Help, Seroma and open wound after neck and facelift. Looking for a second opinion. (photos)

This is not an uncommon complication following a facelift. Your doctor appears to be doing everything possible and by the book--so don't "freak out", it will heal just fine, and should not affect the long term results. He may want to obtain a wound culture to be sure there is not a low grade infection preventing faster wound healing. A scar in the post auricular area can easily be revised later and won't be noticeable.

If you don't like the way this healed up behind your ear, you should be evaluated for a scar revision.  Most of the time this heals up fine without further intervention needed, but its been a few months now since your procedure and you should have a pretty good idea by now what this is going to look like.  

Wound breakdown behind and above the ears after facelift is not uncommom, because these are areas of greatest tension and poorest blood supply. This is very anxiety provoking for the patient, but fortunately most frequently heals with good wound care and generally does not affect the outcome. The process can take several weeks to several months depending on the extent of the problem. Occasionally scar revisions are required. I always recommend following your surgeons postoperative instructions for best results. In our practice, we have patients shower and wash their hair twenty four hours after surgery, and continue this if wound care becomes necessary . From observing your photos only , it would appear that your wounds should heal uneventfully.

Hi,  I know that the look of the area behind our ear can be scary, but to reassure you, this area will heal in time. Your doctor should be able to close the open incision soon as the wound looks very clean.I do not think that the doc did anything wrong. Sometimes these things can happen, but I think that you will look fine in the very near future. Keep in contact with your physician and let him/her know of your concerns.Best Wishes,Dr. Christine Rodgers

Usually seromas respond to serial aspiration and usually last two to three weeks to completely resolve. If not responding to serial aspiration, quilting sutures is an option. Fortunately, the problem area is behind the ear and should eventually heal without much of a visible mark. Worst case scenario your surgeon can perform a scar revision in that area once everything has healed and the scar matured. Hang in there and trust your and follow his instructions I am sure it will resolve favorably. You can also get a second opinion from an experienced surgeon. 

It looks like your wound is clean.  Although it may seem like a setback to you, it looks as if the area should heal well and be unnoticeable behind the ear.  Be sure to follow closely with your doctor.

Thank you for reaching out and the have the courage to ask the question as the facelift journey is quite the rollercoaster. You may have had a seroma but the main issue now is separation of the wound behind the ear which may have been a factor with seroma. The main cause of this is skin tightness and the skin can undergo some minor necrosis. Don't worry too much about it because with dressings it will heal and the long term result will aesthetically be okay.
Just speak to your surgeon about it for re-assurance.

Infrequently, minor healing issues can arise in early postoperative period. Based on your photos, you should heal just fine with barely perceptible scar behind your ear.  Follow your doctor’s recommendation.  On occasion, if some salivary leakage is suspected, Botox treatments can be helpful. 

it can be distressing.  Your surgeon sounds like he/she is doing everything by the book and from the photos provided, there is an excellent chance your healing will leave minimal scarring.  If the clear drainage does not diminish, your surgeon will have to entertain other strategies to get this healed, but in the end, it should heal much better than you could ever imagine.

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Healing delay after face lift is not uncommon and obviously creates concern. Of significance, the flaps appear alive and healthy. 
The draining wound was opened and packed, allowing free flow of drainage. Drainage in this situation is normal and should decrease over time. 
The wound will take some time to seal and heal, but in the vast majority of patients, it should heal without difficulty although it may take several months.
Follow your surgeon's instructions. He / she is on the right track.
Best wishes...