Facelift Deep Plane 3 Weeks Ago. Skin is Very Dry and Swelling Around Cheeks and Face and Ears is Not Going Down.

Swelling can take longer for some patients depending on technique used and individual patient healing factors.  Most swelling resolves with time early on.  Texture changes to skin might be a result of swelling put extra stretch on skin.  Moisturize for dry skin, avoid retinols and peels early on, avoid the sun, and avoid antibiotic ointments.  Check with your surgeon soon to see swelling and dryness issues resolve completely.

Thank you for your question for sharing your concerns with us. Swelling and firmness in the tissues will return to normal as time passes by. Between the first and second week, much of your swelling and bruising will dissipate. It may take more than a month or two for your tissues to fully soften and any residual swelling to resolve. Lymphatic massage maybe an option to help clear the swelling and firmness at a faster pace. As far as the dryness and flakiness of the skin, it should resolve as you heal.  Your skin went through a lot of trauma with surgery and is also in the process of healing.  Use strong moisturizers to keep the skin hydrated.  I would make sure that you continue to follow up with your plastic surgeon during this period of time.

Thank you for your question. Don't lose hope! At three weeks, some swelling and texture changes in the skin are to be expected, particularly with a more extensive facelift.  The textures changes are actually part of the swelling -- the skin will be more rigid and less pliable until this resolves. In terms of dryness, an emollient cream as frequently as possible is helpful. I have my patients use Acquaphor. Please stay in touch with your surgeon throughout the healing process.
 

   A deep plane facelift will always produce a great deal of swelling for a few weeks.  The dryness is not uncommon and should be managed conservatively.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Facelift swelling may take a few more weeks to resolve.  The faking skin may due to the tightness of the skin secondary to swelling.  Keeping your skin moisturizes will help.  Minimizing your vigorous activity and sleeping with your head elevated while sleeping may help.

Dr. ES

It is absolutely normal to have some remaining cheek puffiness 3 weeks after a deep-plane facelift. Usually it is mild to modest at this point - but certainly noticeable to the patient. Dry skin after facelift is an unusual complaint - skin moisturizer should be ok - but I would still double-check with your facelift surgeon.

The skin softness routinely returns - but it will take more time.

It is very common to have persistent cheek swelling 3 weeks after a facelift. This should get progressively better over the next several weeks. The dryness could be secondary to swelling or makeup. Moisturizer should be ok to help with the dryness. I would follow up with your surgeon to ensure that you are healing properly.

The swelling can take a while to recede and certainly affect your skin. The dryness is secondary to this. Moisturization is important and you may need to adjust your makeup regimen in the meantime.

You can have swelling after a deep plane face lift that can last for several months.  The dry skin may be secondary to the swelling you have.  This can be treated with the use of good moisturizers.

One of the nice things about websites like this one for patients is you get to hear comments from other plastic surgeons about your situation. You think you are the only person with your set of issues, then you find out you are in the boat. Grab your oar. You are just in the facelift boat. At 3 weeks after a real facelift like you had, 100% of people have swollen ears, swollen cheeks, swollen you-name-it. I tell my patients that the hardest time for a facelift is not the first night or the first week, but from 2 weeks till 2 months when you are waiting to look like yourself again. Pretty soon, you will look better than all your girlfriends, ....... but it takes 6 months.