I am 2 months post surgery and I have a gland that is enlarged on my left side. Should I be concerned?

Question

I have felt this from the very beginning of my recovery. At first I thought it needed draining but my doctor didn't agree. Now she wants to give me a steroid shot and I didn't agree to that. Will this ever shrink on its own. I almost thought it was starting to but a few days ago it swelled up again. That side is still very numb.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Generally speaking, it can take 6-12 months to completely heal after any plastic surgery procedure.  Please keep in touch with your surgeon or his/her clinical staff to discuss your concerns.

Todd C. Miller, MD · Answer

This is a difficult question to answer. First, I am not sure what type of surgery that you had. I am assuming that you had a facelift. Second, without pictures it is difficult to determine what needs to be done. Occasionally, patient's will have sagging submandibular glands which can be un-masked following a facelift. If this is the case, draining it will not be useful. It is unlikely that a fluid collection would develop two months after surgery. I would be compliant with your surgeons instructions.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

It is very common for normal submaxillary glands to become more prominent after a neck lift or neck and facelift is done.   Please ask your surgeon the cause of the lump.  If the surgeon believes that it is a fibrous scar or a fibrosed hematoma then steroid injection may help. If it is not a fluid accumulation such as a hematoma and the Dr. feels it is a normal gland then I would not inject steroids into it.  If it is a normal neck gland it is likely permanent.

I am 2 months post surgery and I have a gland that is enlarged on my left side. Should I be concerned?

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I am 2 months post surgery and I have a gland that is enlarged on my left side. Should I be concerned?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Neck Lift

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