Patients do complain of a feeling of fullness in the ears or pain in the ears for the first few days after surgery. This is caused by swelling, and improves fairly quickly. Most of my patients take prescription pain medication for the first couple of days before transitioning to Motrin or Tylenol.
As the nerve endings regenerate and awaken, they are occasionally irritable, causing patient discomfort. The nerve reconnection process can take from two to six months, but the uncomfortable sensations should diminish in the first month after surgery.
The term “pixie ear” refers to a possible complication following facelift surgery. When it occurs, the earlobe essentially looks stretched. It can also cause detached earlobes to look attached. For those who know what to look for, it can be a dead giveaway of a facelift.
Unfortunately, one of the most common results of an amateurish facelift procedure is distortion of the ear. Because facelift incisions are made around and in the ear, care is required to avoid distortion of any portion of the ear or the sideburn or hairline around the ear.
You'll likely feel the most discomfort your first day, so you should take pain medications to stay on top of it.
You will feel some pain for 2 to 4 days after surgery. You may have some trouble opening your mouth for several days. The skin around the incisions probably will be numb. You may have some itching or shooting pain as the feeling returns.
Beginning on day 2 or 3, light walking is recommended to help promote blood flow which speeds healing. Short, easy walks is the only form of exercise that should be undertaken. Many patients start to feel less discomfort over the first few weeks as bruising and swelling subsides.
An additional factor to consider in regard to earlobes is the changes that can occur after facelift surgery. It is so common to see changes to the earlobe that can be improved after facelift because some techniques will really drag the earlobe downward.
How long does it take for nerves to heal after a facelift? Facial nerve sensation will largely be restored within one to two weeks post-op; the neck area may take up to six weeks. Most patients will recover full feeling throughout their face within a few months, but it can take up to 12 months for some.
All of the muscles encountered in facelifting, including the platysma, orbicularis oculi, zygomaticus major and minor, and risorius muscles, belong to the superficial group [24].
A collection of blood (hematoma) under the skin is the most common complication of a face-lift. A hematoma causes swelling and pressure. It usually forms within 24 hours of surgery. When a hematoma forms, prompt treatment with surgery helps prevent damage to the skin and other tissues.
You should feel back to normal after a month and not have irritation or pain around your skin. You can also get back to your various regular activities at this point, although the bruising and numbness could take up to a year to fully clear.
The great auricular nerve (GAN) is the most commonly injured nerve during facelift surgery with a reported incidence as high as 7%. To avoid injury, great care should be taken when elevating the lateral postauricular skin flap.
[7] The frontal and marginal mandibular branches of the facial nerve are the most commonly injured motor nerves during rhytidectomy.
After a Facelift is performed, there is often some redness on the skin behind the ear. The skin behind the ear and neck is often thicker with more attachments to the muscle underneath. Also, bruising tends to build up in this area after a Facelift. In most people, this will fade after a few weeks.
In facelift procedures, the earlobe is dissected and separated from its base. It is then sutured at the end of the procedure so that its postoperative shape is natural and well rounded, without downward stretching due to pulling of the submandibular and cervical tissues.
In general, the results from your facelift will look very good after about 1-month and you'll look your best at 6 months. A facelift can produce long-lasting results for years to come. And while everyone has a unique aging process, many of my patients don't feel they need more work for 12-14 years.
These numb sensations typically resolve in 3-6 weeks, although in some cases numbness, especially along the incisions, may last for several months.
You can typically expect the worst of the swelling and bruising around day 3-4, after which you will start to see incremental improvements over the course of several weeks.
AVOID BENDING OVER OR LIFTING heavy things for one week. Besides aggravating swelling, this may raise the blood pressure and start hemorrhage. AVOID HITTING OR BUMPING YOUR FACE, HEAD AND NECK. It is wise not to pick up small children and you should sleep alone for one week after your operation.
Starting the day after surgery, use a moisturizing barrier like Aquaphor three times a day for two weeks. Use a silicone-based cream that contains sun-protection, like Elta MD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, twice per day for three months.
Will I be able to smile after a facelift? Yes. Your face will feel somewhat tight for the first week or two after the surgery, and you may have some difficulty smiling. This will go away, and patients will be able to expose their smile and enjoy their rejuvenated appearance.
While the recovery timeline can vary from patient to patient, most people are generally able to resume front or side-sleeping after 2 – 4 weeks.