Hard ridge on cheek 3.5 weeks after facelift/neck. Do these go away? Do I need more surgery? (Photo)

Question

56 year old male. Face still numb from cheekbones down to and under the neck along with this ridge on my face. Sort of wish I hadn't had the procedure! I know my doc will just say it's normal on the next post-op. Do I just walk around looking like I've had a Facelift for several months due to this ridge? Just need another opinion. Thank you!

Bryson G. Richards, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photo and question.Seems like you are rather frustrated with the way things are going after your facelift surgery, only 3.5 weeks ago. Let me reassure to you, your complaints are normal. Scar tissue formation under the facial flaps PEAKS AT 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, the harder scar tissue will REMODEL and soften over the following 3 months. Your incisions look very well healed from the pictures.I hope this helps.- Dr. Bryson G. Richards, MD

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

The concerns you are describing appear to be part of the normal healing process after a traditional facelift.  I would suggest continued communication with your surgeon and his/her clinical team.  Exercise should be avoided in your first month of healing. Be  prepared for your scars to be red for the first month, after which they will  fade until they reach their final lightness in about a year. The tissues  themselves should be completely healed in about six months

Frank P. Fechner, MD · Answer

Numbness certainly is to be expected at such an early stage in your overall healing. The hard ridge is difficult to assess from your photo but may represent normal swelling. Definitely discuss in detail with your surgeon but remember, you are not even close to the final outcome.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

I didn't see a photo, but swelling is expected for several weeks after a facelift.  However, a discernible ridge is unexpected and should be inspected by your own surgeon.

David A. Caplin, MD · Answer

This is all very normal.  Try to find a local massage therapist who knows how to perform Lymphatic Drainage.  That can be very helpful in accelerating the healing process.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

You appear to be healing pretty well at just 3.5 weeks. Numbness is completely normal for several weeks to months post-op.  Some patients will get these firm areas post-op which is often some excess swelling or inflammation in one area.  I usually recommend some warm compresses and massage over the area.  It should soften with time and blend in with the surrounding tissue.

Parker A. Velargo, MD, FACS · Answer

Parts of the face, neck, ears and scalp sometimes feel weak or “numb” 
after the face lift operation. This is to be expected and is usually 
temporary as the tiny nerves that provide sensation begin to grow back 
together. It may take several weeks or, on rare occasions, months for 
this to subside.  I warn patients to expect numbness, 
lumps and bumps and pink firm incision lines for a good while after a 
face lift. It subsides quicker in some people than in others, but it is 
normal and expected.  The photo is not of great quality, so I'm not seeing the ridge on your cheek.  However, I would definitely pop in to see your surgeon for an in-person examination.  More than likely it's just swelling that will subside.  It could be other things though, which is why it's best to go in. As a rule, following any facial surgery (or even trauma), 80% of 
swelling is generally gone by 2 weeks and 90% of swelling is generally 
gone by 2 months.  The remaining 10% of your swelling gradually resolves
 over the remaining 10 months, which is why many doctors will tell you 
that it takes up to one year for post-operative swelling to resolve.

Robert J. Spies, MD · Answer

I would have to say that the majority of questions I encounter on RealSelf.com are from people who have had recent surgery and worry about results well before they have healed.  Three and a half weeks is minimal time when considering healing from a facelift.  Everybody gets numbness.  That seems to resolve over 6 to 12 months.  The ridge is something I cannot comment unless I see your operative report as to what type of lift you have had.  I agree with Dr Echevaz in that all of your concerns should get better over time.  Give it six months at least.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

3.5 weeks is still fairly early after a facelift, so there is still a great deal of healing to occur.  It is not uncommon to have some numbness still at this point and firmness of certain areas is possible as well.  Normally these issues improve over time.  Examining you would be helpful to determine if the ridge on your cheek is within normal or not.  I would mention this issue to your surgeon so that it can be evaluated.  Be assured, with more time, things will improve.

Heather J. Furnas, MD · Answer

It is common to get firm areas that take time to soften after a facelift. (It's difficult to tell form the photo where the ridge is.) You should see your plastic surgeon and ask if there is anything he/she can suggest to help the hardness soften, such as massage.You are not alone in experiencing a low point after surgery and wondering why you ever had it done, especially while you're waiting to heal. When your scars soften, say six months from now, make sure to look at your before and after photos to remind yourself why you had surgery!Good luck.

Hard ridge on cheek 3.5 weeks after facelift/neck. Do these go away? Do I need more surgery? (Photo)

Answers (12)

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