I had a Facelift three weeks ago, one side is more lax than the other. Will a lax place on my face tighten after a face lift?

Three weeks after a facelift some asymmetry is not uncommon. Without pictures it's impossible to comment on your particular situation. Sometimes the side it appears tighter actually has more swelling. In any event you should heal completely before passing judgment on the operation. This will be several months.

It is 100% normal to have "uneven" swelling and tissue tone differences after a facelift.  The side that feels more full and tight is most likely the side that has more swelling (even from the first post-op day). No two sides are going to have the same amount of swelling, nor resolve at the same rate. I would suggest to give it some time (ie a month) before worrying about it. Certainly you could have been pulled unevenly, but it is still much more likely that your swelling is just asymmetric. Hang in there and be patient if you can.

The two sides of the face will heal differently after a facelift but the overall results will be similar. Try not to be overly concerned about the differences between sides, as if you were to examine your preoperative pictures, you will see that the two sides of your face are naturally asymmetrical and that you will pay attention to that more after the procedure. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and I am sure they will be happy to show you your before and after pictures to demonstrate the improvement in results. 

At three weeks post-op, you are most likely still
experiencing swelling. Asymmetric swelling is perfectly normal and expected
after a facelift. As for your mole, it really depends on where exactly it’s
located to determine if it should have moved or not. Most facelifts only
address the lower face, so if your mole is in an area that was not tightened,
then it wouldn’t have moved. If, however, it is located in an area that was
pulled, it should have moved a bit. Without seeing you in person with a
“before” photo, it’s impossible to tell if your mole should have moved. I would
be patient and wait another few months, and if you’re still unhappy with your
results, visit your surgeon for a follow-up to discuss possible revision.

I
understand your concerns about uneven results, but what you're seeing is a
natural part of the healing process. Many seemingly inane factors can affect
the amount of swelling, such as which side of the face you sleep on. It's
difficult to comment on the placement of your mole without seeing it in person,
but similarly, I would give your face more time to heal before worrying.

Of
course, you should always keep your surgeon apprised of any concerns you may
have, so that he or she can examine any areas you may be worried about in more
detail. But what you're experiencing sounds perfectly normal, and you may need
to wait a couple months before seeing your postoperative results without any
residual swelling. Thank you, and best of luck.

The two sides of the face often heal at different rates and patients are still often experiencing swelling at 3 weeks. Try not to evaluate the results of your surgery too soon and give things a little more time to settle out.  Discuss your concerns with your surgeon -- he or she is likely just as interesting in you getting a great result as you are.  Good luck!

It is hard to judge without a pre and post op picture to evaluate. In general the two sides of a face are often different. Some of this difference should be corrected at the time of surgery. You are only 3 weeks out and it is common to still have swelling that can make one side look different. Be sure to stay in contact with your surgeon. Best of LuckDr. JA. Dean Jabs M.D. Ph.D. FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Hi Littletreesprite,Thanks for your question. Having some asymmetry within the first few months after facelift is not too unusual. Be sure to communicate your concerns to your surgeon about your concerns.Good luck!

You are still early in your recovery phase and the side that looks better and feels more pulled may have more swelling.  Without seeing your picture and exactly where the mole is located it's hard to say if that side is more lax.  Facelift addresses more lateral parts of the face, the more medial or midline the structure the less effect or pull is being exerted on that structure.  Asymmetric swelling and sensation of tightness is not uncommon after facelift surgery and only time will tell.  I give it at least 3 months post-op to make a better judgment call.

It's really hard to comment without seeing before and after photos. It is not unusual for one side to have a little differently than the other. I'm sure your surgeon wants you to be happy with the results so you should dicuss your concerns at your next visit.