After lower facelift/neck lift, still numb after 10 months

I had neck lift surgery in August of 2002. After all these years I still feel like I have a cardboard collar on. There is severe pain in my entire neck and down into my chest, up both sides of my face, up the back of my neck to the top of my head. I have headaches every day. I went back to the Plastic Surgeon after one year and he said there was nothing wrong with the procedure. I tried massage therapy for the first six months or so. This has affected most every area of my life - wish I had never had the surgery. At the end of each day I'm so exhausted from just dealing with the pain. I believe there is severe nerve damage and much scar tissue beneath the surface of my skin, which feels like it is spreading. Sorry to sound so negative and I know there is always hope but I would not recommend this procedure to anyone. I would like to add that the comment from 9/23/10 is very encouraging.

After 2 years I too have tingling in the face, but massaging the face while i watch tv helps. The problem is the tightness I believe other persons can see it, but not so. This is the effect of vainness and it is here to stay. lll

wish I had read this site before having my necklift....would never have had it. Having said that, I don't feel too bad at present, (10 days), however there may be some problems with scar tissue due to previous threads. I totally agree that massage (if anything) will give the best outcome.....good luck everyone

I find it difficult to sympathise with those who complain about numbness and tightness in the face post facelift. I had full face lift 10 years ago, leaving me with some permanent numbness in the cheeks. I had another facelift plus lower eyelids plus neck lift on 25 October 2010, which has left me with more numbness and tightness in the cheeks but ... come on .... it's not painful! Surely, even if this is permanent, it is a small price to pay for the miracle performed in just a few hours to make you look 10-20 years younger!? In fact, it's constant reminder that one has paid a lot of money to make the face 'tighter' so why complain that it feels tight? Obviously, I sympathise with those of you who have serious disfiguring problems, but PLEASE ... next time you feel unhappy about a bit of numbness or tightness .... just LOOK IN THE MIRROR and SMILE. :-D

I would recommend trying to do 15 minute ice packs. It worked for my friend about a year ago. Hope that helps.

I just had the same procedure and have the same results also 4wks post op. I see you responded last year was hoping you could tell me your outcome?Greatly appreciate the response!

I am like you. I still have a little numbness along my face in front of the ears on on my neck but I would defiantely do it again after looking at my before and after pics. It took ten yrs off my looks.

I just had a necklift and mini FL. It will be 3 weeks tomorrow since surgery. I have the exact same problem you wrote about. Did it go away for you? How long did it take? I am so depressed about losing my smile and weird speech.

I after 8 months have tightness and feel like a noose around my neck more frequently and am not 100% pleased with the work done. But eventhough I paid 8,000 I guess I got what I paid for. It did not take any years off but at least the saggy skin is gone for now. A friend of mine had this work done twice 3 years apart and looks great but still looks her age, again you get what you pay for. A facelift is not a lower neck lift as was discribed to me and I have told the doctor this. All doctors will repeat to a patient, it will get better and in a few months will revisit what we can do.

Wow, I feel so fortunate! I had the best doctor, Naficy in Bellevue, WA. It will be 6 mo. next week after having brow,face/neck lift, lower bleph, neck lipo, fat transfer and laser resurfacing around my eyes. I feel and look amazing. The numbness is nearly gone as the nerves heal, which is a slow process.I have nothing but praise for the work done on me. It is so imperative to do extensive research when choosing a doctor.

Hi, I am having all of the problems with neck tightness and extreme pain around my ears. Its been 20 months since my surgery. I have had steroid shots and try to massage the area you mentioned but not enough it seems. Where do you live and who did the massage. I am ready to try anything. Thanks, for your help.

I also am having exactly the same things going on Cannot smilecorrectly. Mostly on the right side. Left side seems ok. Had lift 3 weeks ago. I go back in early June (At 6 weeks) Hope I am better by that time. I am worried also, but feel I should give it time????

mine is herendous and im frightened it isnt goin to get better help

Please be patient> I also had a crooked smile for a few weeks and it scared the bejeebies out of me. It quietly corrected itself and yours will too. three weeks is too soon to judge. I am just now at 6 mo and friends tell me I am still changing for the better. Considering what I had done, that's a whole lot of trauma for a little face. It's doing the best it can. hang in there and watch the beauty unfold. :-)