I have bruising and skin bunching 3 months after a MACS Facelift. Will it resolve?

   MACS facelift utilizes pursestring sutures and a shorter scar.  The vertical pull and nature of the pursestrings has to be done in a very precise manner to avoid distortion.  Ask your surgoen what can be done.  If you are looking for a revision after about 6 months or so, find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who understands the complexities of many facelift techniques and can move between them.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

You need to make a consultation with a facelift specialist to evaluate your condition. You may need a revision facelift to reposition your SMAS in a correct way.  If you need help please contact our office

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). 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. However, if you have certain concerns about the procedures and #healing process, it is best to call your board-certified surgeon or their medical staff and discuss those #concerns.

You should discuss your concerns with your operating surgeon. At 3 months, your bruising should be gone. The other distortions you describe warrant a careful evaluation and if not better with time, may need to be revised.

Without photos and an exam as well as reviewing your surgical note details it is not possible to give accurate opinions or advice. I suggest that you return to your plastic surgeon with your concerns.

While admirable, miniaturized operations have to be properly applied. The more skin removed the longer the incisions have to be – end of story. When trying to remove a large amount of skin through small incision gathering up of the remaining skin is inevitable. The only solution is to lengthen the incision and remove the surplus. Your other issues could be addressed the same time.

You may need a revision concerning the bunching of skin.  The bruising should have resolved.  You will need to see your surgeon concerning that issue.  Sounds like the fat transfers are not distributed well.  Again your surgeon will need to develop a plan for you.

MACS facelifts like any other procedure have certain indications which it would be useful.  It is not a facelift for all.

Dr. ES

Only your surgeon can answer your questions without me examining you directly to see what I think is going on. Get a second opinion if u r still not happy after u see your surgeon. 

 Most patients are very well healed  3 months after a traditional  SMAS face lift. The bruising that is present on the cheeks may be due to iron  pigment deposit in the skin from previous bruising, also known as hemosiderinosis. It is best to return  to your original surgeon to figure out  how to address the asymmetry and irregularity is present from the surgery

I am personally not a fan of the macs facelift as I don't like the vertical pull on the skin or the heavy duty plication sutures in the SMAS substituting for a SMAS flap.  I'd suggest you go back to your doctor for an exam and if you have lost confidence, seek another opinion. You should have been mostly healed by now.