Could I Have Ruined my Facelift From Neck Strain While Off-Roading? (photo)

It is unlikely that you have "ruined" your facelift. However, your post does offer a cautionary tale for prospective facelift patients. Having been limited in their level of activity in the immediate postoperative period, many patients burst out of the gate aggressively shortly thereafter in an effort "to make up for lost time."

Most of the patients who have behaved in this manner will tell you in retrospect that it is never worth it. Even if there is no permanent compromise of their surgical result, the anxiety that they might have done so makes them regret engaging in whatever strenuous activity in which they had performed. Far better, to take it easy, until your surgeon explicitly cuts you loose to resume your regular excercise or sporting activity, and, even then, only gradually advance your level of exertion over time.

In your particular case, it does not appear from the photographs that there has been a hematoma or compromise of your flaps in any way. Because the facelift inevitably disrupts the venous and lymphatic drainage of the face and neck, there is always a slower resolution of swelling than there is in the unoperated face.

It is normal for swelling to wax and wane in the weeks and months following a facelift, and that is what is happening here. Symptomatic treatment with elevation, NSAIDS, ice,rest, and the passage of time  should do the trick, but the object lesson you inadvertently provided should be helpful to future patients.

It is very unlikely that after 3 weeks you have 'ruined' anything.  You probably just have some swelling and tightness of your neck muscles.

i cant really see much on the photos.. if there is no discoloration , bleeding or hematoma is unlikely.

swelling not unheard of after increased activity..  ice elevation , celebrex can help syptoms.  obviously have your doctor examine you .

I doubt that you have harmed your facelift results permanently from your activity. In fact, our facelift patients have  routinely returned to their activities after 4 weeks. Fluctuating swelling though is normal and may be temporarily worse with exercise.

The result may look much better at 9 days after the surgery - especially if a "mini-lift" has been performed. if your neck and jawline continue to worsen over the next 3 months than it is most likely due to the conservatism of the lift itself.

Looking at your photos, it appears that you also underwent skin resurfacing of face and neck which can add to swelling associated with exercise, sweating etc.

Stay in close contact to your facelift surgeon.

You're probably going to be just fine.  Edema (swelling) will persist after the facelift for months, and will fluctuate depending on your activity level, position, application of compression garments, and perhaps salt and fluid intake, medications you are using, etc.  The general trend of this swelling is to slowly resolve.  Check with your plastic surgeon though if he/she wants to see you to check it out, or, if you're anxious about it, perhaps best to go in for check up.

Adherance to post-operative instrutions is critical for timely healing and a good result, especially regarding facial rejuvination surgery. It sounds like you were compliant with your surgeon's instructions and your photos don't appear to reveal any hematomas. Exertional activity more than 3 weeks after a facelift should not have any adverse effects on your ultimate outcome. However, your experience illustrates how sensitive the face and neck can be even beyond the three week healing window.

I like my patients to have at least ten days of vacation time and no strenuous activity for a month in order to minimize potential prolonged swelling. I would follow up with your surgeon to ensure that you haven't compromised your results. Your results look great.

At day 33 your neck still looks much better than the preop.

Ask your doc if you can have lymphatic facial massage. Be patient. It looks like all will be well.

Exertion three weeks post facelift should not seriously affect the outcome-although in New York City, where we're lucky to go 5 mph in traffic, I am by no means an expert on off road vehicles. If you drove at high speeds on rough terrain. This could result in some bruising which should resolve within several weeks. At that point, you will be able to assess the outcome.

Unlikely...but to be sure, you should touch base with your PS.  It sounds like you followed all required post-op instructions, even if you - however unintentionally - overdid it after that.  But the good news is that it's pretty normal for swelling to go up and down anyway, and certainly if there was some stress or trauma.  I suspect you'll be fine; you just have to give it a few months (for everything to settle down).  In the meantime, touch base with your PS.

I hope that this helps, and good luck,

Dr. E

It is unlikely you did any permanent harm to your neck by off-roading 1 month after your facelift, but final healing my be delayed. I suggest you consult with your surgeon.