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Lack of Mouth Movement, Unable to Blink or Pucker: All Results of Facelift?

26 days after mid face lift, I have a knot 1 inch in front of rt ear size of small marble.Upper mouth won't move, can't suck or pucker or say words with B or P good.Right eye still not blinking.Is this all same problem?

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ears eyes mouth knots puckering female blink movement side effects

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by Linda in SC

Doctor Answers (12)
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Weakness of mouth and lips and face 26 days after Mid Facelift suggests Facial Nerve Injury-see your doctor

The weakness of your lips and mouth 26 days after Mid Facelift suggests injury to the Buccal Branches of your Facial Nerve. Eyelid weakness suggests injury to the Zygomatic Branch of your Facial Nerve on that side. This can occur when dissection is done too deep during Mid Facelift surgery. Fortunately these branches of the Facial Nerve have many intercommunications so recovery is possible. You need a professional evaluation by a Neurologist and EMG testing to determine the exact... more

Facial Weakness after Facelift surgery

Hi Linda, Your description suggests weakness of the facial muscles and nerve, which could potentially occur after face lift surgery. Typically, this facial weakness is temporary and resolves with time. You should speak with your face lift surgeon. Only after a comprehensive evaluation can he/she help determine appropriate options for you. Best of luck.

Facial weakness after facelift

Facial muscle weakness after surgery is not very common, but it can happen. The most important factor in determining if this will improve on its own or will need further treatment is to distinguish between weakness and complete paralysis or no movement at all. Weakness is usually due to swelling around the facial nerve branches and will strengthen with time and should completely recover, although it can take up to 6 months to a year. If there is complete paralysis, the recovery is less... more

Gregory J. Vipond, MD

4 reviews

Pasadena Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facial weakness 1 month post-op

Midface lifts (compared to face and neck lifts) do have an increased risk of this complication. The odds are in your favor that over time the function will improve

Sam Naficy, MD

80 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

Facelift

It sounds like you may have several problems at once. You may just have some swelling and or you have some bruised nerves. See a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for a consultation and evaluation.

Problems after a facelift

Thanks for your question - It sounds like you are describing is a facial nerve weakness or injury. You should follow up with the plastic and cosmetic surgeon that did your Face Lift so the degree of this weakness can be ascertained. Many times small amounts of weakness improves over 3-6 months. In your case it sounds like there may be multiple nerves of concern. In addition, inability to blink can create dry eye which can lead to corneal ulceration. These... more

Definitely needs follow up

What you are describing is a problem with your facial nerve. 26 days post-surgery this is very unlikley due to swelling - especially because of your eye symptoms. So you need follow up with your surgeon to determine if this is a temporary or permanent injury to the nerve. You also need to make sure that your eye is protected. Prolonged exposure during sleep can lead to a corneal injury.

Decreased Movement after Face Lift

What you are describing is a muscle and facial nerve weakness or injury. You should follow up with the plastic and cosmetic surgeon that did your Face Lift so the degree of this weakness can be ascertained. If your blink mechanism is compromised, for an extended period of time, it can result in dry eye and corneal ulceration. Only your surgeon knows what was done during your Face Lift, so start there. He may recommend a consultation with an Opthalmologist for dry eye... more

You had much more than a midface lift.

Linda You are describing could involve just the buccal branches of the facial nerve. The buccal branches will supply the muscles that affect the muscles that make the smile. The blinking issue could also be the effect of the buccal branch of the facial nerve. An actual examination is needed to know precisely your issues. It is likely that the surgery injured one major branches of the buccal nerve. These can recover or the injury may be permanent. One... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

8 reviews

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Nerve Weakness after Facelift

You need to be evaluated by your surgeon for the cause of your nerve weakness, and probably seek a second opinion as well. Also, if your eye is not closing you need to see an oculoplastic surgeon or ophthlamologist to make sure that your eye is being protected and not at risk for developing an infection.

Michael McCracken, MD

8 reviews

Boulder Oculoplastic Surgeon

Nerve Injury following Mid-Face Lift

The description you provided suggests that there has been a compromise of two of the branches of the facial nerve, the zygomatic and the buccal. This may have occured as a result of swelling, tension on the nerves, bruising or heat injury to the nerves, or less likely, severing of the nerves during surgery. The good news is that paralysis of these nerves is rare. There are numerous interconnections between the nerves and restoration of function is typically restored... more

Facial nerve damage is a very rare complication of facelift.

Hi. It sounds like you have some injury to more than one branch of the facial nerve. You should be evaluated right away. Most of the time, the best thing to do is wait, because these problems are often temporary. But rarely the nerve should be explored. And get another opinion.