Lumps, bumps, and hard spots after cosmetic surgery for a facelift or neck lift are common and temporary. Other aspects of the recovery from these procedures have been covered in my educational writings. But this writing is dedicated to this common but benign issue. I will cover all the relevant issues to this aspect of the overall recovery from a facelift. It was written at the request of a patient from Media, PA.
What are These Lumps and Bumps?
A facelift and neck lift are cosmetic plastic surgery operations to make the face and neck younger, more attractive, and more youthful. They are operations I specialize in performing, and they are some of my favorite ones to do. Youthful and natural results are goals of the surgery. My specialty is my LAVVNDR LIFT. It is a trilaminar, composite, deep plane facelift that I describe in detail in other educational writings on my web page. I have also reviewed the recovery from these facial operations in other educational writings, but this one will focus on lumps, bumps, and hard spots. You can link now to a writing on the “general recovery” from a facelift.
The typical recovery is characterized by bruising and swelling but minimal pain. This makes most people happy, because pain is what people fear. But it’s takes time to let the bruising and swelling resolve. I tell my patients that “hibernation” is necessary to let this go away. But sometimes during this recovery process patients will get hard bumps. It can be a source of concern and anxiety. But don’t fret or worry, because these go away.
These bumps or lumps are localized areas of swelling. Localized means one area and not the whole face. They are relatively common and minor. In my experience they occur about 2-10 % of patients. They can typically be only felt, but sometimes you can see them too. They are firm and not soft. The common size is about 1-2 cm or about a pea size to half a walnut. They occur in any area of the surgery from the cheeks to the neck location.
Why Do They Occur?
They are actually the residual or “left over” from more diverse or wide spread swelling. After a facelift, the whole face and neck get swollen. As it resolves, it gets absorbed by the body. But it also coalesces. This means it pools or puddles in a few spots. The lymphatics of the body take away this swelling and also some blood. But as this process happens, some areas can get these lumps, bumps, and hard spots. It’s actually very normal. It’s part of the normal physiology of healing of the face.
Another way to describe these spots is with an analogy. Think of your driveway after a heavy rain. The whole driveway is wet and covered with the water. As it dries out, the driveway gets dry except for typically a few low level spots where the water accumulates and puddles, taking longer to evaporate. The lumps and bumps after a facelift can be thought of as these puddling areas on your driveway. The lymphatics and the natural healing leads to little spots where the fluid lingers and accumulates.
Treatment and Clinical Course:
The treatment for these spots is very easy. I recommend gentle massage and pressure 3-5 times a day. This massage takes about 5 minutes at a time. The massage and pressure is done to the hard spot. It’s gentle! I tell my patients don’t push too hard, as this could hurt it and prolong the resolution. Straight pressure is applied with a finger or thumb. Slight circular motions can also be added. Bio Oil is recommended as a healing lotion, and this can help your fingers slide easily. Be gentle, as I have said, because too much pressure doesn’t help and can hurt it.
The clinical course is one where the spots just gradually go away over 2-4 weeks. They always go away, so please don’t worry. They can take their time resolving which is a bit frustrating. Makeup can be worn to help hide any visible spots. Regular office visits with me in the office are recommended to keep a close eye on your healing and progress.
Summary:
The regular recovery after a facelift is characterized by bruising and swelling. Most patients don’t have that much discomfort or pain. The low level of pain is reassuring to the vast major of people. During this recovery, people will occasionally develop small areas of lumps, bumps, and hard spots. These small spots are where fluid and swelling have localized or coalesced. They actually are common but completely benign. Treatment is gentle massage and pressure application to the area. The usual coarse is one where these spots just gradually go away. Successful resolution is the typical anticipated result of these small and benign lumps.
