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Botox - How Long Before Numbness and Drooping Wears Off?

I have had Botox previously and they only did inbetween my eyebrows and the few lines above that area. Now, I went back and the new DR there, injected my entire forehead and my upper lip. I have no feeling whatsoever in those areas.

Not only do I have the droopy eyelids, I can not feel my upper lip. I am having trouble eating, drinking etc. I can't even whistle! What can I do?? I had no problems from the first treatment 8 months ago. Do I have to wait that long without feeling in my face and not being able to eat or drink or even smile right?

Asked 41 months ago by shawneesbrat in chandler, az
Sort 14 expert answers by:
+1

I can't feel my upper lip from Botox!

Hi Shawneesbrat. It sounds like the practitioner that just injected is lacking in the experience column. The good news is that you will not have to wait 8 months for resolution of your problem. We have found that Botox wears off most quickly around the mouth, so we think that you should have feeling and movement back in about three months. The droopy eyelids may take a bot longer, but they too will respond before 8 months, more likely returning to normal in about 4 months....
Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+3

Fortunately the results are completely reversible...be patient and you will return to normal

Fortunately the results are completely reversible...be patient and you will return to normal. There are eye drops that may help temporarily to stimulate your upper eyelid muscle to contract and raise your eyelid if the droopiness is due to a direct effect on the eyelid muscle. If, however, it is due to an imbalance of your eyebrow raising/lowering (forehead) muscles, then the drops will not work. You may have the impression that you cannot "feel" your lip, but Botox does not effec more
David J. Levens, MD
Coral Springs Plastic Surgeon
+3

Unfortunately there is not much you can do. The Botox...

Unfortunately there is not much you can do. The Botox will wear off in about 3-4 months. You will probably notice some improvement before then as the muscles start to come back. Unfortunately though there is no way to reverse Botox so it will just have to 'wear off'.
D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Botox

The effects of Botox usually dissipate within 3-4 months. However, I have never heard of patients becoming numb from the Botox.  Very unusual, are you sure it was Botox?
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

Be Patient and Always Check Credentials!!!

Sorry to hear about your results. When BOTOX Cosmetic is administered correctly by a trained and experienced injector, there should be a very low chance of adverse results. From what it sounds like, I would check the credentials of this new injector and see what type of experience they actually have with the use of BOTOX.   Because BOTOX affects motor nerves, it is rare to have numbness following treatment. The droopy eyelid might be able to be treated depending on whether... more
Gregory A. Buford, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

At least it isn't permanent......

This is a very unfortunate situation as only time will fix the problem. I remember one lady who I had treated with Botox many times who wanted it all around her lips for her 50th birthday party. She came in telling me her friend had it done around her eyes and cheeks and lips by Dr. Docwholearnedbotoxatweekendcourse and would I do it? I had only ever treated between her brows and forehead and explained to her that Botox injections work well in certain areas but in the wrong amounts or... more
Evan Sorokin, MD
Cherry Hill Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox and numbness and drooping lip

Numbness and drooping after botox injections are not common but can occasionally occur.  The good news is that this should resolve in about three months.  In the future I would avoid placing botox in the areas where you had the problem or at least significantly decrease the dosage or amount that was used.
Vincent D. Lepore, MD
San Jose Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox in the upper lip can wreak havoc!

Inexperienced or improperly trained Botox injectors can really make a problem. Luckily, for the most part, this problem is a temporary, 3 month problem. One of the areas to watch out for is trying to inject Botox anywhere in the lower face. The lip seems tempting: there are a lot of lines there and wrinkles you'd like to get smoothed out.. and maybe you'd like your lip to curl up in just a slight pout. Do not be fooled into thinking Botox is easy or good to place in the lip.... more
Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH
Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Botox Injections

The great thing about Botox is that it always goes away.  The bad thing is that it may take several weeks to months.  Please make sure that you are injected by an experienced board certified physician.  Good luck.
David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

It will most likely wear off before the Botox does

Botox has very few side effects; however, one of the most troubling to patients is when an eyelid droops. This side effect is rare and happens less than 1% of the time. The drooping eyelid syndrome is not permanent. It will most likely wear off before the Botox does. If eyelid drooping starts three to four days after the injection, it will most likely last three to six weeks. If the drooping begins four to six days after the injection, it should go away faster. In the time it takes to wear... more
Sanusi Umar, MD
Redondo Beach Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Drooping forehead and eyelids

Full function should return in about four to five months maximum after drooping from Botox being placed too low on the forehead. The lip will elevate sooner probably but still around three months after the injections. I have not heard of numbness from Botox.
Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Be patient- your Botox results will wear off

  These days, many doctors are offering Botox treatment. It is important to remember that Botox is still a medical procedure and one that should only be performed by physicians who have great deal of experience with this medicine. I'm sorry to hear that you develop these problems with Botox. The bad news is that not a great deal can be done to reverse the symptoms. The good news is that Botox will eventually wear off in 4 to 6 months. Although it may be tough to do at this... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Botox wears off in 4 months.

Hi. 1) You had an inexperienced injector. 2)  See you ophthalmologist. There are eyedrops that temporarily help with the droopy eyelids. 3)  The good news is everything should be back to normal in 4 months.
George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

The use of Botox in the upper lip will cause you to have...

The use of Botox in the upper lip will cause you to have less ability to "purse" your lips and therefore have less wrinkles. It does cause you to have some of the functional side effects you are describing. Most patients like the softening of these lines and work around the associated side effects, most of which will be gone in 4 months. Maybe you won't want the lips done again. With the forehead, if both the muscles that raise the forehead (making the sideways lines) and those that... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
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