I am now 2 weeks and 4 days post Endoscopic Mid face Lift Lower eyelid surgery+ Malar (cheeks). Is this normal?

Your healing process in general can take up to one month for the majority of swelling to subside, incisions to close, sutures to come out, and for bruising to completely go away. #Recovery time from a #facelift varies from person to person, but patients can generally expect to be presentable within three weeks from surgery. Patients should expect swelling, bruising, and discoloration of the skin during this phase of recovery (swelling normally goes down after 48 hours; most bruising will go away within two weeks). When the skin is separated from the underlying tissues during surgery, small sensory #nerves are cut. Varying degrees of numbness will be present after surgery and will improve gradually as the nerves reconnect to the skin. This process can take from 2-6 months for face, neck and cheeks, and to 9-12 months for the forehead and scalp. Muscle weakness may also be present around the mouth especially if liposuction is used. This typically recovers fully in the months after surgery. 

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.The marks from a facelift can easily hidden with “camouflage” make-up which you can learn how to apply. The scars from a facelift mature within six to twelve months from the surgery date. It is during this time that the rejuvenating effects of the facelift will become apparent and the real result will be seen. 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.

Thank you for a great question and for sharing your experience.  You are still early in the healing process and swelling and some distortion of features can be normal.  Discuss your concerns with your surgeon.  I hope you find this helpful. Best wishes!Consult with a Board Certified Fellowship Trained Facial Plastic Surgery Specialist."This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and cannot be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

These midface lifts are performed with usually subperiosteal dissection.  Swelling from this type of dissection takes much longer to resolve than typical skin only procedures.  You are seeing gradual improvement which should be reassuring.  If you could provide photos it would help us better assess the situation. 

Moderate to severe swelling after a facelift in average last between 2 and 4 week post procedure. Some patients may take a little bit longer depending on their body healing capacity.An endoscopic midfacelift, which is usually done subperiosteal (in a plane just above the bones of the face), is well known to have be associated with prolonged swelling that could last to months when compared with other types of facelift.Patients with post facelift swelling should contact their primary facelift surgeon and ask for guidance and possible treatment regarding this matter

Hello,

Thank you for your question. It's not
uncommon to experience swelling after your operation. It is
still too early to judge if your results will remain as such.

I'd recommend booking a follow-up appointment
with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for an assessment and to discuss your
concerns.

Take care.

One would certainly expect to have swelling two weeks out from the operations you describe. As long as the trend is favorable I don't think you have much to worry about. There's not much they can be done to hasten the resolution of swelling.

An endoscopic  mid facelift is a very invasive procedure. Photographs would be very helpful in assessing the swelling and bruising that you have this early on in your postoperative course. This particular procedure leads to very significant swelling and induration that can take several months to fully resolve. Be patient and follow up  closely with your plastic surgeon. Again if you can post photographs, it will be easier to steer you in the correct direction. 

This endoscopic approach to face lifting is done at the deepest level over the bone.  This is a very vascular layer and can bleed after surgery cause swelling and bruising.  The tissues around the lower eyelids are particularly susceptible to swelling especially when a blepharoplasty is done at the same time as a deep plain face lift.  It sounds like you are beginning to turn the corner and you will likely see more yellowish discoloration.  You will probably be presentable in 3 to 4 weeks from now.  You can use moist heat, Arnica Montana (sublinqual and topical), and Bromalain (oral) to speed your healing.

The endoscopic subperiosteal midface lift is a craniofacial approach which many of us do not utilize any more for this and other reasons. The periosteum is a tough layer that lines the bone and the face responds with a great deal of swelling when it is elevated. Keep in close contact with your Surgeon for reassurance.

There would still be some expected swelling present 2-3 weeks after an endoscopic mid face lift, lower eyelid and cheek surgery.  The swelling will definitely affect the true appearance of your face, so with more time, your appearance should improve.  At this point, swelling should only be improving though, so if you feel it is not getting better, you should contact your surgeon to be evaluated.  It can take several months for the swelling to resolve.