Swelling in Front of Left Ear/earlobe 9 Weeks After SMAS Facelift

Question

My swelling was much worse on left side after surgery to begin with and then I developed an infection in left ear incisions and had to take course of Cipro. The skin in front of my left ear is still more swollen and numb and numb than the right but not enough for anyone else to notice. What is visible is how swollen my left earlobe is. My right earlobe looks completely normal. Could the facelift also have made my left earlobe swell and will it resolve in time?

Thomas E. Kaniff, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Columbus4384-

	Swelling is often different between the two sides after a face lift, especially if you had an infection on one side. The ear lobe swelling will go down with time, but may take several months. Be sure to check with your surgeon if you have any questions.

	Sincerely,

	Tom Kaniff

Matthew Richardson, MD · Answer

Swelling can take different amounts of time to resolve completely. It is very common for patients to have one area that takes longer than other areas of the face to heal. We usually do not know why this happens, but it almost always evens out over time. Local factors such as wound breakdown or infection can definitely impact the healing process. Earlobe swelling after a facelift is likely due to obstruction of the lymphatic outflow, which should only get better as time goes on. 
Be sure to discuss any post-operative concerns with your surgeon.
All the best,

Mike Majmundar, MD · Answer

Earlobes in general will swell after a facelift but your infection on one side probably created more swelling for a prolonged period of time.  The earlobe also takes longer to reduce in size because its the most dependent part of the ear and fluid will drain to the bottom of the ear and hang out in the earlobe and then have to travel up to the earlobe / face attachment for it to drain so takes a while even without an infection.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question for sharing your experience with us. Swelling and firmness in the tissues will return to normal as time passes by.  Asymmetric swelling in your case is very likely due to the infection and may take much more time to resolve.  It may take more than a couple months 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.

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

The skin in front of your left ear is still more swollen and numb and numb than the right most likely because of your infection. Although the facelift may have contributed to your left earlobe swelling it is a moot point as invariably it will resolve with time.

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, the swelling should resolve after your facelift.  However, it may take 6-8 months for all of the swelling to completely resolve.

David J. Levens, MD · Answer

Your signs and symptoms are not at all unusual even 2 months post op facelift. Swellingo of the ear can take a few months to resolove fully (remember, there is an incision around almost the entire ear!), especially if one side was particularly swollen early post op. Also an infection or suture irritation can result in prolonged or recurrent swelling. Be sure to follow up with your surgeon. Ultimately it will all resolve and if there remains an earlobe asymmetry that is bothersome, it is usually an easy procedure to correct.

Andrew Campbell, MD · Answer

It appears that due to the facelift and resulting infection, your earlobe swelled. This swelling is most likely due to disruption of the lymphatic drainage from the earlobe. Over the next month or so, the swelling should resolve spontaneously. As long as you don't have any more signs of infection, just let the healing process take over. I would typically tell my patients to gently massage the earlobe in an attempt to get rid of the swelling faster.

Andrew C. Campbell, M.D.

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Andrew C. Campbell, M.D.

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Given your infection on the left, I think that the earlobe swelling can be expected to be prolonged more ton that side. In most instances, this should return to normal.

Michael Sundine, MD, FACS · Answer

The numbness that you are experiencing is normal since the skin was lifted up in front of the ear to perform the facelift. The swelling of the left earlobe is much more likely due to the infection rather than performing the facelift. This swelling should definitely resolve with time.

Swelling in Front of Left Ear/earlobe 9 Weeks After SMAS Facelift

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