I had a SMAS & neck lift for turkey neck on November 5, 2014. One ear lobe is still numb with tingling up the outside of my ear at touch. Also, I still don't have a defined jaw line, still a little swollen from mid-jawline up to ear & I don't have a turkey neck now, but it looks like I have a double chin which I never had before. It still all feels swollen in that area. Not hugely swollen but not the smooth defined look I was expecting. I'm 65 yrs old. Is it the way I'm healing? Is it doctor's technique?
May 21, 2015
Answer: Numb Ear Having one sided (or both) temporary paresthesia (numbness) of the earlobe is very common after any facelift. This occurs from having the skin cut and/or having the larger nerve that gives sensation to the earlobe (the Great Auricular Nerve) irritated during a facelift. As a general statement, well over 90% of patients get their sensation back to a point where it is not bothersome by one year post-procedure. A small percentage may have lifelong numbness that is permanent, but is usually not an issue. As far as overall result is concerned, you truly need to wait at least until you reach the 9 month (preferably 12 month) post-operative mark before fully evaluating your result. If you have some concerns, I would visit you surgeon and have him take some photos now to document and track your progress. I would recommend another set of pictures in 3 months for comparison (and even another set 3 months after that). Unless something is terribly wrong (which it certainly does not seem to be the case for you), I would wait a full year before deciding with your surgeon if you are a candidate for a revision.
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May 21, 2015
Answer: Numb Ear Having one sided (or both) temporary paresthesia (numbness) of the earlobe is very common after any facelift. This occurs from having the skin cut and/or having the larger nerve that gives sensation to the earlobe (the Great Auricular Nerve) irritated during a facelift. As a general statement, well over 90% of patients get their sensation back to a point where it is not bothersome by one year post-procedure. A small percentage may have lifelong numbness that is permanent, but is usually not an issue. As far as overall result is concerned, you truly need to wait at least until you reach the 9 month (preferably 12 month) post-operative mark before fully evaluating your result. If you have some concerns, I would visit you surgeon and have him take some photos now to document and track your progress. I would recommend another set of pictures in 3 months for comparison (and even another set 3 months after that). Unless something is terribly wrong (which it certainly does not seem to be the case for you), I would wait a full year before deciding with your surgeon if you are a candidate for a revision.
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June 15, 2015
Answer: Numbness of the earlobe 6 months after facelift The sensation to a large area of the lower earlobe and the surrounding cheek is supplied by the greater auricular nerve. The nerve is very close to surface of the skin that is elevated during facelift surgery. When the tissues are tightened over the nerve, it can cause swelling of the nerve which causes the numbness and eventual tingling as it wakes back up. The return of the sensation of the nerve varies in each patient depending on the thickness of the tissues, number of sutures, amount of swelling and even the technique used to tighten the tissues. The sensation returns with time, in everyone. Even if the nerve is cut, the sensation all returns except for a small circle around the earlobe.Swelling along the jawline or under the chin after facelift surgery can be due to organized fluid that collected after the surgery, residual fatty soft tissue, or early relaxation of the skin due to elasticity issues. These can be addressed with your surgeon and can often be resolved with time or simple office procedures. John Standefer MD
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June 15, 2015
Answer: Numbness of the earlobe 6 months after facelift The sensation to a large area of the lower earlobe and the surrounding cheek is supplied by the greater auricular nerve. The nerve is very close to surface of the skin that is elevated during facelift surgery. When the tissues are tightened over the nerve, it can cause swelling of the nerve which causes the numbness and eventual tingling as it wakes back up. The return of the sensation of the nerve varies in each patient depending on the thickness of the tissues, number of sutures, amount of swelling and even the technique used to tighten the tissues. The sensation returns with time, in everyone. Even if the nerve is cut, the sensation all returns except for a small circle around the earlobe.Swelling along the jawline or under the chin after facelift surgery can be due to organized fluid that collected after the surgery, residual fatty soft tissue, or early relaxation of the skin due to elasticity issues. These can be addressed with your surgeon and can often be resolved with time or simple office procedures. John Standefer MD
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