18 days post lower face and neck lift, bleeding behind left ear. Do I need a graph or another suture or some special wound care?

Question

My left ear is bleeding quite a bit - like a minor nose bleed with lots of crusty blood forming every morning behind and in the back crease. I was told that I had a opening where my eye glasses were hitting and could I not wear them. That is impossible.I did find a cloth headband to protect my ear and put my glasses OVER it. Do you think I need a stitch or graph to fix this. I was told this could take a month to close and to put ointment on it.

Vivek Bansal, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Bleeding after 18 days is not usual, and it sounds as if there is an area behind your ear which is being chronically irritated and not allowed to completely heal. If there is an infection then it is best to let the area drain as opposed to closing it with more sutures.  It will most likely heal on its own but you should see the treating physician to have the area examined.  I hope this helps!

Erik Miles, MD, FACS · Answer

The source of the bleeding is obviously a surgical wound on that side.  Bleeding 18 days after the procedure is uncommon, however it is not necessarily cause for great concern.  It could simply represent some mild separation of the incision behind the ear or some minor skin necrosis.  Most of the time this situation is managed with wound care consisting of daily cleansing and application of petroleum based ointment.  It could also represent an extruding internal suture.  Additional stitching and skin grafts are typically not necessary at this point in healing.continue to follow up with your surgeon and follow his/her recommendations.

Francisco Canales, MD · Answer

If you  had a small blood accumulation, the timing of blood being dissolved and absorbed by your body coincides with your story. If it is not causing distortion of the result, letting it drain like your surgeon advises is perfectly fine. Keep him/her advised of  any changes.

John Frodel, MD · Answer

Such bleeding after 18 days is a bit unusual, but likely not a major issue.  I would definitely contact your surgeon to have the area examined. Healing issues can be extremely annoying for up to several months after such surgery.

Suzanne Kim Doud Galli, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

at 18 days postop, bleeding is not the standard course. It might indicate an underlying problem with healing. Be sure to have your surgeon examine the site and follow your surgeon's instructions.

18 days post lower face and neck lift, bleeding behind left ear. Do I need a graph or another suture or some special wound care?

Answers (5)