Swelling After Facelift and SMAS Lip Augmention? (photo)

Question

Twelve days ago, which I know realistically isn't very long, I had a face lift and SMAS lip augmentation. To date, I look horrible. My lips are so huge and my cheeks are still very swollen and my face is totally round. I am beginning to be sad and wonder if I have done the right thing. Am I being unrealistic? Will the size of my lips lessen as I sincerely hope?

Peter Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

You are still in the early period of early post-operative swelling and inflammation, so there is nothing out of the ordinary in the photographs you have posted. In my experience using SMAS grafts to the lips, one does need to over-correct the lips quite a bit to compensate for the loss of volume they will experience with the passage of time, since most of the SMAS graft does not take.

	 

	You do not say whether your surgeon performed concomitant fat grafting of the face at the time of your facelift. Again, in my experience, this can significantly increase the degree of swelling patients experience in the immediate post-operative period. The good news for you, is that, with time, the swelling of your face will abate, and your lips will assume mortal proportions once again.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question for sharing your experience and photos with us. The degree of swelling and bruising shown in your pictures appear fairly normal at the stage of healing.  Swelling and firmness in the tissues will return to normal as time passes by. Between the first and second week, much of your swelling and bruising will dissipate, but will still persist in milder forms.  It may take more than a month or two for your tissues to fully soften and any residual swelling to resolve. Lymphatic massage maybe an option to help clear the swelling and firmness at a faster pace.  I would make sure that you continue to follow up with your plastic surgeon during this period of time.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Facial swelling and bruising at your stage is masking your final result and your lips will reduce in size as well.

Shim Ching, MD · Answer

The kind of swelling you are experiencing is completely normal after the surgery you had. It is still very early after your facelift and you will not look normal at this stage. Your lips will get smaller as the swelling subsides.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Swelling Varies following SMAS Facelift especially if you also had laser or a peel at same time which it appears you have had as it is pinker in the upper lip/chin areas. The more procedures you have at once the more you swell is a general rule that applies to the majority.

	Symptoms of swelling and numbness are not only normal but expected after the first several weeks following a facelift of any sort including a SMAS lift. Most resolves in 2-3 weeks but several weeks are necessary for the rest to go away. It makes sense that structures lower on the face (jowls, upper neck) may have longer swelling than areas higher such as the upper cheek. The lips especially swell following an augmentation.
	Patients should expect swelling, discoloration, and bruising of the skin for several weeks following a SMAS face lift.

Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS · Answer

Looks like you also had a resurfacing procedure over your lips and chin area - which further exacerbates the post op swelling that you have. Your facial edema will likely subside in a few weeks and you'll be left with a nice result.

Stewart Wang, MD, FACS · Answer

At 12 days post op, you are expected to have some swelling and bruising. The key is whether you are improving with time. Do you look a bit better today than 2-3 days ago? Sometimes it's hard to tell. Take serial photos every 3 days may help you tract your progress. Have regular followup with your surgeon also will provide reassurance that things are coming along just fine. It's too early to judge final result at this point.

	Best Wishes,

	Stewart Wang, MD FACS, Wang Plastic Surgery

J. Brian Boyd, MD · Answer

It is normal to have bruising and swelling after facelift. It may go on for 2-3 weeks depending upon surgical as well as patient variables. You clearly do not have a hematoma, (collection of blood), skin loss or any facial weakness. So don't worry! Things will settle and you will have a great result!

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

It is completely normal to still have a good amount of swelling at twelve days after your facelift and lip augmentation. I can't tell you exactly how much more it will go down, but it definitely will go down much more. I would give the healing process some more time, as it may take months for all of the swelling to diminish.

Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C) · Answer

Dear LHayes62,

	 

	as you indicated, it's far too early to judge your final result.  You should see significant improvements in your appearance over the next few weeks/months. 

	 

	Best,

	Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C)

Swelling After Facelift and SMAS Lip Augmention? (photo)

Answers (17)