3 months post op Facelift, I still have swelling. Is this normal?

Question

I had a neck lift, facelift, fat transfer and bleph as well as 40% TCA peel. It's been three months, and I now still have right side swelling. Is it normal? Will it subside?

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Generally speaking, it can take 6 to 12 months to completely heal after a facelift procedure.  I would strongly recommend speaking with your surgeon or his/her clinical team to discuss your concerns further.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Some swelling is not out of the question but significant swelling is unusual. Did you have a postoperative hematoma?

Babak Azizzadeh, MD, FACS · Answer

It can take 6 - 12 months for swelling after a facelift to go away completely. You also had fat grafting which may be the main reason your face still appears swollen so you have to be patient until the post operative healing process is completed.   I would recommend going to see your surgeon so he can examine the swelling to make sure everything is healing properly.

Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD · Answer

Its very common to have continued swelling following a facelift 3 months following the procedure. Its also not unusual to have asymmetrical swelling of the face. With fat transfers, more trauma is involved, and more swelling will occur. Please be patient, it can take up to a year for all swelling to resolve.

Parker A. Velargo, MD, FACS · Answer

What you are experiencing seems normal.  As a rule, following any facial surgery (or even trauma), 80% of swelling is generally gone by 2 weeks and 90% of swelling is generally gone by 2 months.  The remaining 10% of your swelling gradually resolves over the remaining 10 months, which is why many doctors will tell you that it takes up to one year for post-operative swelling to resolve.  If you are sleeping on the right side of your face more, that could explain the asymmetry you are noticing.  The location and amount of fat grafting performed may differ from one side to the other based on your pre-operative needs.  Performing more surgery on one side could lead to more prolonged periods of swelling compared to the other.It is also possible that pre-operative asymmetries existed and went unnoticed.  A careful analysis of your pre-operative photographs would solve that possibility.    It's best to see your doctor to voice your concerns.  He/ she should have the answers to these questions.

Thomas E. Kaniff, MD, FACS · Answer

Swelling  3months after the procedures you describe would not be unusual. It is more unusual to have swelling that is on one side more than the other. If you tend to tilt you hear to the right while sleeping this could explain the difference in swelling between the two sides. Most importantly, you should be seen by your surgeon regarding your concerns.Good luck.Dr. Kaniff

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

It can take six months and sometimes up to a year to see resolution of swelling after surgical procedures on the face.  Pictures or an exam of you would be needed to determine if the amount of swelling on your right side is normal or not.  In general, swelling should be improving over time.  I would recommend contacting your surgeon so that your recovery can be evaluated.

Heather J. Furnas, MD · Answer

With delayed swelling on one side, you should see your plastic surgeon to make sure there is no underlying cause.

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

It would be worth posting some pre and postop photos for an appropriate opinion. I presume you are in contact with your PS. There are many reasons for swelling and it is important that there is no haematoma or seroma that needs attention. Often there can be swelling more on one side that the other. Often each side of face is different and this if often the case preoperatively. It would also be interesting to know how much fat was injected as it can take 12 months before one knows how much fat will survive. There will be an alteration in result even over the next 3-6 months and I would see your PS for reassurance.

Henry Mentz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, Thanks for your question. Following surgery, the greatest swelling is usually noted within 24 to 48 hours, though moderate swelling may last for weeks. Bruising typically diminishes within 2 weeks and most sutures are removed 5-7 days after surgery. Patients are typically able to return to work in 2 weeks and resume exercise in about 6 weeks. It's common to experience swelling 3 months after surgery, but if swelling continues any longer, I recommend visiting your surgeon. Thanks, Dr. Mentz

3 months post op Facelift, I still have swelling. Is this normal?

Answers (13)

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