Full Facelift Recovery Results. Healing Well, But Concerned About Results?

The 'Joker' or 'Black Orchid' line describes an unnatural sweeping crease from the angle of the mouth to the root of the ear that may arise following facelift often in the patient with thinner looser skin. It is a pitfall for the inexperienced surgeon who  might have obtained good results with a sharp upward pull of the cheek skin in a younger patient or one with a different skin type.

The look is avoided by modifying the vector of pull to suit the patient.

Having said this, I have no indication that you have this problem since there is no photograph. Furthermore, 10 days is far too early to evaluate a facelift. My advice is to discuss your concerns openly and honestly with your surgeon and allow several weeks to go by before making any judgement.

Only 10 days out from surgery is a time when there is still significant swelling. At about 1 month 80% of swelling is gone and the rest goes away over 6 months. Try to relax and see your doctor for his or her recommendations.

You are describing some normal aspects of the facelift healing process. You will appreciate significant changes over the next 5 weeks. Now is not the time to look at fine minutiae of your face but rather at the overall impressions of early benefit.

After a facelift, it is difficult to maintain the patience and confidence that most imperfections will improve with time.

Thank you for the question. Without pictures it is difficult to say exactly what happened, but only 10 days after a facelift is quite early. Many of the differences in swelling between sides, or slight irregularities, will smooth out over time. Make sure to stay in touch with your surgeon and discuss your concerns. Sometimes gentle massage or other techniques will be used to help. Best of luck!

Without pictures and without knowledge of your situation, it is very difficult to give meaningful advice.  However, 10 days after a procedure is too early to judge your results.  I would recommend a conversation with your Surgeon and a tincture of time.

   The joker line at 10 days following facelift may very well go away in a few weeks, particularly if you have cheek and lip swelling.   Your plastic surgeon is in a better position to answer whether this is normal or not.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA