Can Muscle Compensation Be a Long-term Effect of Botox?

asked 3 years ago by Chr021490 in Middletown, CT
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 666 times

I have this problem. It's as if some muscles got STRONGER to make up for the atrophy on the left side of my face, even though my last treatment was more than a year ago.

All the time, but especially when I smile, my whole left eye area protrudes and under my left eye, the cheek/eye area looks oddly plump and slightly turned up. Also, my left eyelid area is a bit swollen and slightly droopy. I have been to doctor for blood tests to rule out thyroid, kidney, and liver issues. Have had dentist look and rule out teeth problems. Went to eye doctor and also had MRI to make sure eyes were healthy and that there was no mass. Will these side effects ever go away? What can I do to fix this? Is there a way to help facial/eye muscles get back to normal? Thank you for your help!

5 answers to Can Muscle Compensation Be a Long-term Effect of Botox?

Can Botox make my face uneven?

Hi Chr021490. If your last Botox injection was over a year ago, it seems unlikely that the symptoms you are describing are related. We're also wondering what area of the face you had Botox injected. For patients, it's above, in between or at the outside of the eyes. Are you relating these problems to "crow's feet" injections at the outer eye? This would seem to be the only possible related injection area, but the results would have worn off so long ago as to most likely rule... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Eye symptoms and botox

I would say that if you had Botox more than a year ago, it is unlikely that your symptoms are related to Botox.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Muscle compensation is likely not from Botox!

One thing is possible regarding your situation. Sometimes, people don't notice things about themselves until they actually get something done. This is a common thing that happens. When you get something done, like Botox, you tend to look at certain parts of your face more closely and notice things that used to be there before. That is why doctors have become used to pointing things out to people so that this doesn't happen after the particular procedure. We are asymmetric for many... more

Philip Young, MD
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

You need to continue evaluation as you are doing for other possible causes

These symptoms are unusual from Botox stand point and the underlying issue could be other medical conditions. It appears that you are being followed up closely and are undergoing testing for this condition.

Amir Moradi, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox is not likelyu the cause.

The symptoms and findings you describe are quite unusual and should not be related to Botox. However, I am sure you have questions about this because the timeing seems right. I would continue to see your physicians in close follow up to ensure that there are no other medical conditions which could be responsible for your current condition. Generally, all effects of Botox should dissipate after 5 months. It seems very unlikely that it is responsible.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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