Still tight around my chin and ears 12 months after facelift. Can I do anything to help the healing?

Question

Hello, I had a full facelift, brow lift, fat graft, lipo in my chin. It is almost 13 months post op and I am still tight around my chin and ears and numb all over my face, chin and ears. I look great but worried that tightness and numbness will never go away. Please tell me if I can do anything to help the heeling. Thank you very much.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Although we say that mature, stable result, after face lift is achieved within 12 months from surgery, irecovery may last longer in some patients. This is particularly the case with recovery of sensation in face and neck; in some patients it can take 2-2.5 years to return to normal. Regarding the tightnes, that will also improve. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @alenka1949, thank you for your question. It's always important to remember that healing is a unique process for each individual patient and it can take some time for results to be fully visible. You should definitely consult with the surgeon who performed your procedure as he would best be able to provide detailed information on what may help you in terms of the tightness and numbness still present after 12 months post-op. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS),International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP).

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello ! Thank you for your question I have tried to evaluate your case from the information and photos you provided. Without your face photos it is very hard to make an evaluation of your case. If you could provide photos and more information I would be able to evaluate your case in a more appropriate way.
Thank you ! regards

Sudeep Roy, MD · Answer

This is the fine balance that has to be achieved in effective facelifting. Aggressive facelifts that involve "over-tightening" of the platysma, "over-resection" of skin will "look great" for a while but introduce a lot of tension in the face and neck that can feel and look "over done". Whatever the case, it is good that you are happy with the way you appear. I would suggest, with the permission of your surgeon, seeking out a lymphatic drainage therapist who might be able to help soften the feeling of tightness that can result from persistent swelling, scar tissue and various other biomechanical changes resulting from the facelift. I hope you found this advice useful!

Thomas Spalla, MD · Answer

First, you should see your surgeon and ask for their guidance. Tightness typically does dissipate with time, but it's been awhile for you already. Assuming your surgeon doesn't seen anything untoward, you may be a candidate for a deep tissue massage of the region or even lymphatic massage/drainage, but get your surgeon's opinion before undertaking anything like this.

Regarding the numbness, discuss this with your surgeon. Help map out the regions of anesthesia with an eyeliner or erasable marker to aid in the conversation with your surgeon. Small areas of numbness over incisions is not unusual, but entire regions of anesthesia are concerning, especially since it's over a year, for permanent nerve damage.

Still tight around my chin and ears 12 months after facelift. Can I do anything to help the healing?

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