Question
I am 3 weeks post op today with mid face lift, /mmh/product/facelift/index.vm?procid=7" target=_blank>neck lift with /mmh/product/liposuction/index.vm?procid=9" target=_blank>lipo and u/l blep. One side of my face is ALOT more swollen than the other, I still have stiff cheeks, there are hard lumps in my neck and right jawline, my neck is still bruised and I still have a place under my left ear from the incision that hasn't completely closed. Saw PS and he barely looks at me and said give it time. Is this normal healing? I am about ready to panic, thank God I am not working, I could never go back to work looking like this! Any Advise!


Answer
Bren, One side is a lot more swollen--are you sleeping on that side? Or maybe turning your head that directions when you sleep?
Many people have posted on here that one side is more swollen than the other but I don't know about A LOT MORE.
My surgery was 2-06, today I am 3 weeks two days post op. All my incisions are closed, and my brusing is gone but I still have swelling along incision lines on both side and my right side is more swollen than left. My right eyebrow does not raise nearly as high as my left. It's a /mmh/product/scar_reduction/index.vm?procid=42" target=_blank>scarry ride. We all heal differently.
Are you keeping neosporin on you yet to close incision?
Sorry you ps has poor bedside manner. Hopefully his skill is ok.
Hang in there. Best Wishes!


Answer
saggyface and bren202,
My surgery was 2-07 and f/l b/l /eyes and I too still have swelling. Or at least I hope this is swelling. Somedays by noon it goes down some but is right back the next day. I'm still sleeping propped up, although the one night I just used two /mmh/product/pillow/index.vm?procid=39" target=_blank>pillows and I didn't see any difference. The main reason I kept propping up is because I tend to turn onto my side. My left side is more swollen and has been from the first day. That is the side I normally sleep on. humm.
I was wondering, I know there are a lot of us at about the 3 week mark. I haven't seen my swelling going down much this week. Of course this is my week to retain fluid. I wonder if that has anything to do with it. Are the rest of you at 3 weeks still have chubby cheek?
I'm wondering if that's going to be my new look.
I have walked this week and now I'm thinking I better just wait until the swelling goes down. I would really like to see if this is it, or what I'm going to look like.
I would love to hear how the rest of you have progressed this week. jmoon2


Answer
jmoon, I think it is normal for us to still be quite swollen in the cheek area after only three weeks. From what I have read here, it seems you sometimes don't really get the full effect until one year after surgery. I'm glad I didn't have to go back to normal routine at ten days like some of the brave ladies here. I looked like a ballonhead


Answer
Bren, I am at six weeks now, and my neck and upper cheeks are still swollen, although not quite as much as at three weeks. You are just starting to heal now, don't forget, this was a major shock to your system. I did not have much bruising, but my swelling was so bad that I had to wear that awful headgear until three weeks after surgery. But it prevented lumps forming in my neck and was worth it. My surgery was on 19 Jan, and I can now slowly see some results. I finally gave up the third pillow, it was not comfortable and kept interrupting my sleep. I do use two pillows and always have.
Hang in there, you will see some changes soon.
Schlippi


Answer
My surgery was 2-08, today I am 3 weeks three days post op. I had a mini lift and I look great. It is friday evening and I have been working all week!
All my incisions are closed, and haven't had any bruising, but I still have some swelling, not much, along incision lines on both sides. My left side upper cheek is a little swollen and both cheeks are somewhat stiff. I cover remaining scabs with my hair. I still sleep on my back and I use only one pillow. Normally I don't use a pillow at all or a very flat one. To sum up, I am doing fine if it wasn't for that numb feeling in front of my ears. Then many of us write about this sensation. Oasis