I had a face and neck lift 1 week PO. Since the procedure, I have had difficulty breathing at night. Will it get better? (photo)

Question

I now have severe sleep apnea. It was so distressing, I bought a used cpap machine, which has allowed me to sleep. My question is whether this is caused by swelling and muscle tightening, and whether it will go away.

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. First 24-48 hours after the operation face will be swelling. After 48 hours swelling will be decreases. Scalp area stitches are taken from the day 10. Final results may take 1 month. Patients can return to work after 1 week. The effect of gravity varies according to the aging speed and lifestyle but it provides an average permanent effect of 10 years. I wish you all the best.

Shaun Parson, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  It is normal to feel tightness following your facelift procedure.  This will abate over then ensuing weeks.  However, it is not normal to have sleep apnea following your procedure.  I don't know how a facelift could in any way cause sleep apnea.  Nothing done during a normal procedure should have any correlation.  However, if you had mild sleep apnea prior to the procedure and now things are more constricted this might explain your present situation.  I would speak with both your doctor and also consult with a pulmonary physician.  Sleep apnea can be a dangerous situation if it's not handled correctly.

John Frodel, MD · Answer

In order to formally diagnose obstructive sleep apnea, a formal sleep study must be performed and this is something you should do.  Regardless, many patients become aware of existing problems after a surgical procedure---you have likely had this breathing problem and now with all of the stimulation from the surgical procedure, you are now more aware of it.  Hopefully, as your tightness from the surgery resolves over the next few weeks, you will likely feel better.  Again, have your physician order a formal sleep study.

Michael Bowman, MD · Answer

Your complaints are unusual and you should make sure you discuss with your surgeon soon.  Sleep apnea can only be truly diagnosed with a sleep study of some kind and a CPAP machine is technically a prescription only device...regardless of the medical terminology it sounds like you need to have the situation addressed.Some questions you will want to discuss with your surgeon:  Do you have trouble breathing whenever you lay flat or just when you fall asleep?Where are you obstructing or feeling tight with the breathing?  Nose? Throat? Chest?Are you having any other symptoms?  Chest pain, shortness of breath while awake?It would be unusual after most facelift procedures to have any long term sleep issues like sleep apnea, so hopefully your problems will get better with time.  However, If you have any severe symptoms, get evaluated ASAP.  After evaluation by your surgeon, if problems persist, you might consider consultation with an ENT who does sleep apnea surgery so they can evaluate your airway.

Dominic Bray, MBBS, FRCS · Answer

First of all it looks like you have had a great result! Your situation is unusual. Looking at you pre op photo you had a heavy midline neck and platysma laxity. Did you have a cut under the chin and platysmaplasty? this may account for your 'tightness'. If not it is likely to be upper airways obstruction due to nasal blockage. Ephedrine nose drops may help and salt water washouts. At one week out, the tissue swelling can still be significant so this should settle. I would visit your surgeon and have them examine your nose and throat.

I had a face and neck lift 1 week PO. Since the procedure, I have had difficulty breathing at night. Will it get better? (photo)

Answers (5)

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