Could dry mouth be a result of neck lift/facelift?

Question

Ever since my surgery 4 months ago the inside of my lips have felt strange and dry. Could there be a connection?

Justin C. Cohen, MD, FACS · Answer

Anything is possible but it is unlikely to be directly related to your surgery. Rarely, the submandibular glands or digastric muscles are resected which could play a role but this would be better discussed with your surgeon.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

One of the signs of aging is decreased salivary production.  Unless there was extensive injury to the parotid gland(s), the major producers of serous saliva, there is really no mechanism by which this should happen with a facelift.  The submandibular glands, which some Surgeons advocate removal of during a facelift, are producers of a combination of serous and mucinous saliva.  Removal of these glands is not associated with dry mouth.

Sanjay "Jay" Keni, MD · Answer

Hi Teenarocks1,Sorry to hear of your frustrations!  This question would be better addressed to your surgeon.  In very rare cases, a surgeon may remove the submandibular salivary glands during the necklift portion of the procedure, or there may be stretch injury to the ‘mental nerves’ that innervate the lips for sensation.I don’t think either of these things necessarily happened in your procedure, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask your surgeon.Best wishes on your continued healing,Dr. Jay

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Although dry mouth is not likely to be connected in any way to your facelift procedure, my advice is to consult with your plastic surgeon since the condition started at the time of your procedure.  Best of luck.

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.It is highly unlikely that the two are related. A facelift is working with skin and muscle, it does not change anything inside the mouth.

Robert W. Sheffield, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. I would like to review your medical case history in detail to rule out any concurrent disorders that might have caused your dryness of mouth. As far as a neck lift or a facelift surgery is concerned, on very rare occasions, when it results in substantial injury to parotid glands or a major portion of the digastric muscle is resected, it can cause reduction in secretion of serous saliva, hence dryness of mouth. Other than this rare occurrence of injury to salivary glands, a neck lift or a facelift procedure should not cause dryness of mouth. I would recommend you to visit your doctor and have a detailed personalized evaluation for your concerns.I hope this helps. Best wishes

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Dry  mouth can occur as a natural process as we age, but if your surgeon removed a submandibular salivary gland or part of it, this can contribute to dry mouth.

Craig R. Dufresne, MD · Answer

Dear teenarocks1,
Thank you for your question. Unlikely unless the submandibular salivary glands were removed during surgery.

Jeffrey Thaxton, MD FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  I cannot think of a mechanism for a face lift to cause a dry mouth problem but I suppose you could get some altered sensation to lips that might make you feel like your mouth is more dry but even this seems very unlikely.  I would suggest a follow up with your plastic surgeon to discuss the issue and if an explanation cannot be obtained then maybe see your dentist or primary care provider to see if another explanation might be found.  It may be coincidental that another problem that could be causing a dry mouth symptom started around the time of your face lift.Jeffrey Thaxton, MD FACSCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

It is highly unlikely that dry mouth is related to your surgery.  Follow up with your plastic surgeon in the event testing is needed.

Could dry mouth be a result of neck lift/facelift?

Answers (10)

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