6 weeks post facelift surgery and the scars behind my left ear are bleeding. What should I do? (Photo)

Hello.  Your scars do seem more red and wide than ideal at 6 weeks.  Though this looks concerning, it still a bit too early to intervene.  I recommend continued watchful waiting.  If it's bleeding, there may be a suture that's extruding.  That can be trimmed in office and then keep the wound covered with ointment.  I normally recommend one keep regular follow ups with their surgeon since this is a major surgery, and postoperative visits with your surgeon is important to achieving a great outcome.  However, that will be hard since your surgeon is out of state.  You may ask if he can access Realself to view these photos.  Another idea is to ask your surgeon if he has a colleague in your area that he can send you to for help.  Finally, it's helpful to keep in mind that just being patient is a good option as these scars will continue to improve with time.  Scar revisions can improve unsightly scars in future. Good luck.

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 will speed resolution of this problem, which normally takes 2-4 months to disappear completely. 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.

It is hard for me to comment based on your
photographs however your incisions do look a little wide. Unfortunately, when
someone seeks surgery from a physician out of state there is a challenge in
caring for them accurately in the post-operative period. I would definitely
follow up with your surgeon to determine if you’re healing correctly. Most
reputable surgeons want their patients to follow up with them so that they can
give an accurate exam. It is normal for early post-operative incisions to be
red and slightly wider but it is not necessarily normal to have bleeding from
the incision area once the patient is out a week or so from surgery. So I would
definitely make visiting your surgeon a priority to make sure everything is
okay.

Your scars are red at this pint, but I can almost assure you the scars will prove over the next few months without treatment.  If they are still bad after six months, consider a revision.

Thank you for your question. Consult with a local Plastic Surgeon. You may have a spitting suture that will need to be removed.  Betst Wishes.

After 6 weeks your incisions should not be bleeding. It is a shame that your surgeon is out of state, as a result I highly recommend speaking to a surgeon in your local area so he can have a closer inspection and help resolve the issue as soon as possible

Thank you for your question.  Patients who have drainage or bleeding behind the ears often have healing delay.  This may be due to a number of factors.  It would be best to be examined by a local plastic surgeon to determine if any treatment is required.  Your doctor can call a colleague in your area to see you in his/her behalf.  Perhaps give your doctor a call and have him or her arrange this.  There is often reciprocity among board-certified plastic surgeons so that only a limited office visit fee may apply.

Your photos at 5 weeks appear to have intact scars without any breakdown. At six weeks, there appears to be a localized area of breakdown of the incision. I'm wondering what's causing the localized breakdown. Sometimes a buried internal suture might start to work its way out of the skin causing skin breakdown. I'd ask your original surgeon about this.

It is not normal for facelift incisions to bleed 6 weeks after surgery.  On review your pictures, it appears you are developing hypertrophic or keloid scars.  These need to be treated to ensure you have the best results.In my practice, I would recommend a series of injections with 5-fluorouraci to prevent worsening of your scars and possible last at a later date.If you are bleeding in that area, you need an in person examinationI hope this helps.  

6 weeks after surgery is not a normal time for incisions to start bleeding. By looking at the pictures it might be possible that you are having some incision line breakdown or the beginning of hypertrophic scars. I strongly recommend that you visit your original doctor and in the case that you can't travel, then look for a local doctor or go to an urgent care facility.It is also your shared responsibility to seek your physician for help. Before surgery you knew the distance that you would have to travel for follow up and if complications arise, so do not utilize distance as an objection to seek his help or to allow him to help you. Hope you get better,Dr. Gus Diaz