Is this swelling or seroma after face and neck lift? (Photos)

Looking at the photo you submitted , it is hard to state if this is swelling or seroma. If you apply gentle pressure to the suspected area and that area feels as a waterbed or filled with fluid as opposed to swelling , it is most likely a seroma.  You need to schedule an appointment with your board certified plastic surgeon that performed the procedure immediately if you feel this might be a seroma. A Seroma is typically easy to manage and resolved by your plastic surgeon.  

You have a scar under the chin and therefore have had a submental approach to correcting the neck. This generally causes more swelling . However, it is still important to consult your surgeon in case this is a seroma which is easily detectable on examination.

Thank you for your question and pictures.  Please return to your surgeon to have a follow up appointment so they can examine you and detect to see whether its just swelling.  All The Best 

Dear Jasper42Many thanks for posting your question. It might be that you have developed a seroma - not uncommon after you have had a haematoma. These are normally easy to deal with in the out patient setting.Please arrange to see your plastic surgeon who will be able to sort things out for you if it is a seroma. They will also be able to determine if it is generalised swelling alternatively, after a clinical examination.

It is difficult to tell if that is swelling, or something such as a seroma after surgery.  It is best to contact your surgeon for evaluation in person to determine if intervention is indicated. 

Unfortunately, the only way to diagnose a seroma is by a physical exam.  It is possible that you have only swelling 4 weeks after your face/neck lift and other procedures, but it could be fluid as well.  I would recommend contacting your surgeon so that you can be evaluated.  If there is a seroma, this can usually be treated by aspiration.  

Based on the photo, it may already have developed into a seroma. If you palpate the area and feel that the area seem to be filled with fluid, it is most likely a seroma. Schedule an appointment with your board certified plastic surgeon for an examination. Seroma is usually easy to manage with the use of drains and is a common complication of surgery.

It looks like more than swelling. Usually seromas are pretty easy to detect with a quick physical exam. It feels like a very obvious pocket of fluid. You should go to see your surgeon right away because it is easy to treat and if you don't treat it within a reasonable period of time, it can organize into a fibrous scar that can give you a contour deformity. You should be following closely with your surgeon particularly since you had a problem with an immediate post op hematoma. 

Hard to say from a photo. It does look like more swelling that normal at 1 month post op so I would encourage you to have this evaluated in person by your surgeon. Best of luck.

jasper42,
Thanks for the question and picture.  Your question needs to be addressed by your surgeon, as a physical exam is the definitive way to examine (and treat) a seroma, and the mere concern of one should warrant an exam in person.  This could also represent swelling, as scarring tends to build up and remodel at the 3-8 week mark, though given the concern for a fluid collection, please have this examined by your surgeon.  Good luck!