One Month After Face Lift - I Have Puffy, Loose Skin Around my Mouth - Should I Worry?

Question

I had a full face and neck lift one month ago. I saw my surgeon today and asked him about the puffy loose skin around one side of my mouth. The other side of my face is smooth and tighter. I was hoping he would say it is just swelling that will eventually flatten out, but he was unsure. He mentioned that the area around the mouth is not lifted in a face lift. Now I am worried that this area will end up being saggy.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Swelling can take up to a year to subside after a facelift. During this time, you should wait before evaluating your results. Best of luck.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

First and foremost, its best to remain patient. It is still early in to your recovery. The healing process in general can take up to one month for the majority of swelling to subside, incisions to close, sutures to come out, and for bruising to completely go away. #Recovery time from a #facelift varies from person to person, but patients can generally expect to be presentable within three weeks from surgery. Patients should expect swelling, bruising, and discoloration of the skin during this phase of recovery (swelling normally goes down after 48 hours; most bruising will go away within two weeks). The marks from a facelift can easily hidden with “camouflage” make-up which you can learn how to apply.The scars from a facelift mature within six to twelve months from the surgery date. It is during this time that the rejuvenating effects of the facelift will become apparent and the real result will be seen. 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.

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

1 month is still relatively early in healing process after your surgery.  There is still swelling and changes that will occur.  It is possible that you may need volume (fat or fillers) or laser resurfacing around the mouth.  Be patient and continue to follow up with your surgeon as directed.

Rod J. Rohrich, MD · Answer

Perioral aging is not corrected with just a facelift alone and that is why one needs to perform total facial rejuvenation which is a correction of the frown lines with the combination of deep fat facial compartment refilling with resurfacing and/or plumping of the lips usually with a hyaluronic acid filler. It is truly a multi-modal combination therapy to blend facial rejuvenation with the perioral rejuvenation. These are distinctly different operative procedures which should be done and explained to the patient that way.

Lawrence Kass, MD · Answer

Your surgeon was certainly being honest with you.  However, I would have added that it is way yoo soon to know what the final results will be and that one side always seems to heal at a different rate than the other.  I would relax about this for now and give it six months to heal and then re-evaluate with your surgeon.

One Month After Face Lift - I Have Puffy, Loose Skin Around my Mouth - Should I Worry?

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Answer: Loose Skin Around Mouth & Lips After a Facelift

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Answer: Puffy skin 1 month after facelift

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One Month After Face Lift - I Have Puffy, Loose Skin Around my Mouth - Should I Worry?

Answers (7)

Answer: Loose Skin Around Mouth & Lips After a Facelift

Answer: Loose Skin Around Mouth & Lips After a Facelift

Answer: Puffy skin 1 month after facelift

Answer: Puffy skin 1 month after facelift

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Facelift

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