Dealing with swellings and hematomas after facelift

KarenNMexico · Newbie Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 2

My surgery was May 3rd. I developed several hematomas and have had them drained three times. The swelling is still very noticable. I am on medication, however, it just doesn't seem to be working. I've been using a heating pad carefully for several days and doing facial massages being careful not to stretch the skin. I still have lots of numbness... of which doesn't surprise me nor bothers me much. Actually sort of glad since I never feel the draining procedure when it's done.
Has anyone else had to deal with hematomas? I just wish there was a quicker way to get rid of them. Hopefully I will not have to go back into surgery. I have two reunions to attend in mid and late Juy. I sure hope to be looking a lot better than I do now!
Interesting how no one seems to have been prepared for the length of time it takes to recuperate from the surgery. Do we not ask enough questions or do doctors just sort of skim over that part?
The depression was certainly a surprise to me, however, I think much of it is due to a lack of sleep and having to sleep on my back... something I have never liked.
Thank goodness I found this site. Wish I had found it earlier!
Good luck to all who are recuperating.

KarenNMexico · Newbie Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 2

It's June 8 and still having problems with the hematomas. Very little reduction in size. So discouraged! Will see the doctor on Monday. What I have to be careful with is making sure they do not become as hard as a rock. That means more surgery. I have also learned not to use warm compresses. We may need to use ultrasound treatment.

Anita1961 · Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 1

Hey,, I had surgery on Jan 17 and ended up back in the OR on the 29th for an emergency incision and drainage of a hematoma,,,turns out I blew a temporal artery,,,pretty scary. I think I over did it,, not taking the proper precautions for bending and lifting. And yes if feels like the swelling is taking forever to subside...I feel a tingling sensation, prickley, my face feels like it swells and then not..

Does anyone else get these sensations? I feel lucky "an artery" counting my blessing, and almost wishing I didn't have the surgery, but too late now and making the best of it....

Amy 00 · Newbie Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 1

Mimi11 · Newbie Joined: 17 May 2008 Posts: 1

I just read your message from 3/21/08. I had a facelift on May 6. I was not at all prepared for what was going to happen to my face/neck/ears. The swelling comes and goes but mostly stays. There are hard places in my cheeks and especially under my jaw. The worst thing, though is my ears. They have been swollen and hard and there is a big lump of scar tissue in the back of my ears from top to bottom. I wonder if I will ever be able to wear earrings again. I was expecting the bruising (which is just about gone now), but not the extent of the swelling/hardness. Can you give me some hope for the future since it has been four months since your surgery?

Would like to hear from anyone. Thanks so much.

qoftheu · Newbie Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

Hi to all above.
Backstory: 50 y/o F. June 13 had necklift/minilift with lipo, upper and lower bleph, endotine brow lift, botox, and CO2 laser.
So... Swelling -- oh boy, yes inDEED! The MAIN reason I went in was cuz I HATED my neck and now I look like I have a chubby double chin! NOT the effect I was hoping for! LOL And hardness you say?!?! Oh ya... big time. And weird pulling under my ears if I turn my head to fast or too hard. Is it a hematoma under my chin -- prolly. And that's just a pool of blood and MOST of the time they disipate on their own -- but it's part of the healing process. No need to worry unless it's been 6 months... then you just might need it surgically drained -- and after what we've been thru, that's a cake walk!
Eyes are GREAT... except for the SWELLING. ESPECIALLY in the inner corners -- I get these sacs of fluid in the corners every morning -- all stretched out -- they look like little pillows! UG-LY. I have to push on them during the day to force the fluids out. And my lids are WAY puffy.
Laser is fabulous!
Some things I learned (and some are pretty good I think):
1) by FAR the BEST thing to put on your face AFTER the laser has peeled is A&D ointment -- it is the ONLY thing I've found that actually moisturizes my skin especially under my eyes where the laser seems to have done a very thorough job! I had dry skin to start with so it's been a life saver... and no, vaseline and aquaphor just weren't' enough (post laser I mean).
2) forget sleeping horizontal for a loooooong time -- unless you like that stuffed sausage look! From others I've spoken too they said just get over it and accept that it takes about EIGHT weeks till you can lie less than a 45 degree angle and not get swelling. And I have a great bed so it's killing me!
3) hard and tight is a GOOD thing. Cuz in about six months, which is how long it takes to get to the point where you actually feel normal again, your skin/muscle will have stretched a little to accommodate your new face -- and you don't want it to be saggy at that point! IT WILL GET BETTER!!! Your lumps will go away, the hardness will dissipate, you'll be able to smile again and not feel like a walking case of rictus!
4) those lumps behind your ears etc, will ALL relax as your new face begins to fit itself -- remember -- we've just traumatized ourselves BIG TIME -- if we'd been in a car accident or something we wouldn't be expecting to be all better after 3/4 weeks or even 3/4 months, but cuz our expectations are so high we figured we'd have immediate results!
5) I researched the daylights outa every procedure I was getting so I was totally prepared for the tightness, bruising, hardness, numbness, depression, 'regret' etc. Knowing it was coming I was prepared so when I find myself feeling blue and asking wtf did I do, I can calm myself down... ok that an occasional Xanax, but that's what it's there for!
Ladies -- we just need to have FAITH. It will all work out. I'm sure that the majority of us will be able to post HAPPY things here 6 months from now. Even when I go out now with makeup (d'oh!), people comment on how rested I look -- how good the summer must be (I'm a teacher), etc. so I know it's working so far.
Healing is a long hard process. Drink OODLES of water (if your urine is yellow you're not drinking enough -- it should be clear), cuz that's how you flush toxins outa your body. Eat a VERY well balanced diet without salt. Take a 23/30 min walk daily. Sleep sitting up. MOISTURIZE. Ice yourself if you're too puffy. Take ibuprofen regularly for inflammation. And think POSITIVE THOUGHTS... You're going to be beautiful and look great and it will be worth it!
Ok -- thump -- that's the sound of me jumping down offa my soap box, but I hope this helped at least a little... keep smiling!

qoftheu · Newbie Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

Guest · Guest

I had a combination lift done July 7th. I don't know if this is common or not, but I had a shiner on one side. My right jaw looked like I'd been in a bar room brawl.

It has been 18 days and the color is just starting to fade, but it is still has a lump and is a little colorful, although it has started turning yellow, which I think is good.It is still a little tinder too. My other side looks pretty good, but I have a little swelling there too with a couple of random bumps.

I had my eyes done too, and they look pretty good, but you can still see a thin red line. The corners are a little puffy, and one of my eye lids is a little puffy still.

What bugs me most is the tight pulling sensation behind my ears and my neck. My ears feel numb still at the top, and it is really hard to sleep, because I am a side sleeper. I didn't realize that my ears would feel like this. Anybody know how long this lasts?

I have been putting Vitamin K cream on my jaw, and I don't know if it is helping or if time is the biggest healer.
I am using vitamin e cream on my scars and they are looking pretty good.

I just never thought it would take this long to settle down. Especially with the swelling and the tightness. I sure hope the tightness behind my ears in my lower neck muscles relaxes a little. Does anyone have any clues about this?

Dealing with swellings and hematomas after facelift

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