Facial redness and lumps 2.5 years after facelift and rhinoplasty (photos)

Question

I had a facelift and rhinoplasty in October 2020. Within a month I noticed lumps on both cheeks near the cheekbones. The area at times also becomes neon red. When I work out, it looks like I have raised, red strips painted on my cheeks. I have seen countless doctors and no one seems to know what it is or what to do. They are not malar bags (there was no sign on them before the surgery) and it's not infected. I've had BBL, Halo, filler, etc. Nothing works. Suggestions?

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. It sounds like you have been dealing with a frustrating issue since your surgery. Without more information and a physical examination, it's challenging to provide a definitive answer. However, here are some possibilities to consider:

-Scar tissue: It's possible that the lumps on your cheeks are due to scar tissue formation after your facelift and rhinoplasty. Scar tissue can form when the body heals after surgery or an injury. In some cases, the scar tissue can be visible and palpable, and it can cause redness and inflammation in the surrounding tissue.
-Allergic reaction: It's possible that you are experiencing an allergic reaction to one of the products used during your surgery or to one of the cosmetic treatments you received afterward. Some people are allergic to certain types of sutures, for example, or to the filler material used in injectable treatments.
-Rosacea: Another possibility is that you have developed rosacea, a skin condition that causes redness, inflammation, and small, visible blood vessels on the face. Rosacea can be triggered by a variety of factors, including stress, exercise, and exposure to certain foods or environmental irritants.

My suggestion would be to seek out a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who specializes in facial surgery and skin conditions. They may be able to offer you more insight into what is causing your symptoms and recommend a course of treatment. In the meantime, you may want to avoid any activities or products that seem to exacerbate your symptoms, such as strenuous exercise or certain types of skincare products.

Best of luck !

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Please post pictures that show the lumps on the facelift and find out if you had fat transfer done to your face

Robert Oliver Jr., MD · Answer

My hunch is that's a foreign body response. As it's so demarcated my guess would be it might be from some fillers along the orbital rim.  Some people have experienced this kind of thing after COVID infection/vaccination

An MRI can probably give you an idea of that, or you could try a hyaluronidase injection (an enzyme that dissolves HA fillers) to one side and assess the response

Facial redness and lumps 2.5 years after facelift and rhinoplasty (photos)

Answers (3)

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