Most people who have facelift are happy with the outcome. Still there are a number of things that can go wrong. This is a list of some of the possible problems.
Bleeding and hematoma: this can be anything from excessive bruising to a collection of blood called a hematoma. A hematoma may require additional surgery. Bleeding is more common in men.
- GENERAL INFORMATION
- Before and after photographs of a facelift
- Postoperative directions for care and recovery after a facelift
- Mini-facelift
- How is a Facelift Done?
- Facelift Complications
- Nerve Injury After A Facelift
- Second facelift
- FAQs about facelifts
- Witch's chin deformity
- Causes of neck fullness below the chin or obtuse cervicomental angle
- Treatment of the prominent nasolabial fold
- Sample Facelift Permit
Nerve injury: both motor (nerves that cause muscles to move) and sensory (feeling) nerves can be damaged during a facelift. Damage to the motor nerves may cause paralysis of a part or all of the face. If a sensory nerve is cut it produces numbness and sometimes chronic pain due to neuroma formation.
Swelling or edema: there is always some swelling after a facelift but a small group of patients develops persistent swelling that may take several weeks to resolve.
Infection: because of the excellent blood supply of the head and neck infection is very rare after a facelift. However it is develops it can be a serious complication It is more common if a hematoma develops.
Loss of skin: necrosis or loss of skin can occur after a facelift. It is most common behind the ear and in smokers.
Changes in the skin: during surgery the skin is stretched and this can cause some changes in the skin itself, including increased pigment and persistent bruises. Small spider veins (telangiectasia), present before surgery, may become more noticeable. In older patients and those with thin skin, it is quite easy to damage the skin during surgery by perforating it with small instruments.
Heavy scar: most of the incision is concealed and not a problem. If it becomes noticeable and thicker in front of the ear it is a problem. It is most likely to be heavy behind the ear where there is greater tension.
Changes in the hair: alopecia or loss of hair can develop in areas where there is undermining or separation of scalp from the deep tissue. This can damage the hair follicles. When the skin is pulled back it can also change the hairline. The most obvious example of this is in men where the sideburns may be changed.
Unnatural appearance: there are several reasons why an unnatural result may occur after a facelift. One problem is the development of a "pixie" earlobe where the earlobe does not hang naturally. Another is the development of an adam's apple appearance in a woman, caused by excess tightening and removal of fat in the neck. If the skin or underlying muscle are pulled too tightly it often creates a pulled appearance in the mid-face. Excessive removal of fat can cause contour irregularities. A stretched or unnatural appearance becomes more common with repeated facelifts.
Early recurrence: in older patients, and those with poor elasticity, the results may be satisfactory or even dramatic but they may not last very long. Early secondary surgery is sometimes need. Unless warned of this in advance these patients may be disappointed with their result. The good news is that the secondary surgery often maintains the result for a long time.
Dissatisfaction with result: not everyone who has a facelift likes the result but fortunately for patient and doctor, most people are glad they had the surgery.
Pain in the ear: most people have pain in and around the ear for a few days after a facelift. This usually gets better in a week or two.