Some swelling is expected after facelift surgery, regardless of the approach/technique used. As previously stated, the swelling generally improves significantly in 10 to 14 days such that most individuals can return to their normal daily routine with some exercise restrictions. Swelling is expected to continue to improve and resolve over a period of weeks. One possible explanation for this is that the lymphatic drainage system is temporarily affected by facelift surgery. The lymphatic drainage system, located all over the body, removes body fluid from tissue and returns it to the blood. The lymphatic drainage system helps improve and resolve swelling. One small study from Aesthetic Surgery Journal in 2012 evaluated the lymphatic drainage system in 3 patients who underwent a facelift (4). Lymphoscintigraphy was performed prior to surgery and at multiple time points after surgery on these patients. Lymphoscintigraphy involves the use of a material that is injected into tissue and which is absorbed by the lymphatic drainage system and can be detected on imaging. The study demonstrated that the locations for the lymphatic fluid to drain was restricted to areas under the jaw immediately after facelift surgery. The patients realized an improvement in lymphatic drainage by 3 months after surgery and a normalization of the drainage patterns by 6 months. This is a possible explanation as to why swelling in the area under the jaw, called the submental space, can take slightly longer to resolve than in other areas with any facelift approach/technique.