Facial and Neck Pain Are Severe 6 Months After Facelift, Necklift, Chin PImplants, What Should I do?

Question

I had a facelift,necklift,chin implant and fat injections. The pain in my face and neck are growing worse. In addition, my gums and inner lips have swollen up. My ps says it is nothing he has done, but did cut a suture that looked like a fishing line that went from ear to ear. I still feel my temples being pulled. The surgical report lacks a lot of detail.I went to another plastic surgeon who didn't give me much information except that he couldn't help me. Who should contact now?

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Tightness following a #facelift, neck lift or chin implant are not uncommon. 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 of the areas may accelerate the 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.

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

It is very difficult to answer your question without seeing you in person and examining you - severe pain as you describe is not at all common after surgery - you may benefit from seeing a chronic pain specialist

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Lucy

	
	So sorry to hear that your surgeon can't help you with what you are experiencing.  I am going to guess that things have gone pretty sour with your original surgeon considering that you have obtained your medical records.  It is not uncommon that operative reports feel a little thin on details.  These records are intended to provide a surgical outline for another surgeon and can be a bit telegraphic.  If you are a lay-person, there simply is often not enough detail there for answering specific questions.  That is not was an operative report is for.  No, that job is reserve for your surgeon. 

	Understandably other surgeons may not want to intervene on your case.  Certainly it is hard to imagine how the facelift could be related to gum and inner lip swelling. 

	In addition to whatever else is going on, I wonder if you might be clinically depressed from the stress of recovering from surgery.  For some people, recovering from surgery can be stressful, especially when there are challenges to your recovery. 

	On this forum, it is difficult to get to the bottom of your concerns.  However, you might consider exploring the emotional impact of your surgery with a psychotherapist.  I suspect that you are tight from the surgery and have normal sensory changes that do tend to resolve over time.  However, due to the break down in your relationship with your plastic surgeon, you have lost your surgeon as a source of strength helpful to the healing process.  Hope that helps.

Scott E. Kasden, MD, FACS · Answer

Your description of procedure is too sparse to get a handle on things.

	My advice to you is to go to a dentist or oral surgeon for the gums/lips to rule out infection.  I would recommend a visit to a plastic surgery department in a university, or another plastic surgeon, perhaps in another town.

	Sounds like you may have had a face lift by a non-plastic surgeon, so check his credentials.

	Finally, you did not describe pain, and this is important, as the treatment may depend on it.  For example, depending on the pain and what was done, you may need more sutures out, or you may need a medication that may work on nerve pain, or perhaps another strategy, like a tens unit.

	You need to be fully evaluated.

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

It is reasonable to feel the tightness after face and neck lift, though by seven months you should look and feel fine. With the information that we have we cannot know why you might have pain and you should look for another plastic surgeon in your area who might be more helpful to you.

Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com

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Facial and Neck Pain Are Severe 6 Months After Facelift, Necklift, Chin PImplants, What Should I do?

Answers (6)

Answer: Post face lift pain

Answer: Post face lift pain

Answer: Tightness after facelift

Answer: Tightness after facelift

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Everything you need to know about Facelift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.