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Post-Facelift Spasms

asked 1 year ago by Justpeachy2 in Vonore, TN
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 311 times
Tags: spasms

I am 5 weeks post facelift. I had one facial spasm at about 5 days post-op where my facial muscles contracted so the eyes both "squinted" shut very quickly. The second one was at 5 weeks in my right lateral neck muscle underneath the ear (sternocleidomastoid). My swelling is still resolving in the jaw area under the ears, so I am wondering is it a response to this?

12 answers to Post-Facelift Spasms

+2

Facial spams after a facelift.

Relax, these spasms are very common not only in post Facelift patients but in many other post surgical patients as well. Do not be alarmed they will resolve themselves with healing.
Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facial spasms

Any trauma or surgical event such as a Facelift can lead to swelling and bruising. As the event resolves, the nerves and soft tissues begin to function more normally. Nerves and muscles are still in a state of "confusion". Periodic muscle twitching can occur as the swelling further resolves and the function returns. In short, this does not represent anything wrong and this should resolve with time without intervention. Sometimes small doses of Botox can help with symptoms... more
Timothy Fee, MD

Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon
+2

Facial spasms post-facelift are normal!

At 5 weeks, you are back to normal activities, bruising is gone, and scars are beginning to fade, so facial spasms occurring now (similar to the one you noted at 5 days post-op) can make you feel like "something" might be wrong. You still have additional scar maturation that will take several months to occur, and that includes all of the tissues beneath the skin's surface that you cannot see, but that are nonetheless going through the same healing, softening, settling... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

+1

Muscle spasm after face lift

5 weeks is still relatively early in healing process after your surgery. There are still irritated nerves and tight and stiff muscles. Be patient and continue to follow up with your surgeon as directed.
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Muscle spasms after face lift

No, the muscle spasms are not due to swelling or the resolution of the swelling but rather a reaction to the undermining and muscle tightening of the face lift itself.
Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Brief infrequent facial spasms first 6 weeks after Facelift are harmless

Brief infrequent facial spasms during the first 6 weeks after a Facelift are within normal limits and nothing to worry about. This is simply the result of irritation of the facial muscles caused by the surgical dissection during a Facelift. Sustained frequent facial twitching could be a sign of blood electrolyte imbalance post operatively or caused by a medication you are taking (Compazine) so if the twitching or spasms are frequent be sure you see your doctor.
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

+1

Facelift recovery

While I have never heard this from one of my patients, as the other doctors have said this is probably all within the normal recovery and should resolve spontaneously by 3-4 months at most.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facial spasms after face lift

Two facial spasms within a fie week period following a face lift are not cause for concern. Undesireable, repeated and disorganized facial contractions (synkinesis) could be indicative of nerve injury but it does not sound like this is the case with your symptoms
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Post Facelift Spasms

This is a rather normal part of the healing process.   It should resolve by 3 months.   Deep Tissue Massage works well in treating these spasms in the early stage of healing.   All the best in a safe and happy recovery!! Paul S. Gill, M.D. Gill Plastic Surgery Houston Double Boarded Plastic Surgeon
Paul S. Gill, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facial Spasm After Facelift

Although not a common occurrence, facial spasms can occur for several weeks after Facelift.  More commonly, patients experience paresthesias (a zinging, electric shock sensation or a crawling sensation: a sign of sensory nerve regrowth) for 6 weeks to 3 months after surgery.
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drprendiville.com

+1

Nerve issues after facelift are infrequent but normal and part of healing

Five weeks post-facelift is still very early after the procedure. You did not say what kind of a facelift you had. In the deeper plane facelifts, the dissection goes around some of the nerves. If they have become irritated what you are experiencing is part of the healing. These types of issues should go away with time.
Andrew Kaczynski, MD

Sacramento Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facial spasms after a face lift

It is not all that unusual to have some facial spasms after a facelift procedure even five or six weeks after surgery. This should get better with time.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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