4 Weeks Post-op Facelift--left Side Doing Well--right Side Has Huge Lump Behind Right Ear. Will It Heal?

Linda

A facelift covers a lot of territory.  Healing does take many months.  Typically the face goes through healing process that can make the tissue under the skin feel lump bumpy.  This will be at its worst 6-8 weeks after surgery.  After that things do soften.  It is not unusual for the problems you are describing to soften and be much less dramatic as time passes.  Even wrinkles that look like they may need touch up surgery can soften and disappear with time.  That may not speed up the process but it doe sound like your surgeon is closely following you and often there is nothing like the tincture of time.

It is very difficult to answer your question without seeing your pictures but 4 weeks is still relatively early in healing process after your surgery.  There are still irritated nerves and tight muscles.  Be patient and continue to follow up with your surgeon as directed.

 

 

Scars must mature and swelling must decrease after a facelift before you can see the full result.  Having said that, things should be looking significantly improved by one month -- at least things should be looking symmetric.

Make sure you keep returning to your physician to be given directions on healing.

The complete healing process following most facelifts progresses over several months.  While most of  the obvious bruising and swelling should dissipate after two to three weeks, it is not unusual to have areas which are firm and somewhat bumpy for a longer period.  Massage does help these areas to improve faster, sometimes it is helpful to use localized steroid injections.  Close follow up with your surgeon should help obtain the fastest resolution.

Unfortunately, many mass marketing cosmetic companies have peppered the airwaves with commercials advertising amazing facelift results with little to no down time. Unfortunately, this is completely false. A facelift if a very effective procedure that can produce fantastic results. In order to achieve these results there is a lot dissection in the face as well as the neck. The muscle layer of the face is manipulated and anchored in order to provide the strength of the lift. The result of the surgical manipulation is a lot of swelling that can require several month to completely resolve.

I advise my patients that they can usually transition back to their daily routine after 10-14 days as long as they avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting. I also advise that there may be areas of swelling that can take a few months to heal. I would visit with your surgeon, show him/her the areas that you are concerned about. I would anticipate that you will have a full recovery with great results but it takes time.

 

Sounds like you may have a problem that will need revision. You need to wait at least 6 months before going back to do revision work.