Why Do I Have Ridges on Cheeks After Facelift? (photo)

In general, the side effects of a facelift may include:

1) Swelling
2) Hematoma
3) Bruising
4) Irregularities

After 9 months, it is abnormal to have a bump on your cheek as shown in your photo. It appears to be edema or a pocket of fluid, and should be evaluated by your surgeon. I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck.

 

Contour irregularities are not uncommon following facelifts. They can result from multiple causes:

 

·         Bleeding and hematoma formation. This is an early postop complication that usually occurs within the first 2 to 3 days following surgery and presents as a localized uniform swelling with severe bruising over the area. A hematoma needs to be quickly drained as it puts the adjacent skin at risk for necrosis and irreversible scarring.

 

·         Seroma. This is also an early postop complication but can occur up to 2 or 3 weeks following surgery. Caused by collection of extracellular tissue fluid, these should be drained during normal postoperative follow-ups. They can be prevented or limited by using compression dressings.

 

·         Sialocele. This is an uncommon event that can show up within a few weeks following surgery when the surgeon has dissected/resected the parotid salivary gland. It presents as a soft fluid-filled swelling and may persist for months. Usually resolve with time but often require multiple aspirations.

 

·         Tissue bunching or pleating. Usually appears within 3 to 4 weeks following surgery as swelling resolves. Results from not ensuring that the skin and or deep tissues are not properly released and smoothly redraped during the resuspension process of facelift surgery. These tend to improve over time, however, beyond a year or so will likely require revision surgery to fully correct.

 

·         Inadvertent scarring. This tends to appear late in the healing process. Difficult to correct.

 

In your situation 9 months following surgery, if the lump of tissue feels firm it is likely due to tissue bunching and will require revision. If it feels soft and fluid-filled it is likely a sialocele.

 

Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS, FRCSC.

 

Hello,

This is a good question – and I am sorry that you have to ask it.  Common irregularities after a facelift surgery would be resolved by your stage of healing. What is most important to your circumstance is the of facelift you have had performed and the fashion in which it was performed. When excellent pull is applied, but the slack is not taken up or removed the result can lead to bulging in regions that are unnatural. This type of result does not change unless a revision facelift is performed.

Be healthy and be well,

James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS