My Ear Canals Feel Weird After Surgery, Will This Go Away?

Question

One month after facelift/ neck lift surgery my ears are very uncomfortable. My right ear is worse the tragus (sp?) is tight sort of pushed in a bit. I have to open it to even get a q-tip in that ear canal. My inner ears feel like they are being tugged on. From my ear to my jaw line is very hard and tight, will that go away. I am not seeing the results of a defined jaw line that I wanted. Is it too soon? Also is it normal for my outer ears to feel numb and hurt when they touch a pillow?

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

healing after these procedures sometimes takes a while.

	swelling around the canal may occur with tightening of the smas layer and sometimes feels as though the ears are plugged.

	this will improve with time

Paul Lanfranchi, DO, FAOCOO · Answer

The tragus is an area that can be effected from a standard facelift.  The tragus can have thick scar tissue, or it can have tension and distortion from the skin being pulled to tight.  In addition, it can still have mild residual swelling if the procedure was only one month ago.  Based on your time from procedure, you probably don't have thick scar tissue leaving you with the possibility of the skin being pulled too tight or having mild swelling.  Both of these should resolve over the next month or so.  Obviously check in with our surgeon to keep an eye on your progress.  Regards, Dr. Lanfranchi, Las Vegas.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The ear canals should be examined.  With regard to the other concerns, this may be technique related and could be expected to improve.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

You are in the early stages of healing. The tightness wil relax and the jawline will slowly improve as the swelling resolves The tragal incision to the ear can alter the shape and other issues can arrise. However, it sounds like you are doing well for a month.

David Stoker, MD · Answer

It is common for sensory changes to occur around the ears following a face lift. Usually those changes improve with time.

My Ear Canals Feel Weird After Surgery, Will This Go Away?

Answers (5)