I'm 9 Weeks Post Op Following a Face/neck Lift with Significate Pain Around my Ears, Face and Neck (Under Entire Jaw Line)?

When the skin is separated from the underlying tissues during surgery, small sensory #nerves are cut. Varying degrees of numbness will be present after surgery and will improve gradually as the nerves reconnect to the skin. This process can take from 2-6 months for face, neck and cheeks, and to 9-12 months for the forehead and scalp. Muscle weakness may also be present around the mouth especially if liposuction is used. This typically recovers fully in the months after surgery. 
As the nerves regenerate, the itching, burning, tingling and shooting #sensations will occur. Ice, moisturizers and gentle #massaging are helpful during this phase of the #healing process. Frequently there is a tight feeling in the neck, jawline and cheek after a facelift. During surgery, not only the skin but the underlying muscles are tightened to create a better and longer lasting result. 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. Some degree of firmness or lumpiness under the skin is normal after surgery and will resolve with time. Local massage will speed resolution of this problem, which normally takes 2-4 months to disappear completely. If you ever 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.

Pain after surgery is normal, and it is generally well controlled by medication prescribed by your surgeon. If you are concerned about the level of pain you're experiencing, it's safer for you to see your surgeon just in case.

Generally speaking, it can take 6 to 12 months to completely heal after surgery. Please keep in touch with your surgeon or his/her clinical team to discuss your ongoing concerns.

   Although this may only be temporary, Neurontin or Lyrica may be beneficial during the recovery period.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

What you describe could be a form of neuralgia. Neuralgia results from irritation to a nerve, and can be caused by trauma to an area, including surgery. Symptoms may appear as follow:

1) Your skin may be more sensitive in the area of the irritated nerve
2) You may have sharp shooting pains along the affected nerve
3) You may feel numbness along the nerve

 

Anti-inflammatory medications such as naproxen or ibuprofen may help, and there are also specific medications that can address the neuralgia.  This is an issue that usually takes care of itself fairly quickly, and the best thing you can do for now is control the pain and symptoms of the condition.  At this point, I would recommend following up with your surgeon to discuss your symptoms. He or she may be able to recommend some treatment options or provide a referral to a pain specialist that will make you more comfortable. Thanks and good luck!

It sounds like your doctor is doing all the right things. Musle relaxants are definitely one thing I would stick too. There are also other medications that could help your discomfort like nortryptiline, valium, etc. Possibly carbamazepine could help to if it is of neural origin. You also could be developing more scars. Steroid injections could help as well. This will get better with time. Your plastic surgeon will hold your hand through it all.

Sounds like post op neuralgia. It resolves with time but to help you until then I would recommend lyrica or neurontin. The nerves have been irritated and need time to settle.

Judging by the quality and the location of your pain, it sounds like a postoperative neuralgia.  The sensory nerve that supplies sensation to the areas you are complaining about is in the area of surgical dissection and might have been irritated by the procedure.  I assume there are no signs of infection such as redness, discharge, fever, etc. Anti-neuralgia medications such as Neurontin, Carbamazepine, or Lyrica are a valid option at this time.  These symptoms should resolved once the nerve function returns to normal.

I agree . This will decrease and probably stop in time. Lyrica and neurontin should help in the meantime. It is only a temporary annoyance

 The severe burning sensation sounds like you may be developing hypertrophic scars along the Face Lift incision lines.  You should go back to the plastic and cosmetic surgeon to evaluate how the scars are healing and to recommend treatment if they are the cause of your discomfort.  Burning or itching along the incision lines is and indication of an over active healing response and hypertrophic scar tissue formation that requires treatment and intervention.