Pain after SMAS face lift

I am six days into a SMAS and mid face lift. I look absolutely fine and I have no nerve paralysis although I have numbness round the side of my face and ears. My worry is that on the right side of my face I am experiencing red hot stabbing pain as if somebody is taking a knife and cutting at my face. it is controlled by pain killers but once they wear off the pain returns. Please can you help me to understand whether this is normal, what it is and how long it might take to return to normal? The left side of my face is not affected in this way.

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

I find that most patients have limited discomfort after several days post surgery due to swelling - which results in the numbness.  It is not clear what the source of your pain is and it is best evaluated by your surgeon.