facial nerve dissection.

Many other treatments for facial rejuvenation can be performed for you. Personally, I have safely performed necklift surgery after parotid tumor surgery.