6 months post op, my ears looks different after Facelift. Is this normal? (photos)

Your concerns do show up in the photographs.  The good news is two fold:First, you seem to be healing quite well overall, and at only 6 months out you have continued room for improvement. Second, a revision procedure to improve your areas of concern should be relatively simple and not overly expensive.  You should maintain close follow up with your surgeon, and if desired consider getting a second opinion with someone in your area.The earlobe and tragus are challenging to get to look just right after a facelift, and those areas can be one of the dead giveaways for the telltale signs of someone who has had a facelift.An abnormal looking tragus is one of my personal pet peeves, and because of that I frequently place the incision in front of the tragus in carefully selected patients.  Many people will tell you that is an outdated method, but it heals beautifully in the right patient and avoids the distortion associated with pulling the thicker cheek skin over the tragus.Good luck as you continue to improve!

Yes, I can see what you mean.  Frankly, it is not the worst problem in the world, but I would want it improved if you were my patient.  Fortunately, I think this is addressed pretty easily.  Give it a few more months and then do a little procedure in the office under local anesthesia to defat the skin covering the triages and I'll be you go home happy.Good Luck!

The asymmetry in the earlobes can easily be fixed in the office with local anesthesia. These distortions generally occur when tension has been applied to the ear at the time of closure.

Thank you for your question. The type of incisions are designed to hide the scar around the natural anatomical features of the ear. I do acknowledge your concerns with the scar but at 6 months I would encourage you to be patient. Your overall results are within the normal range, you have maintained your tragus and from the images the scars are settling. Be patient and discuss your concerns with your surgeon. RegardsDr Guy Watts

Your incisions seem to be healing well and likely will improve over the next 4-6 months.  The 2 areas you are concerned about could likely be revised with only a small amount of local anesthesia, as a outpatient procedure with minimal recovery.  Address your concerns with your plastic surgeon.  Most plastic surgeon want their patient to be happy and so would likely revise these areas at minimal or no cost.

HI there, thanks for the question. As a surgeon, one of the most difficult (and often stressful!) aspects of a face lift is the earlobe. It is the part of the incision that we all tend to look at. For me, I'm a bit obsessive about it and spend alot of time ensuring they are equal, symmetrical and have a nice appearance. The limitation is, we can rarely make them look like they did before the surgery. There are always going to be changes in your earlobe. Our goal as surgeons, is to get as close to the normal and natural appearance without a complication. One of the feared complications is called a "Pixie ear" which can look very unnatural. I must admit, i think you have a good result based on your photo's and I personally would be happy with this but obviously this is a personal preference on your part. My advice would be to speak to your surgeon and see what can be done. We can always, at least in most cases, fix minor changes but I often caution people that sometimes if you try to make a good result perfect, you end up with a worse problem. Although we all strive for perfection, it is not always possible to achieve. I hope you eventually get the result you desire, Dr James P. Bonaparte, MD, MSc, FRCSCOtolaryngology - Head and Neck SurgeonFacial Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryAssistant ProfessorUniversity of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

Overall, I think you have a good result (from the pictures I see, and not including your preoperative photos.)I am assuming these are both post-op photos of each ear...yes it would be best if the ears looked the same on each side, and I see the little "hilltop" that you pointed out. This could be fixed surgically--so yes it is possible. I wouldn't think it would cost too much though it's hard to quote a price. If you choose not to do anything at all, however, I don't think it is a problem that would be obvious to anyone but you. 

I would have to look at your photos taken before
the surgery, but it appears that you have two reasons for the asymmetry. The
mid and upper portions of your ear appear to have some differences that are
typically not created by surgery itself. The lower “tab” portion of your
ears seem to be distorted by the incision and/or scar tissue. That is an
easy fix and your surgeon can likely to this in 30 minutes or so in the office under local anesthesia.

You are healing nicely, and the revision surgery (if you desire one) should not be complicated or expensive. Consult with your surgeon as he or she knows the scope of the original surgery and the specifics about you. If your surgeon still does not fee that you need a revision, consult in person with 3 other experienced and expert board certified plastic surgeons to understand your options.

wait at least six more months before you consider any surgical revision. Much of the thickness of the scar will settle by then and even if you need a revision, it will be much less involved.