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6 Weeks Post Facelift: Right Side Palsy - What Can I Do?

asked 1 year ago by Linda in SC
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 899 times
Tags: eyes, smile, 1 month post-op, blink, options, recovery, timing

43 Days After Mid face lift. Right Side Palsy, Can't Smile, Eye Won't Blink.

Surgeons Said Should Recover..may Take Months. Getting depressed. Eye tearing

17 answers to 6 Weeks Post Facelift: Right Side Palsy - What Can I Do?

Face Lift and Facial Nerve Injury

I'm sorry to hear about your diffuclties recovering from a facelift. It is not uncommon to have temporary facial nerve injury following a facelift; in fact, this happens in about 1% of patients. Fortunately for you, facial nerve palsy and facial muscle weakness following a facelift is almost always temporary, with full recovery by 3-6 months. The injury to the facial nerve is usually secondary to stretching or bruising and is unlikely to require futher surgery for... more

Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Face Lift and complications such as Nerve injuries

Well I can tell the fear and trepidation in your voice. This is a very sensitive subject and requires handling with the utmost in care. The word of the day is reassurance, reassurance, and reassurance. Most all injuries of this type are temporary. I just worked one of my own patients through a difficult period with a similar situation and at 3-4 months we were fine. Its very doubtful that the nerve was actually cut. Sometimes as the surgeon injects some of the numbing medicine a nerve can be... more

Charles Virden, MD
Reno Plastic Surgeon

www.virdenmd.com

See your surgeon, consider a second opinion...

I am sorry to hear about your problems following Facelift surgery. It sounds like you have a facial nerve injury, this can either be temporary or permanent. Fortunately most injuries are temporary, usually a stretch injury. I would have a frank discussion with your surgeon. You may also consider getting a second opinion from an Otolaryngologist, ideally a neuro-otologist. There are case reports of Bell's palsy at the time of a Facelift that are un-related to the surgery itself. Also, a... more

Ivan Wayne, MD
Oklahoma City Facial Plastic Surgeon

6 weeks after midface lift

Although it is hard to tell without seeing your pictures what you are describing is likely going to improve over months (6-12). In the meantime there are measures to help you with your eye tearing that your surgeon can discuss with you

Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Face Lift

At 6 weeks, your nerve may be bruised. You may want to get another opinion from a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to evaluate your face and provide you with another opinion. Too many opinions can be a problem so avoid that pitfall. Stay in touch with your surgeon and ask for more information on the progress thus far.

Vivek Bansal, MD
Danville Plastic Surgeon

Facelift - 6 Weeks Post Facelift: Right Side Palsy - What Can I Do?

There isn't anything you can do but, fortunately, most situations such as these resolve adequately on their own. I am, of course, very sorry that are having this problem. Nerve injuries are known to occur with this, and many other, surgical procedures of the face and neck. It is most likely due to blunt trauma and stretching of the nerves, and the symptoms you're describing are typical of an injury to several portions of the facial nerve. Stretching, bruising,... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Palsy and eyes not blinking

You have already gotten wonderful (free) advice on this forum. I would like to add that while the eye is not closing or blinking properly, I recommend that you make certain that you are keeping it well lubricated with artificial tears and ointments. IMHO, I am not sure that you even need another opinion. Your doctor is right in that it almost (not 100%) will improve with 6-12 months of healing.

Lawrence Kass, MD
Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.kassmd.com

Facial Nerve Injury after Facelift

I'm sure this is a very trying and frightening time for you. Facial Nerve Injuries during facelift surgery is very unusual and most likely this is a temporary injury. The most important function of the facial nerve is to protect the eyes. Consider seeing an opthalmologist to maintain the integrity of your cornea to minimize any visual problems. Nerves can recover as soon as 4 weeks or can take as long as several months. The most important thing is to remain... more

Mike Majmundar, MD
Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facial palsy after midface lift should get better with time

This prediction is based on assuming the facial palsy is due to traction injury at a relatively far place from the origin of the facial nerve. The closer the injury is to the origin (brain) of the nerve the worse the injury. This may take up to 6 months to get better. If you are having some movement now the chances are better. You can always write me with any questions. We can do a phone or video consult! Wish you well! Thanks for reading, Dr Young see video

Philip Young, MD
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facial Palsy 6 weeks after Fcelift requires expert evaluation and treatment

I am very sorry to hear of your difficulty. It is true that the majority of Facial Nerve injuries causing facial weakness after Facelift do recover. However certain steps should be taken to intervene in the process to increase the chances of a successful recovery. First ask your doctor is he/she will consult a Neurologist to determine the exact extent of the injury. It sounds as though 2 branches are injured-the Zygomatic Branch to the eye and the Buccal Branch to the mid face and mouth.... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

Facial weakness after Face Lift

At 6 weeks, this is cause for concern and you should see a neurologist for facial nerve stimulation as well as an opthalmologist for proper eye lubrication and protection to avoid corneal ulceration and damage. The nerve function may return and or improve over the next 3-6 months but you would still want to protect your corneas during that period of time. Hope this helps. In the meantime, you might consider tryiing to move your face and close your eyes to help... more

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

6 Weeks Post Facelift: Right Side Palsy - What Can I Do?

Unfortunately it does take time to have return of the function of the facial muscles sometimes up to 6 months. There are tests that can be done to determine the status of the nerve.

Mohsen Tavoussi, MD, DO
Huntington Beach Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facial Nerve Issue After Mid-Face Lift

The question describes as facial nerve palsy after a mid face lift. The incidence of neuropraxia is higher in a subsperiosteal mid-face lift than it is for a SMAS based Facelift (jawline, neck). The good news is that the majority of neurporaxias resolve spontaneously; 45 days is still well within the window where recovery is possible. The biggest concern you have right now is inability to close your eye. I would use artificial tears (Refresh, systane) liberally, apply... more

Stephen Prendiville, MD
Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drprendiville.com

Face Lift with Facial nerve injury

I sympathize with your anxiety over your post operative facial weakness/paralysis. Most important is the immediate management of your eye tearing. Your eye tearing can signify corneal exposure from the incomplete eye lid closure. I would suggest you consider seeing an Ophthalmologist to evaluate and manage this symptom. There are many methods to performing a MID FACE LIFT. Since the damage to the nerve involves the eye and mouth it was unlikely an endoscopic procedure. As the... more

Richard W. Maloney, MD
Naples Facial Plastic Surgeon

Considering seeing a facial paralysis expert

Please make sure you see your surgeon regularly. You may also want to get an opinion from a facial paralysis expert. If you are in the LA area please feel free to schedule a consultation at my facial paralysis institute in beverly hills. see video

Babak Azizzadeh, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Eye tearing

43 Days After Mid face lift. Right Side Palsy, Can't Smile, Eye Won't Blink. Surgeons Said Should Recover..may Take Months. Getting depressed. Eye tearing I have read all the responses and they are all correct. bottom line is almost everyone gets better without intervention. I am a little concerned that you did not describe a little flicker of recovery noted yet. Also I am worried about exposure of your cornea especially at night. you should be taping at night using... more

Rafael C. Cabrera, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Midface Lift and Paralysis

It is understandable that you feel blue during your complicated recovery. You experiencing demage to branches of your facial nerve. The most vulnerable branch in midface lift surgery (if the midface is approached through an incision within the temple hair or as part of a brow lift) is the temporal branch. This nerve allows you to raise your brows in addition to other animations around the eyes. It sounds like that you have injury to the buccal branches which are necessary... more