My face has changed so much after facelift, I can't recognize myself

Question

Hello, I am a 43 yo female and I had a full facelift including forehead lift, fat graft and a rhinoplasty. I am about 4 weeks post op but my old face is completely gone and I find my own face odd and strange. I don't recognize myself. I still do have a lot of numbness and swelling especially around the lower face and cheek area. Am I stuck with my strange new face or will my old face soon return? I am depressed because I liked my old face except the sagging jaw line. Thank you!

Mark Karolak, DO, FAOCO · Answer

Although most of the healing after all of the procedures you had takes a few weeks, there is still some amount of swelling and healing that will take a few more months. I tend not to critique my work until after 3 months. If you have concerns about your healing process, your surgeon should be able to reassure you. Your facelift, brow lift, and fat transfer will restore a youthful appearance. The rhinoplasty, depending on the goals of treatment that you discussed with your surgeon, will most often change your appearance. Give it time... you still have some healing to go.

Carlos L. Wolf, MD · Answer

You're still very swollen and over the next several months you will continue to get better. You will likely recognize yourself as you get used to your new look. My first question would be, why would a 43-year-old person need a facelift?. That being said, I do believe that as the swelling goes down you will get to a better place and you should feel better. I will talk to your doctor to determine  what his expectations are as far as you getting back to a normal looking face.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

#Recovery time varies from person to person, but patients can generally expect to be presentable within three weeks from surgery. 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.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). For example, the marks from a facelift can easily hidden with “camouflage” make-up which you can learn how to apply.Also, 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 procedure(s) 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.

Robert F. Centeno, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. I am sorry that you are having a tough recovery.  Combining a browlift, facelift and rhinoplasty can lead to significant swelling after surgery and changes in your appearance.  I would give yourself another month or two for the swelling to go down further.  You will look more like yourself as time progresses.  Discuss your specific concerns with your surgeon.  Best wishes on your recovery.

Andrew Campbell, MD · Answer

I would recommend that you discuss your concerns with your surgeon. Rejuvenation surgery should make you look refreshed, not "different". It should make you look like you did in the past when you were younger. However, a rhinoplasty will make you look "different" since it is changing your nose into a shape that you never had.Realize that at 4 weeks you are still swollen, and fat grafting can add to that swollen look. It usually takes 3-4 months for all of the swelling to go away. Hopefully things will look more and more like "you" as time goes on.Andrew Campbell, M.D.Facial Plastic SpecialistQuintessa

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

At this point there is still is some swelling that'll go down with time.However, there is a possibility that fat grafting will make changes in the face which can be permanent.The best option is to wait for at least 1 year for all the swelling and the changes that will happen from scar formation and healing process to finish before you embark upon any kind of revision surgery.  If you continue to feel depressed make sure you get some professional help at this time.RegardsDr. J

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

You have a lot of things done which are going to affect your appearance.   The facelift is going to help with the jowls and tighten up the jawline.  The rhinoplasty is going to change your overall look more if you had a major change in the shape of your nose.  And the fat may still be causing some prolonged edema which can make you look quite different.  You are still very early in the healing process so give things time to settle.  As the swelling goes down you should start to look more like your old self, but younger.

Ernest Robinson, MD · Answer

At 43 years old you are very young to have had so many procedure, including a full facelift, forehead lift, fat grafts and rhinoplasty.  After this I would expect that would look different too.Regardless at 4 weeks post op you are experiencing swelling, healing and surgical changes.With time your face will become more you.  Be patient, occasionally looking at the before pictures so you may understand  where you were at.I don't understand why you continued with these surgeries if you say " I liked my old face except the sagging jaw line".

Anne Taylor, MD · Answer

Hello!It sounds like you did have an extensive operation, and there will be a significant change, but it is too early in the post-operative period to make a judgement. The swelling lasts for many weeks and even months.  You should discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon.  She knows you best and what type of facelift you had-- and can answer your questions.Good luck

Jeffrey Antimarino, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry.You have recently had a significant amount of surgery at one time.   Even though you are 4 weeks post-op it can take some patients 6-8 weeks for swelling to settle down.    Fat grafting may take even longer.  I recommend you sit with your plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns so that they are going through this with you.   And, as much as you can, try to be patient.  I believe most of your concerns will improve with further healing.I hope this helps.

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