Why at almost 6 months post-op do I still have numb ear lobe?

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.

Earlobes are innervated by a nerve that can sometimes get stunned, or even cut during a facelift.  Most of then the sensation comes back, and it can take months.  It is also possible that sensation may not come back at all.  Speak to your plastic surgeon.

Thank

you for submitting your question.  Final results will take 6-12 months. Numbness can occur secondary suturing around the great auricular nerve.  It can take several weeks or even a year for sensation to come back.  This will improve over time. Discuss your
concerns with your surgeon. Best Wishes

Thank you for your questions.Most people understand the well-positioned and partially hidden scar around the ear after a #facelift.  It is therefore quite plausible that some fine nerves get cut or stretched or 'bruised' after any surgery.  There is also a larger nerve, the Great Auricular nerve, that can be compressed, bruised or swollen after surgery.  This can be exacerbated when liposuction is performed, a common procedure when doing Facelift and Necklift surgery.The good news is that it is strictly sensory (not motor so no facial expression asymmetry) and 90% of those will recover over 6-12 months.So continue to be patient as you are only at the half-year mark, or so.Hope this was helpful.DrMarcDuPere, Toronto Royal College Board-Certified
plastic surgeon

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

Thanks for your post. Sensory changes to the earlobe after facelifting that includes elevating the skin in the lower neck area can injure nerves running to the earlobe area. Nerve healing is very unpredictable in this setting. It's very hard to know, but I would say that it is still possible that you might get some return of that function. It may be 6 more months to a year or more though.Regarding your chin, you might consider the newly FDA-approved injectable drug, Kybella. It will hopefully be out for use later this year.

The post auricular nerve which supplies then ear lobe is often injured during a facelift. Recovery can take a year or longer but if not recovered by two years may be permanent.See your surgeon for an opinioin about jaw line issues a double chin. A simple revision may be possible.