I had a facelift 6 weeks ago and I seem to have more lumps and bumps under the skin each week. My face does not look smooth at all and one lump will go and another one pops up, at present I have about 5 on my face. The doctor said they will eventually go and to continue massaging them. I massage for hours and the lumps disappear and then return a few minutes later. It is embarrassing walking around looking like gonzillas cousin, not to mention trying to find a reason for the lumps when someone asks. My face is still numb and the scars are still very prominent. There was no way after two weeks could I have gone back to work, even at the third week mark I was still bruised on the right side of my face. There has been no pain at all but since the surgery I have not slept very well only a few hours a night. It could be that I am stressed and nervous about the lumps and bumps. I
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I'm 3 weeks post-op from necklift, lower facelift, upper and lower lid lifts, and brow lift, along with laser skin resurfacing! Before doing any of this, I researched extensively using multiple resources in order to gain a fully informed opinion of what I was getting into. Then, I carefully chose a PS after multiple personal recommendations, personal consultations and further research. Only then was I prepared to make a choice and I am very pleased with the outcome. I recommend the same for anyone considering plastic surgery. It is a serious medical procedure often minimized by way of healing time in order not to dissuade working people without time off necessary to heal and be presentable. Recovery can take months, even a full year for all affects to heal. The flesh is incised; tissue and fat is moved around; sutured and stapled; banded, bruised, beaten, burned and essentially traumatized! Then, the skin is redraped over suitably repositioned tissue and sewn closed to heal. The healing process isn't a quick thing. So, prepare for the process by doing some research, choosing an excellent surgeon, and then allowing the necessary time to heal property. You will be pleased and not emotionally drained by doing these things prior to having plastic surgery. Best wishes!
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Hello! I'm just into the second week of my MACS recovery and came across this web site whilst looking for some mutual comfort, encouragement and general TLC! I'm amazed at the speed in which I'm recovering, but I still have some concerns, which as I can see from the postings, are share by all of us. It's good just to know I'm not alone, and I now know that it doesn't matter how much faith we have in our surgeon, there are some facts which we're not always told about prior to the anesthetic! If there's anyone out there who can give some reassurance that the developing hard lumps around my right eye, fear of smiling, sore throat and general hamster features are just temporary, it would be much appreciated! Thanks, and best wishes to everyone.
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Hello! I'm just wondering how you are feeling now? I'm almost 4 weeks into my face lift recovery now, and experiencing all the things you spoke about. I would love to know how this last year has treated you. Best wishes, Jane
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I like the way this person summed it up. Healing takes time, and also, your age, general health, attitude, habits, and fitness play a big role in how the healing progess goes. Logic tells me that the extend of the surgery, and the plastic surgeon's skills, and after care procedures also play a major role.
I just had a lower eye-lid Bllb, TCA peel, short flap cheek & neck lift with jowl liposuction at age 48, and recovery was swift and suprisingly painless. I have not experienced any extreme pulling, nor numbness, except slighly on the auricles (boy of the ears), but I can definitely feel them when I grasp them. There is a slight sensation of soreness with pressure on both ears, almost as if they were bruised, but again, only if I press on them with my fingers, or lay on them for a while.
I have two hard areas right in front of my ears, perpendicular to the hinges of my jaw, and I suspect that this is the point where the underlaying muscle tissue has been pulled up and tighned. I'd be interested to know whether there are sutures in that spot. These two hard areas a somewhat visible, and you can feel them if you palpate the area with your fingers.
I have noticed that one ear lobe is a bit fleshier than the other. I cannot say that the tighter one is a classic pixie ear. Other people probably won't even notice the difference, I am sure. I can see it because I am actually looking and comparing the two in front of a mirror. I might mention it on my 6 weeks follow up visit with the plastic surgeon.
If you'd like to see a few pics, here they are:
Few hours after the surgery:
1st day post-op:
3rd day post-op:
3rd day post-op - the ears:
5th day-post op:
6th day:
6th day the ear:
10th day:
14th day the ear:
16th day:
18th day:
Oh... here is a before pic:
I just had a lower eye-lid Bllb, TCA peel, short flap cheek & neck lift with jowl liposuction at age 48, and recovery was swift and suprisingly painless. I have not experienced any extreme pulling, nor numbness, except slighly on the auricles (boy of the ears), but I can definitely feel them when I grasp them. There is a slight sensation of soreness with pressure on both ears, almost as if they were bruised, but again, only if I press on them with my fingers, or lay on them for a while.
I have two hard areas right in front of my ears, perpendicular to the hinges of my jaw, and I suspect that this is the point where the underlaying muscle tissue has been pulled up and tighned. I'd be interested to know whether there are sutures in that spot. These two hard areas a somewhat visible, and you can feel them if you palpate the area with your fingers.
I have noticed that one ear lobe is a bit fleshier than the other. I cannot say that the tighter one is a classic pixie ear. Other people probably won't even notice the difference, I am sure. I can see it because I am actually looking and comparing the two in front of a mirror. I might mention it on my 6 weeks follow up visit with the plastic surgeon.
If you'd like to see a few pics, here they are:
Few hours after the surgery:
1st day post-op:
3rd day post-op:
3rd day post-op - the ears:
5th day-post op:
6th day:
6th day the ear:
10th day:
14th day the ear:
16th day:
18th day:
Oh... here is a before pic:
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"A picture is worth a thousand words." Thank you for posting your photos, which are very informative and helpful. I'm nine days post op, and it's good to see what someone else has experienced.
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I started back at work last night on a midnight shift which I haven't worked midnights in almost 30 years. I really seem to have swelled up. I find it frustrating and wonder if others find this, One day things seem good and swelling minimal and you think you are on your way to recovery. Then for no reason at all, my neck starts to feel prickly and hot and wah lah, its puffy again. Around my ears is very hard. I don't seem to have the lumps and bumps reported here. Maybe you describe it as lump, I have a couple, but mostly its just swollen. My ears and jaw line is extremely sensative to the touch. I'm massaging though.
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I am at 3 1/2 weeks post surgery, chin lift and eyes. I too had no idea the after effects would be so severe. Not really painful, although I have been waking up with headaches, but just really uncomfortable and for me frightening. I feel like my head is made of wood.
My neck is so tight that at times I feel I'm being strangled, the sides of my cheeks, my ears and my entire neck and chin are completely numb.
I think I read in one of the posts it takes a year for the nerves to recover - is that true?
Also, my the skin over my left eye seems swollen, way more that my right eye. Could this be normal post surgical swelling?
I feel self conscious, especially becauseof my left eye which I think looks strange and certainly creates a sense constant eye strain.
Another side effect, I can't get my contacts out. I use gas permeable contacts and had to go get one of the little plunger deals to be able to remove my contacts.
People say my neck and chin look great, and the wrinkles are pretty much gone from my face - which I'll like when I start feeling more normal.
My neck is so tight that at times I feel I'm being strangled, the sides of my cheeks, my ears and my entire neck and chin are completely numb.
I think I read in one of the posts it takes a year for the nerves to recover - is that true?
Also, my the skin over my left eye seems swollen, way more that my right eye. Could this be normal post surgical swelling?
I feel self conscious, especially becauseof my left eye which I think looks strange and certainly creates a sense constant eye strain.
Another side effect, I can't get my contacts out. I use gas permeable contacts and had to go get one of the little plunger deals to be able to remove my contacts.
People say my neck and chin look great, and the wrinkles are pretty much gone from my face - which I'll like when I start feeling more normal.
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Thanks for submitting your photos. You look much younger. Do you know what type of facelift you had? I've been reading on the subject and I'm confused with the SMAS, deep plane, short incision, S-incision, full facelift, endoscopic facelift, etc. And who was your surgeon? Thanks.
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Bless you Elaine for the pictures. I am having a jowl and neck lift and chemical peel around the mouth in 2 days. I'm 57 and generally healthy with good skin. I went to a hypnotherapist for help with healing, attitude and pain. If I can get back ot this site, I will post how that worked.
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Thank you all for sharing your experiences. It helps to know that what I am experiencing is not uncommon. I had a face and neck lift 2 weeks ago and upper eye surgery. I think the eyes are healing fine. The scars are slightly raised and numb to the touch but not too visible. What is the hardest is the tightness around the neck and the swelling on the sides of my face, which gives me a weird look. I know I need to be patient, please tell me again that this will get better! I think this third week is the hardest because I had read that people go back to work between 2 and 3 weeks, and I don't see how I could face people looking like I do now. So I can't help but wonder if this is normal. Does anyone with this surgery still wears the head wrap? I still do because when I take it off, it feels like there is a rope around my neck, pulling. Wearing the head wrap provides me support. Also, I think when I wear it, I don't have to see exactly what I look like. It helps me hide.
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I am 3 and a half weeks into "mini facelift" Was supposed to correct my downturned mouth. I was also supposed to get a "filler" I am disappointed at the results. The anesthethetist told me that I should be "so grateful and that I got such a great lift". She is paid to say that to intimidate people into not complaining about their unsatisfactory results....I will tell the Dr. when I see him in person in a week or so that I am not happy. Let's see what happens. I was not told about any drainage tubes or any incisions in my scalp. I was told the entire procedure would be 45 minutes, it took over two hours...I would NEVER go through this again, for free and if the results were perfect....My left eye was black and blue and I couldn't open it. The Dr. couldn't figure out why other than that he said he sutured my eyes closed during surgery....I wasn't told about that either....No one from that office has called to see how I am doing....they got there money and that is that......
Not one person has noticed anything different about me....not one. I didn't tell anyone about the surgery and it's a good thing I didn't.
Not one person has noticed anything different about me....not one. I didn't tell anyone about the surgery and it's a good thing I didn't.
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i am 7 weeks post op mini facelift with fat transfer to the cheeks. i'm sorry to say, though my face looks great, i am still in pain. i have had constant throbbing, pullling and pressure in front of my ears and behind since day 1. i also have experienced internal swelling in that area and down along my jawline. my ps said i may be having an allergic reaction to the internal sutures. week 6 he put me on prednisone. it helped control the swelling a bit, but the constant pressure remains. this week he told me to see a neurologist and eye, nose and throat dr. my gp gave me nerve pain meds and an antibiotic to try and calm things down. wow, who knew it would be like this? i expected to be back to work and loving life again by now. instead, i'm from my bed to the couch because i'm in constant pain. i hope to wake up from this nightmare soon and tell everyone it was totally worth it. right now i'm feeling like i missed 7 weeks of living.
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I am having a facelift this upcoming Friday. Thank You all for sharing your comment especially if they are complaints! I now have a better idea what to expect. Hang in there! I guess it's like having a baby-absolutely unbearable for awhile but so worth it! Iit is important to verbalize fear and pain rather than "just deal with it". Disregard the person who said to just deal with the pain, obviously & sadly she has not been shown much compassion in her life. I have been doing research regarding this and this is the first site where I have found this type of information. So again Thank You Ladies and Good Luck.
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Good Luck with your upcoming surgery. I had a face lift, brow lift, upper and lower eyes, neck and erbium peel the beginning of January, I went thru a ton of different emotions, I went to the Dr's office in tears, had may emotional breakdowns along the way. My husband has been very supportive thru all of this and I am very greatful for that. I didnt look at myself in the mirror for 3 days and was shocked when I finally did. Not a pretty thing. l have been keeping a photo and written journal of my experience and someday will put a scrapbook together. Seems pretty barbaric when I think of all that was done and I am hoping that someday I can say it was all worth it. I havent had any complications out of the ordinary but its alot to go thru and I wish you the best of luck.
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