62, female 9 weeks post neck, face and endoscopic brow lift. Look natural-intolerable tightness/pain in temples & cheeks (Photo)

Question

Terrible tightness in both temples & down left cheek. Sometimes pulling,nerve pain in left scalp, temple & above left brow. Also have a small,sometimes painful (feels in way) lump under left neck. Getting ultrasound from PS on cheeks & neck 1X/ week-5 wks w/ no improvement. What is causing this? & Why not improving? Can it be too tight? What can be done to reduce tightness? Will it go away? If it doesn't, is there anything a surgeon can do to alleviate it? Anything to get rid of lump on neck?

Adrian E. House, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about the discomfort you're experiencing. It's important to remember that you're still in the early stages of your healing process. The tightness you're feeling is quite common after facial surgery, and it's a positive indication that your tissues are adjusting and settling into their new position. Sometimes, nerves can take time to adapt, leading to sensations like pulling and nerve pain. It's also normal to experience lumps and bumps during the healing period.
Typically, it can take around 3-4 months for the tightness and any irregularities to subside as your tissues fully heal. Asymmetric swelling can contribute to these sensations. I often recommend to my patients that they give their body adequate time to adjust. If needed, Kenalog (steroid) injections can be utilized to help manage asymmetric swelling and reduce any discomfort.
The lump you're feeling could be due to various factors, including healing tissue or swelling. Your plastic surgeon is performing the right approach by monitoring your progress through regular check-ups. If the symptoms persist or worsen, discussing your concerns with your surgeon is important. In most cases, time and close communication with your surgeon can lead to improvements, ensuring that your ultimate results are well-balanced and in line with your expectations.

62, female 9 weeks post neck, face and endoscopic brow lift. Look natural-intolerable tightness/pain in temples & cheeks (Photo)

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62, female 9 weeks post neck, face and endoscopic brow lift. Look natural-intolerable tightness/pain in temples & cheeks (Photo)

Answers (1)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Neck Lift

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