Lateral sweep or just swelling? Distinct/line indent. No change over last week, but only 3.5 weeks post facelift. (photos)

Hi. Thanks for posting your questions and photos.
It is not uncommon to have some skin and contour irregularities in the first few months after a facelift. There is frequently uneven tension levels on different parts of the skin closure, and also in the deeper layers of the face, where tightening sutures may have been placed.
This should settle in time, as the tissue softens.
All the very best.
Dr Ray Goh

This is commonly seen in facial rejuvenation surgery when the surgeon has either overdone the skin undermining or had too much skin tension or superior skin shifting in the cheek without correction of the deep SMAS layers .  This is also seen more frequently in patients that have not had fat augmentation with the Facelift surgery.  The key is to find a true facelift expert who understands the science of facial aging and does this procedure frequently and can show you exceptional results and has expertise in this area by teaching others and publishing on this topic.  Make sure they are a board certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon.

Most likely this will resolve, ask your surgeon whether she recommends massaging the area or applying any warm or cold compress to the area to help it resolve quickergive it another few months and then see what it does- and follow your surgeons suggestions

Thank you for the question. These bands are likely related to swelling/edema and usually resolve as the healing continues. They may go on and become indurated and form bands of scar tissue under the skin. Your surgeon may initiate lymphatic massage and sometimes steroid injection to soften them up. Specific management plan is made by your surgeon on a case by case basis.  It's important that you see your surgeon frequently. Best!Pej Aflaki, M.D.Johns Hopkins-trained plastic surgeon

Thank you for your photos. Congratulations on your recent procedure. Everyones healing process is different and it is best to be patient at this time. The lines that you notice could be related to initial healing bands.  These consist of fat and skin tissue.  These can take months to resolve completely.  In a worst case scenario for the future, you may need injection of some sort to speed healing or to soften/fill them.  I wouldn't lose sleep over that now because you will most likely heal just fine with time.  I would recommend you speak directly with your surgeon in regards to any concerns. Have a great day!

It is very common for facelift patients to expect to see a final result at 3-4 weeks.  However, the reality is that swelling, in any well performed facelift, is still present at this time.  Allow yourself more time to heal and bring these concerns up with your Surgeon. 

Patients with questions and concerns about their healing process should contact the plastic surgeon the performed the operation for advice. 

Thank you for your question and for providing the photos.
Contour irregularities are very common in the first month or so after facelifting surgery. I am sure it will settle with time. Keep in regular contact with your plastic surgeon to ensure that they are aware of your progress.

The answer is a resounding NOT. You should fully expect the tension lines to resolve as your face heals and softens. The tightness may continue unabated until about six weeks post-Procedure and then will begin to loosen and lose it's attachments to the deep structures. The science is that all early scars heal as a single unit and it is only with time that the normal anatomic structures begin to separate. Gentle massage can help the process along that takes six weeks to three or four months to complete.

Its very common to have some contour irregularity in the cheeks in the early post operative healing period after a facelift.  The underlying tissue can have areas of firmness and swelling which will smooth out and soften over time as you heal.  From your photos, you still have significant swelling and can expect to see improvements as the this resolves and the puckering and indentations will also naturalize as the skin and tissue heals.  Everyone heals at a different rate, and significant changes occur in the first few months after surgery. For most people it can take 6-12 months before all the healing is complete.  Sometimes message and steroid injections can help, but that you need to discuss this with your surgeon.