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12 Weeks After my Face Lift and Rigth Eyebrow/ Forehead is Still Paralyzed, Will this be Permanent?

asked 6 months ago by MariaF1
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 187 times
Tags: 3 months post-op, nerve damage, paralysis

The doctor that performed the face lift is very capable and has a very good reputation, so i keep trying to convince myself that the nerve was not cut, but just damaged. The concern is that 12 weeks had passed after the surgery and the eyebrow is still totally paralyzed. If nerve was severed, and doesn’t regenerate, is there a surgery to fix it? I don't want to do Botox on the other side and make both eyes look the same because it looks droopy. Thank you very much

8 answers to 12 Weeks After my Face Lift and Rigth Eyebrow/ Forehead is Still Paralyzed, Will this be Permanent?

Nerve damage after face lift

It is difficult to say if your nerve will return. I have seen this branch of the facial nerve, on occasion, be very very slow to return. In 23 years, I have seen 3 patients take 6 months to return. I actually have never seen one not return, although it certainly can happen. I wish you the best and I sincerely believe there is room for hope. If you still have no movement at the 6 month period, then unfortunately you may have a permanent problem that is difficult, if not impossible... more

Jay Burns, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

There may be a nerve damage

You should start to see improvements if the nerve is intact. If the nerve is cut, you need exploration and attempt to repair the damaged nerve( very hard but possible). Your surgeon would know where to explore.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Nerve weakness after lift

The condition you are describing is from damage to the frontal branch of the facial nerve that gives the signal to your forehead muscle to lift your eyebrow. Be patient, since any of these injuries improve with time and can take up to 6 months. Botox to the normal side may help with asymmetry until function returns on the affected side.

Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelift complication

Thank you for the question. It is possible to bruise the nerves of the face during a facelift. It sounds like your frontal (temporal) branch was either bruised or cut. Mimetic function may return. Exploration is not indicated.

Jacob Freiman, MD
Miami Beach Plastic Surgeon

Facelift - 12 Weeks After Face Lift; Right Eyebrow/ Forehead Still Paralyzed

I'm obviously very sorry to hear this. It is not unheard to have weakness of muscle areas for several weeks to months after surgery such as this (ie, a facelift). Fortunately, most have a functional return on their own. This process often takes several weeks to months, and can easily take from 3-6 months. Beyond that, though, the likelihood of full return diminishes, though there are reports of it taking up to a year. It is difficult to correct a... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Damaged nerve after a facelift

Dear patient, it may take up to one year for your nerve to recover and for movement to come back. If the problem does persist, you may be a candidate for a brow lift. Botox may also help but it is best you consult a professinoal. Best of luck.

Teanoosh Zadeh, MD
Montreal Plastic Surgeon

Paralysis of Eyebrow/Forehead 12 Weeks Post Facelift

In the medical literature there are reports of nerve recovery up to 1 year after nerve injury. I suggest you have a consultation with a neurologist. Your surgeon is the best person to answer your question because he/she knows the exact technique and the level of dissection used in your surgery. Unfortunately, little can be done at this time.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon