Still heavy puckering behind ears 3 weeks after face and neck lift (Photo)

Question

Today is exactly 3 weeks post-op. Is that puckering normal? It's been like this from day 1. My jaw and neck are still very swollen, too. Thank you!

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS · Answer

You appear to have undergone a short scar facelift.    With the short scar the excess skin often puckers behind the ear.  This generally resolves over a few months.  In certain cases a touch up of the post auricular scar is needed.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

It is still too soon. You may still have some swelling, which will slowly resolve over the next several weeks. I do recommend following up with your surgeon about your concerns. Microneedling can help improve scars. I hope this helps.

J. Marshall Green, III, DDS · Answer

Hello,
   Thank you so much for your question! It’s hard to say without your preop and postop Facial pictures but from what you posted it appears your surgeon used a short scar facelift. This approach uses a shorter scar for smaller facelifts but requires the skin to be pleated in behind the ears. It should settle with time usually several months up to a year but can be revised if you wind up unhappy with it. This is a well known shortcoming of the short scar style lifts. I do hope that helps and I hope you are happy with your facelift result otherwise.

Sincerely 
Dr G

Amy S. Bekanich, MD · Answer

Hi  - 
The gathering you are seeing is within what can be expected to be seen in the post-operative discovery period.  If things have healed and you haven't had any problems then it might be a good time to go on to massage.  Your surgeon will be your best resource for that as they see you regularly.  That gathering will continue to soften with time.  
All the best - Dr. Bekanich

Randy J. Buckspan, MD (retired) · Answer

The puckering will definitely get better!  You are three weeks into a healing process that takes months.  The shorter scars are nice, but the skin will always bunch up a little and be firm at first, but with time, they skin will gradually soften and smooth out.  Just keep it covered with your hair.  Applying scar cream/gel and massage will help, too.

Val Lambros, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

this is a so-called short scar facelift. I don't end the incision here anymore because of this particular look. They all get better than this but many don't go away completely. Wait 6 months

Still heavy puckering behind ears 3 weeks after face and neck lift (Photo)

Answers (6)

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