Should Jaw & Lower Mouth Pull So Much That Talking and Eating is Difficult After SMAS Face? (Photos)

Question

Facelift changed day of surgery from endotine to SMAS facelift. Hard jowls (swollen). Lower face (lip) and jaw is very stiff..hard to make "f" when talking and crumbly food falls out. Mouth looks like a frowning slash sort of. If I put pressure in front of the ear, its easier to talk. Surgery was 3 weeks ago. Right side had Bell's palsy so was expecting problem. Couple of indentations. Jaw/mouth area is kind of frozen, upper face is quite loose as well as neck. Browlift/subcutaneous done.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

SMAS fixation near the temporalis fascia causes discomfort when eating or moving your lower jaw for up to a few weeks. This is normal and expected.

	Here are some general comments that would include the rest of your concerns:

	Everyone wants an immediate result - including surgeons! Unfortunately this just isn't how we heal.three weeks  is just too early to tell. There are many predictable portions of the healing process that ALL PATIENTS EXPERIENCE. Although both doctor and patients would like to not have this happen, it is part of the healing process.  Massage can some times be of benefit during this time period These Side effects refer to what you will be experiencing from the facelift healing process: Here are some of the common things you will experience. The common side effects include: swelling which is maximum 2-3 days later, bruising (highly variable), numbness which takes several months to resolve,  tightness takes several days to months to resolve, discomfort chewing (technique dependent), discomfort (generally mild with this surgery, nausea (variable) and in some patients emotional lability in some. Although most of the visible edema resolves in 2-3 weeks in mini-lifts and 3-4 weeks in traditional facelift approaches, residual firmness (edema you feel but don’t see) can linger for several months. Skin suppleness also takes a while to return as does scar maturation. I tell my patients it takes up to a year for final resolution of the healing process. In my experience, the above rough time table is usually delayed in smokers, when multiple procedures are performed together and when resurfacing procedures are done at the same time as the lift. The same is true if complications occur such as infection, hematoma, skin loss or compromise, etc.  Facelifts and all surgical procedures for that matter share several possible complications - such as excessive bruising or bleeding (e.g. hematoma), injury to deeper structures, anesthetic complications and so on

Matthew Richardson, MD · Answer

Some tightness is to be expected after a facelift procedure. That being said, it generally should not cause issues with talking or eating, and should not cause deep depressions in the skin. Based on the question, it is possible that the underlying Bell's palsy is also contributing. Be sure to discuss any post-operative concerns with the surgeon who performed the procedure.
All the best,

Mike Majmundar, MD · Answer

Asymmetry after a facelift for the first few days is normal.  Around 2 weeks, most individuals begin to form collagen lumps in front of the ears, below the jaw, and below the chin.  These are normal and can persist for the first 6-8 weeks though they are usually felt and not seen.  The tightness generally subsides over the first 3 weeks after surgery and normal speech should be possible during the first day after surgery.  I would work closely with your plastic surgeon to make sure you are healing according to timeline he discussed with you prior to your surgery.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

In general, at 3 weeks following facelift, talking and eating should not be difficult.  However, method of fixation will influence this.  Hopefully, the pulled areas of the jowls will relax.  Dents at three weeks may well resolve as tissues relax and scar softens and swelling continues to decrease.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Carlo Honrado, MD, FACS · Answer

It is normal to have some tightness after SMAS lift surgery, although the tightness you have seems to be a bit different. The Bell's palsy may be contributing to your recovery. I would certainly suggest following up with your physician closely to ensure that you are healing as planned.

Should Jaw & Lower Mouth Pull So Much That Talking and Eating is Difficult After SMAS Face? (Photos)

Answers (8)

Answer: Should Jaw & Lower Mouth Pull So Much That Talking and Eating is Difficult After SMAS Face?

Answer: Should Jaw & Lower Mouth Pull So Much That Talking and Eating is Difficult After SMAS Face?

Answer: Tightness After SMAS Surgery

Answer: Tightness After SMAS Surgery

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Should Jaw & Lower Mouth Pull So Much That Talking and Eating is Difficult After SMAS Face? (Photos)

Answers (8)

Answer: Should Jaw & Lower Mouth Pull So Much That Talking and Eating is Difficult After SMAS Face?

Answer: Should Jaw & Lower Mouth Pull So Much That Talking and Eating is Difficult After SMAS Face?

Answer: Tightness After SMAS Surgery

Answer: Tightness After SMAS Surgery

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Everything you need to know about SMAS Facelift

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