One Eyebrow Still Paralyzed 9 Months After Coronal Brow Lift. Options?

asked 6 months ago by Wondering....
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 210 times
Tags: 9 months post-op, nerve damage, options, paralysis, worried

One eyebrow is at least 1" inch lower than other now. Gives a "sinister" look.Botox on non-paralyzed side, but doesn't last. Slight movement in outer edge of eyebrow in last month caused "wrinkles" in skin above brow.Is slight movement any sign it will eventually return? Afraid nerve was cut by braided suture failure(doctor said this might have happened)as a slight" skin dent" at place suture was attached. Want NO more surgery. Wish I had NEVER had it.I looked better before. Worried! Any ideas?

9 answers to One Eyebrow Still Paralyzed 9 Months After Coronal Brow Lift. Options?

Brow lift and complications

Hello, I know it is not easy to wait, but patience is paramount with any suspected nerve injury. Permanent nerve injury is uncommon following a brow lift, and the fact that you are witnessing slight movement is a very promising sign. As part of our training, facial plastic surgeons perform dozens of procedures removing cancers from the head and neck. During removal of the tumor it is very common to lift a nerve out of the way, stretch it, look at it wrong,... more

Christopher Kolstad, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

Movement is a good sign

Nerve injury after brow lift is a know complication. The fact that movement is present is a good sign meaning it was not cut. In spite of this, it was injured during the surgery. You must give it more time and after a year to a year and a half, it will probably be permanent. Botox as you stated will help but temporary. I hope this helps. see video

Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

Forehead Paralysis After Browlift

Injury to the frontal branch of the facial nerve is associated with a slow recovery due to its lack of any cross-innervation. At nine months after surgery, it sounds like you have had a minimal recovery of its function. It is still possible that more nerve function will return and all hope is not lost until you are up to two years after surgery. There are no surgical or non-surgical methods that can assure or speed up recovery of this facial nerve

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

Eyebrow Paralyzed after Browlift

It sounds like you may have some early recovery of the nerve. Give it a few more months to see if it gets back to normal.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Paralyzed brow after surgery

The fact that you've gotten some function back is a good sign. It may just take more time to get more function though it may not all come bak. It could certainly take up to a year. You should exercise your forehead by trying to lift your eyebrow. Frequently during the day. Hopefully it will encourage further nerve return. Be careful about the botox on the other side. While it may make them look more even, you just don't want to get the Botox to spread into the affected side since... more

Ronald Schuster, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Nerve weakness after a brow lift

Such nerve injuries do occur but are fortunately uncommon. It is possible that you will continue to get function back for up to 2 years.

Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Nerve issues after brow lift

Yes, the fact that you have some slight movement of a portion of the forehead is a positive sign - it means that some signals are getting through. Hopefully, with more time, more nerve function will recover, and your situation will improve. Nerve recovery is a slow business, though.

Thomas Fiala, MD
Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon

Forehead Paralysis after Browlift

Forehead paralysis secondary to a brow lift is a very rare complication. It is encouraging that some movement is present. Wait another year to see if there is more improvement. There is nothing you can do to improve or speed up recovery. Botox will help in the interim.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Weak brow after coronal lift

The fact that your brow is moving is a good sign of return.. botox on the other side is still a good option till they are equal.. if it doesn t improve.. you can consider weakening the nerve on the other side