I'm ten days out from a lower SMAS facelift and necklift. At least, I *thought* I was also getting a necklift. I got the platysmaplasty (which I'm happy about) and the facelift scars go in front of my ear, along the top of the tragus, around the lobe and up the back about a half inch. My jawline looks GREAT. My neck is slightly improved to the eye but still pretty crepey. I can still easily pick up a bit of skin, and not just at the bottom of my neck near my chest, but also near the top.

I brought it up to the plastic surgeon on day 7 when the stitches were removed. He reminded me that he had told me (and he did) that this wouldn't improve the decollatage area, and that there were other things to do to improve the neck skin (peels, retin a, etc).

I read posts from people where the neck is way too tight - I obviously have the opposite problem and don't want to complain too much. I wanted a natural, unpulled look, and did not want pixie ears, either. But I'm concerned that in a year or two my neck's not going to look good at all. When I turn my head certain ways my neck still looks a little "googly." I don't feel like I had much of a necklift. Thoughts?

sorry you didn't get the results you wanted. can't help you with that 'cause I hadn't had my "mini" yet but if you wouldn't mind answering a question for me. I'm having mine done in a week and a half. My incision will also my pre-tragul. How long before you could go out without the incision and bruising being too noticiable? I realize it's different for everyone but I'm curious. I have fairly long and pretty thick hair and am hoping I'm can keep my ears covered by a week after my mini and not have anyone really notice... at least the incision part of it anyway. thanks and hope you get some help for your question.

You know, I wouldn't say the incision is "pre-tragal." Nor is it post-tragal - it's really almost in between - it runs along the edge of the tragus. I think he does this to keep from the post-tragal issues while still keeping the scar discreet. I'm happy with that.

My incisions look great 12 days out. They're pink, but very easily hidden with concealer. I like Lancome's for my ear scars because it's got a great very light consistency but covers extremely well. I have just a touch of bruising left under my chin from the lipo with the platysmaplasty, and Dermablend covers that great and dries to a nice finish. You should get that stuff ahead of time to match your skin in the areas you'll need it.

I also have long hair, and as my surgeon pointed out, people really are looking at your eyes, not your ears. Which if you think about it, is true. The stitches were clear and barely visible and I went out with the stitches in - hair down, huge scarf around my neck. Stitches were out on day 7 and I took it easy that day, but used makeup on the scars the next day. I'm really just concerned about if the wind blows my hair back and making my scars visible, so luckily it's winter and I can wear a scarf over my head/ears and around my neck!

Jenit, I'm one day behind you (post 11 days). I had a short scar mini with the stiches similar to yours. The pre-tragal insisions on me look really good so far. I'm confident they will be virtually invisible in a few weeks. The few stitches behind my ear will take longer.
I also had a fat transfer in cheek area so I'm still pretty swollen. I have a lot of bruising on my right side due to hematoma which was aspirated (suctioned with needle) on Friday. The doctor never said "hematoma" though. The left side of face looks really good with minimal brusing. However, there is still a lot of yellowish bruising down my neck to clavicle area which could easliy be covered by scarf or turtleneck. I'm sure this will subside within a few days. I go back on Friday for doc to check right side. I hope it heals on it's own without further aspiration. The area is very lumpy and swollen looking. I also have lumpy/swollen area under chin (platysmaplasty). Hence, I am not really presentable to go out yet. As soon as my right side looks a bit better, I'm going out with makeup and scarf.

Sorry to hear you are not thrilled with your neck. It's hard to tell what you mean without a picture. My jawline and profile look so much better even thought it's swollen. The loose skin under my chin was my biggest issue, so yes, I can see reults already.

ibelieve,

I just posted a few pics to give you an idea on how different healing can be. In my case two sides of my face are like night and day! The pics are poor quality because they were taken with my phone (feeling lazy!) but you get the idea... pm or email for password.
Sarafina

Sarafina, I have a question for you - what does that lump under your chin feel like? My PS advises me that it will go away, and acts like it's really common, but I'm a little concerned about it. It's not a rock-hard lump but *definitely* much firmer than the area around it. It's just slightly off-center from the platysmaplasty incision, and is definitely under the scar. Did your PS say anything about that? Mine said heat and light massage at this point (13 days p/o). Any thoughts?

I never brought it up to the surgeon on Friday. My big concern then was the swelling and bruising on side of face. The under chin area didn't start to bother me until a couple days ago. I don't know what it is but I'm guessing it's common . I won't know until this next Friday when I go back for check up.

Jenit - Thanks for the reply. The thought of the wind blowing crossed my mind too! I've read about Lancombe cover-up and I plan on getting some tomorrow. Really interesting about your incision too. I remember, while doing research on placement of fl incisions, a ps saying that's how he/she placed them. I was wondering how that would looked. I'm glad you're happy with it!

Sarafina wrote:ibelieve,

I just posted a few pics to give you an idea on how different healing can be. In my case two sides of my face are like night and day! The pics are poor quality because they were taken with my phone (feeling lazy!) but you get the idea... pm or email for password.
Sarafina

Hi Sarafina -

I realize it does differ very much for each individual. I just hope I one of the lucky quick healers! I would love to see your pics - and thanks for the offer. (I'll send you a pm).

I think I'm a quick healer. I'm using heat a couple of times a day for about an hour on the swollen spots, and they're going down quickly in the last couple of days since I started that. My p/s said heat brings more blood into the area and blood flow is what takes away the blood debris in bruises and the fluids in swelling It really seems to make a huge difference. For several days everything was the same, and since I've been using heat things are going down quickly.

It's funny, because on my upper bleph 18 months ago I was a bleeder with blood pooling under my eyes quite a bit. But on my lower f/l I had very minimal yellowing on my upper jaws, and the only bruising was under my chin from the platysmaplasty lipo done there. I did stop taking any nsaids (advil, aspirin, aleve) three or four weeks before the surgery this time, and only did that for about 10 days before the bleph, so maybe that was why the bruising was so much less this time.