Ripples on my left cheek? (Photo)

Question

Today marks Week 2 since my lower facelift and neck lift. The swelling has gone down significantly in two weeks, but as the swelling went down, these ridges have surfaced. My surgeon said I need to wait for the skin to re-attach itself. Does that sound right?

Raymond E. Lee, MD · Answer

Minor lumps and bumps can be normal during the healing phase. There is swelling in the skin that can take a few weeks to resolve after they appear.  Your surgeon may suggest finger tip massage and or warm compresses or ultrasound.  At times steroid injections into this area helps.  Your surgeon will help to guide you to make the swelling subside.  This should resolve.

Konstantin Vasyukevich, MD · Answer

No worries.  This ridge (or ripple) across the cheek is very common after a facelift.  This would go away with time.  Unfortunately, since the rate of healing significantly varies from patient to patient, it is always difficult to tell how quickly this would smooth out.  In my experience,  this type of ridge looks most prominent a week after a facelift and then slowly disappear within the next 3-4 weeks.
Best wishes!
Dr. Konstantin

Amir Nakhdjevani, MBBS, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question and picture.  Healing time will vary from patient to patient after 3-6 months some patients may still have residual swelling.  Ask you surgeon what his protocol is, massaging to soften the scar tissue maybe an option.  Please make sure you have regular follow ups with your surgeon.  All The Best

Dilip D. Madnani, MD, FACS · Answer

You need to trust your surgeon and the process. Healing times vary between patients and at two weeks, you are super early. Give it time, it will settle down and in about 6m , about 90% of the lumps and bumps will have gone with the remaining 10% healing to occur over the next 6m.

Michael J. Yoo, MD · Answer

thanks for posting.
It's not uncommon during the first few weeks to notice ridges, bumps, lumps after a facelift.  This can be swelling, suture material under the skin, etc. and generally tends to go away with time.
Be sure to followup closely with your plastic surgeon
Best wishes.

Talon Maningas, DO · Answer

Thanks for your question. At the 2-3 week mark it is very common to experience "lumps and bumps" after surgery. The vast majority of these resolve with time alone. I would voice your concerns to your surgeon and follow up for an evaluation. Massaging techniques may be appropriate however not necessary. Rest assured this will likely resolve with minimal to no intervention.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

It is not unusual to experience "lumps and bumps" for a few weeks following a facelift.  You may be feeling sutures supporting the underlying structure of the face.  Also, at this time you are experiencing swelling and you are healing from surgery.  The majority of these issues resolve itself.  Follow up with your plastic surgeon so he can monitor your progress.

Ripples on my left cheek? (Photo)

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