Facelift swelling - 8 weeks post op. Jaw still swollen and tender, more on one side. (photo)

Thank you for your question.At 8 weeks, you do still have some swelling on the one side.  This can be completely normal and the numbness may take 6 months before it goes away.  What have your tried to help with the swelling? I would recommend find someone in your area that does lymphatic massages, this will help this go down a lot faster. Good luck with recovery.

The photograph does not show the asymmetric swelling that clearly. Some swelling can take 3 months to fully resolve, and in some cases the area around the upper cheeks may take even longer. Your symptoms are unusual for 8 weeks after surgery, but the recovery is variable. As long as you are slowly improving, things should settle down. I think it is appropriate to follow up with your surgeon every few weeks until your symptoms have resolved.

While it is not unusual to have some swelling 8 weeks after a facelift, there can be many causes and I would go in and see your plastic surgeon. You are not pestering him. Plastic surgeons take great pride in their work and generally want to know how things are going. The vast majority would rather know when things are first going wrong so they can take care of them when they are small problems, rather than large ones.

The healing process in general can take up to one month for the majority of swelling to subside, incisions to close, sutures to come out, and for bruising to completely go away. #Recovery time from a #facelift varies from person to person, but patients can generally expect to be presentable within three weeks from surgery. Patients should expect swelling, bruising, and discoloration of the skin during this phase of recovery (swelling normally goes down after 48 hours; most bruising will go away within two weeks). Additionally, the #swelling will move downward in the first week and the neck will feel even tighter. Do not be alarmed: the sensation will decrease during the first month. The marks from a facelift can easily hidden with “camouflage” make-up which you can learn how to apply.The scars from a facelift mature within six to twelve months from the surgery date. It is during this time that the rejuvenating effects of the facelift will become apparent and the real result will be seen. If you have certain concerns about the procedures and #healing process, it is recommended to call your board-certified surgeon or their medical staff and discuss those #concerns.

It is not typical to still be swollen and tender 8 weeks after a facelift, but if you had an infection 4 weeks ago (which is a little odd, but from your story it seems like you did) then some residual swelling and tenderness can be explained. I would recommend you get evaluated by your surgeon and discuss the possibility of going on another course of antibiotics, possibly for several weeks if there is a concern for a residual infection / inflammation. Some types of bacteria that would cause a delayed infection can require 6-8 weeks of antibiotics to get rid of them.Andrew Campbell, M.D.

Facial Rejuvenation Specialist

Quintessa Aesthetic Centers

You are still early postop and massage at this point is key for you. Numbness is common and it can take 12-18 months to totally recover. Keep in touch with your PS. 

I do see what you are talking about. It is subtle and certainly could be swelling. People occasionally feel a little sore for a while after surgery especially when touching the face but It is a little bit unusual to have significant pain this far out. The sutures can take a few months to dissolve (depending on type deep sutures used) so the lumpiness and dimpling can last a couple of months. Give it some time, and see your surgeon if it persists. Best Wishes

dear Loopylou44: It is very unusual for the face to get infected after a facelift because the face has a wonderful blood supply. Your photo gives the appearance of you being very red. If you are truly that red in real life and natural light, you may be having a reaction to your medication or to one of the cleansers that you are using on your face. The numbness that you are experiencing is absolutely normal and will resolve as the swelling subsides over the next four to six months. The pain that comes with exercise or sleeping on your side is due to the deep sutures that were placed into the muscles behind and in front of your ears. Gradual stretching of the muscles naturally occurs with time, but flexing the muscles gradually while you are in a warm shower will help them relax and feel more normal. Ibuprofen is safe this far out from surgery to lessen the muscle pain as well. If your swelling becomes tender or the redness doesn't resolve, I have no doubt that your surgeon wants to hear from you! It is easier to solve problems if there is one earlier rather than later!John Standefer MD

from that photo you are a little swollen on that side. *-10 weeks after surgery, post op swelling is entirely possible and the numbness i pretty normal actually. My advice would be to firmly massage the swollen side up and back towards your ear scars daily. Scar responds well to massage, softening and flattening it, just like dough when kneaded becomes soft and pliable.

Try this twice a day and ask your PS what they think next tie you see them. 

Hope that helps. 

Adam Goodwin

Some degree of numbness is normal for several weeks to months following a facelift, and it often depends on how extensive the dissection was during the surgery. This is also true of soreness. Having said that, there is always a chance that you could have an infection or fluid collection that may be easily detected if you see your surgeon. It is a good idea, particularly in the early stages of your post operative recovery, to call whenever you have a concern. I assure you that your surgeon will not feel that you are a pest or a fuss pot. It is important that we keep a close eye on our patients for the first few months following this surgery to make sure that nothing is going wrong.