Swelling under chin after Ultherapy on jowls and under my chin 5 days post op. Is this normal?

Post Ultherapy swelling is not uncommon, especially when the physician provides a comprehensive treatment to soft tissue in the lower face. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Los Angeles

Usually, the external devices that deliver energy to the subcutaneous and connective tissue layers, do not risk bleeding underneath the skin. Minimally invasive procedures such as ThermiTight and Liposuction can cause some bleeding underneath the skin and compression garments may minimize bruising and bleeding. They may also minimize swelling and the swelling from minimally invasive procedures is usually more than from the external devices such as Ultherapy, Thermage etc.  However some times compression will limit the swelling from these external treatments too.  If a compression garment is too tight, especially around the seams, then sometimes the upper cheeks that are not compressed can swell significantly and this can be annoying to the patient. Although significant swelling does not occur after Ultherapy, it certainly does happen on occasion and possibly gentle compression may help but the treating physician is the only provider that should authorize such.The information provided in Dr. Shelton's
answer is for educational purposes only and is not intended
to constitute medical advice. The information provided should
not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with a qualified
health professional who may be familiar with your individual medical
needs.

Since I am not able to assess your severity of
swelling in person, it’s hard to say how much more than average swelling you
were experiencing or if it was not much of a concern. It sounded like you are
experiencing more swelling than expected, however I have had a few patients
still feel they were swollen for 5-6 days out, this was probably the longest I
have had any patients report swelling. If your treatment was focused in that
area & or your just prone to swelling, I wouldn’t find this to be of
serious concern. Any longer than 6-7 days and we would have you come in for
evaluation. I can only assume the steroids that your doctor prescribed were
helpful. In addition, I would have recommended ibuprofen, and topical and oral
arnica. In addition, as one suggested below, sleeping on your back propped up,
is a great way to prevent & treat swelling in the facial area. We have never recommend a facial wrap or compression after Ultherapy. Thank you.

The question you ask is an important one in that it is a surgical dictum during training not to wrap things like the neck in a circumferential manner as it could potentially restrict blood flow through the carotid artery system to the brain (very unlikely). Potentially life threatening asphyxiation due to airway compromise is probably the most important reason not to do what you did (unlikely but possible). As a cardiovascular surgeon, I would tell you the most important reason is that you have to go circumferential to wrap your neck to achieve what you want to achieve and even light pressure can restrict venous OUTFLOW from the head (brain, scalp, face, neck) and this could make the swelling much worse.So, these are the reasons not to do what you did. I have done hundreds of Ultherapy procedures and wound never recommend what you did. Prop up your head on 2 pillows at night, take bioflavonoids (Swell-X) and the swelling will subside. Give it time. This is lymphatic swelling and it may take 2-3 weeks to subside. Read the Ultherapy book on the link below.