Does a lower facelift typically involve internal sutures along the cheek muscle? Ridges and lumps (Photo)

Thank you for your question.  A facelift would involve internal sutures to pull the SMAS muscle which gives you the longevity.  This supports the deeper sutures of the face.  This is a crucial part of the procedure, without them the facelift would only last a few months.  The ridges in your picture are not typical for a facelift.  Please discuss with your surgeon to see if massaging would help.  All The Best 

A facelift usually involves incisions around the ears and internal sutures to suspend the muscular layer to the repositioned area.

Ridges and lumps after face lift is not common. Most surgeons use internal sutures to help support the deeper structures of the face and to take tension off of the skin.  This is an important part of the procedure that leads to better results. However, the ridges and bumps that are seen in your picture or not normally seen. I have seen bumps like these in a couple of cases and they went down after a few weeks. I recommend that you discuss these concerns with your surgeon.

Jawline or jowl elevation can be accomplished with internal suturing techniques and or trimming techniques. The key to a natural result is moving the vectors of your muscle attachments in a favorable line. See an experienced ASAPS board certified plastic surgeon in consultation. Good luck...

Hello and thank you for your question. A facelift uses internal sutures to lift the SMAS layer which supports the upper skin of the face. This aspect of the facelift procedure gives you the long-lasting results you want. Treating only the skin without treating the SMAS layer will give you very short-lived results. However, the internal sutures supporting the SMAS in the vast majority of cases do not produce visible ridges or lumps in the surface layer of the skin, as in your photos. Discuss the appearance of these features with the board certified facial plastic surgeon who performed your surgery. These signs may diminish as you recover, or your board certified facial plastic surgeon can suggest other ways to minimize or eliminate them. Good luck!- Elbert T. Cheng, MD

Sutures are placed to support the structure of the face.  The ridges and lumps seen in your photos are unusual.  Follow up with your plastic surgeon so he can monitor your progress.