Can a Facelift cause chronic post nasal drip and ear pain?

Hello.  Thank you for your question.  Because the incisions from a facelift are made around the ear, there could certainly be some ear pain during the recovery period.  However, I would expect this pain to resolve over time as you heal from the procedure.  You did not indicate how long ago the procedure was performed.  I would certainly expect the postoperative pain to resolve within a few weeks.  If liquids get into the ear canal during the procedure or when cleaning, that could allow for an infection in the ear canal ("swimmer's ear") that can definitely cause pain.  If this were the case, it would likely occur during the first week or two after the procedure.  In addition, there is a risk to injury to a nerve that gives sensation to the ear (greater auricular nerve) during facelift procedures that can result in numbness and rarely chronic pain.  This is usually self-limited and resolves over time.  I do not think that postnasal drip would be related in any way to a facelift.  I would suggest following up with your facial plastic surgeon to assure that everything has healed well and there is no evidence of ear canal infection.  They can probably treat the postnasal drainage issue too, or make a referral to an ENT physician, if needed.  I hope this information is helpful.

The question you ask is an excellent one. A facelift is a surgical
procedure that dramatically improves facial contours through the reversal of
age related changes in facial anatomy. The operation is not simply the removal
of excess, inelastic skin, but a resuspension of the facial tissues that
provide a more youthful appearance. Simply stated, these are external changes
that are created and seen on the face. The symptoms of ear pain and post-nasal
drip are internal and very often not related to your procedure. I would recommend
that you follow-up with a well reputed Otolaryngologist (ENT surgeon) for
evaluation of your nose and ears. Hopefully this is helpful to you.Be healthy and be well, James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS

A facelift should not affect the function of the nose in any way, so I would say it could not cause chronic post nasal drip.  It is possible that the ear could temporarily be affected after a facelift, but this should be a very short lasting problem if it occurs.  Sometimes blood can collect in the ear canal, which can make the ear feel clogged and decrease the hearing.  It is possible that perhaps some ear pain could accompany this issue, but the problem can easily be treated.  

Hello Eemajin,After a facelift there are several reasons to develop temporary ear discomfort.  One of the more common reasons is that some blood gets into the ear canal.  This can cause the ear to feel full, the hearing muffled, and some discomfort.  This can be improved with ear drops.  Another common reason is that with certain lifts the tissue is sutured in the area in front of the ear.  This usually causes discomfort at rest, worse with chewing, and is described as a deep feeling pain.  It is almost like a temporomandibular joint type pain.  This will improve with time, a soft diet, and pain relievers. There is a nerve that comes from back and below the ear.  It can be damaged during the lift and can lead to some discomfort and numbness.  This usually resolves with time.  As far as the post nasal drip, that is not usually associated with a facelift.  If you underwent general anesthesia and there was a tube in your nose during the procedure this can cause temporary post nasal drip.  Some medications that are sometimes prescribed can cause your secretions to thin making post nasal drip more likely.  And of course allergens in your environment can certainly cause it.  There are medications that can help with this depending on the cause.  All of this should be discussed with your surgeon to determine if there are any treatment options available. 

Hi eemajin, ear pain can occur following a facelift because the incision line runs adjacent to the ear canal. The resulting swelling and tightness after the procedure can result in ear pain that should gradually resolve as the swelling goes down. There is no relation between a facelift and post nasal drip. Make sure to follow up with your surgeon to ensure that you are healing properly.