Recurring infection after facelift. What could cause it?

Thank you for your question. Although I cannot know for certain, it your surgeon used permanent suture material, it could be that the suture is reacting or seeded with bacteria. Another possibility is that the parotid gland was injured and you have a sialocele that comes and goes. In-person evaluation would be the most appropriate next step to determine the cause.
-Dr. P

Your initial history of needing Keflex followed by Cipro, although not common, is certainly not unusual for a post op wound infection. For it to occur again 6 months later is unusual. At this point, I don’t have your complete history so there are some gaps which only your doctor can fill. First, was there a culture done this time? Second, do you work in a healthcare setting or have pets? People who contract MRSA from a hospital setting can catch it and it can persist in the fur of animals(but not for an extended time). Third, it could be a suture granuloma if there is a permanent suture in the area. Fourth, it could be an inflamed lymph node which is totally unrelated to your surgery. Best to see your doctor and if he doesn’t think it’s due to surgery, see a head and neck/ENT specialist.

There may be a buried suture that needs to be removed. I can understand trying to treat it conservatively fir a while but if it continues to recur the area may need to be opened and explored fir a buried suture.