Question
Am finding some comfort in knowing that I am not alone in my predicament. I am 20 months post-op face lift. My face is still swollen and my right ear lobe is still numb. I cannot tolerate being in an enviroment that is even slightly warm or my face becomes very hot and flushed. At night I sleep with my head in an elevated position and wear a face support otherwise the tightness across my throat is too tight and I feel like I am choking.
Has anyone else ever experienced these symptoms or got any words of wisdom that might help me?


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Hi Laurr
Sorry to hear you still have numb patches. What does your ps say?
Are you, by any chance going through perimenopause or menopause? Sounds like classic symptoms to me.
rose


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I too am at 20 months and I am not feeling normal either.
Are you slowly getting better because that is the only thing that keeps me from losing my mind i.e. I am slowly improving.
There are some of us who have been on this board who have similar problems.
I am still having pulling and tightening behind my ears and along my jaw bone.
I have just had a few really bad days but I have observed that this is always followed by a slight regresssion of the abnormal areas.
There has not been a single day in the last 20 months that I don't have to think about what I did to myself and it is exhausting , depressing and frustrating!!!!
I AM SOOO SICK OF FEELING LIKE THIS AND I PRAY IT WILL NOT LAST FOREVER.
I sympathise greatly with you.
Ladydoc


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I'm only seven weeks past and the tightness under my jaw and behind my ears is annoying to say the least..I have a burning too..It's not unbearable but I just wish it would go away already..I guess it won't for awhile..I don't have the choking or strangling sensation but I have a very tight feeling..Mine feels like I have a tight bandage on under my chin and it's attached to my ears somehow..I also have an area that's under my ear but at the top of the jaw where your jaw hinges that is tight to feel and is tender..I think it's where she attached my platysma muscle to the mastoid bone..It also feels uncomfortable..I also can't look all the way up as I feel that muscle is shortened and the ps said I need to keep massaging it but it's tender..I could live with this if everything else works out like my ear incisions...Behind my ear it's still crusty and occasionally I bleed there because of the tension she placed there..I truly think everything will eventually work out..Time is the key..I wish we had a crystal ball and knew when that time was because it sure would be easier..Jo


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Hi Ladydoc, and Larr too. So sorry you're having some extra bad days. I am suffering from my latest dermabrasion and peel...look like I laid my face on a griddle, and yes, it's pretty uncomfortable, so it keeps my mind off the "other thing"----Larr, I agree with the comment about maybe hot flashes, as I remember mine used to take over part of my neck, and scalp and last a while. Let's HOPE that's what it is (smile). Ladydoc, always remember when you have these bad few days, the whole thing seems to relax a bit thereafter. I think that's the way it goes with me too. I've become extremely sensitive to WIND....I was out chatting with a neighbor last week and the chilly wind stiffened me up for two days...I could have kicked myself for not coming inside the minute I felt it. I think we must learn to avoid extremes...cold, heat, wind, exhaustion. Oh--and AIRPLANES.
I now cope with this by having my "visual" of the whole sheets of muscles under my skin having been picked up and STRRETCHHHHED and pulled like putting a tight fitted sheet on a mattress, and nailed into that position. The only exercise those muscles get to re-stretch are maybe smiling...otherwise they are going to take a LONG TIME to relax again. As long as I "know" what it is, I find it less irritating. I'm almost at 10 months, and the way you and Julc and a few others are going, I'm looking at even more time. I know the nerve deadness and wooden feeling between my breasts after my replacement FIVE YEARS AGO is just now getting to feel "normal"----I've long ago given up listening to the "rules" about nerve regeneration!
JustJo, you have a LONG LONG ways to go. Sit back, buckle in, and enjoy the ride! It may be a long one.


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Hello Laurr - I am at three years post op and at 20 months did not have all the symptons you mention but some. Did not have the swelling problem and although I had neck tightness I did not feel like I was choking although I have heard several others mention the choking feeling. The numbness probably did not totally leave my left left earlobe for 2-1/2 years. However, during that time it was gradually coming around. Did not stay totally numb. Being outside in extreme hot is a bother still but sounds like you are talking about even just the slightest warm.
I think some of us just take longer to recover than others. I would wonder, as ladydoc does, if you feel you are gradually getting better or have you been at a standstill for months? I ever so slowly improved to the point where I was never really concerned that it would be forever. Even now I will still have a bad day here and there but they are fewer and further between.
It was been a much longer journey that I ever dreamed it would be and didn't know I was signing on for it when I did it. Fortunately, I was retired at the time and didn't have to worry about my job. Don't know how you working gals do it.
Something kinda funny to tell - I catch myself often "playing with my ears", that is running my finger up and down behind them, bending them all around, etc. The only reason I do it is "just because I can". When you go so long thinking you will never purposely move your ears again that is a big treat!! Also, the first time you discover, when using the restroom, that you can again hold your blouse up by dipping your chin and holding it to your chest while you zip up your pants. Now, that was something to celebrate my friends and if you can't do it now you will be able to again someday. Such simple things you miss when you can't do them.
All I can say is that it is just a darn good thing that I am happy with how I look. If I went through all that for nothing ---- well don't know what I would do since we sign our lives away before we have it. Dear lawyer daughter said "Mama, don't you dare sign those papers". Sure glad it worked out.


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Hi Laurr
I am also having good days and bad days. I am nearly 14 months out from face lift and lower /mmh/product/eyelidsurgery/index.vm?procid=6" target=_blank>eyes. I find if I have alot to drink ie alcohol, the next day my face is stiff and aches. I see gradual improvement, and like Ladydoc experience a few intense days followed by relaxation. No point in a/mmh/product/beauty/index.vm?procid=13" target=_blank>sking my ps, he just shrugs and says it will pass!
2dogs...5 Years...yikes. Still, if I knew it was going to end, then at least I would be happy. Its the not knowing...the `what if I`m like this forever`
I look at pictures of myself, and I do look more refreshed, but I do think I should have grown old gracefully. Would I do it again........not bloody likely!
I have numb places, and one side is more tight then the other. I just assume that it will go at some point, but its so gradual. When its really tight, I get a dull ache and a headache.....
Maybe when the tightness goes my face will drop off!!!
jules


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I am only 6 weeks post op and am finally starting to be able to move my head around without feeling so uncomfortable. I do feel all those feelings described numbness, stiffness and tightness and at times worse than others. I can't believe I was told 10 days! And I was feeling bad because I have not been back to work at my 12 hour shift job. I go back in 2 weeks and I thought I would be ready but these comments are scaring me. I think I would have waited had I known the recovery was so lengthy. Just starting to feel better but am discouraged to think it will take so long before all these sensations go away. The next time someone tells me I look good, I will bite my tongue but I would like to say FOR ALL THIS I HAD BETTER LOOK GOOD, Thanks ladies for all your imput.


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Haven't had a facelift but have suffered from severe flushing from Rosacea, brought on by menapause. Had some medical intervention that reduced symptoms a lot but can also suggest coating your face with balmex -can pick this up whereever baby supplies are sold. Also purchased a small desk fan that I keep on a table next to the bed. I can relate- its miserable.