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“Chin Implant Gave Me a Crooked Smile”

worrywart 11 posts

Comments (34)
Updated 10 May 2011
Posted 10 Jul 2009

Worth It

Spent: $4,000 in California

I had an chin implant and face lift 6 weeks ago. I had a receding chin and didn't like it. Now I have a problem.

My smile is crooked, and the Dr. said that it happens sometimes and may take the muscle 2 weeks maybe 2 months to "wake up." No nerve damage, but I'm worried it may not wake up and I will have a crooked smile.

Updated on Jul 18, 2009:

I really don't think my smile will be normal again, It's been 7 weeks, and it's still one sided. It feels normal, but how can a muscle wake up, does that mean it's paralyzed? What can I do the "wake it up?" Can it be fixed if it doesn't improve?

Updated on Apr 19, 2010:

Updated on Apr 23, 2010:

Updated on 10 May 2011:
After 18 months my smile is now normal. The muscle that controls the left corner of my mouth finally did wake up. No problems now. Everyone who has surgery, we all must learn to be patient and let the face heal. Takes time, and you have to wait, and wait, and wait.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

one sided smile

April 19, 2010

Vote: 4 members found this review helpful

Comments (34)

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Juliette Mitchell (2 posts) 30 Aug 2009

Please let me know if now your smile has returned and the "nerve damage" is resolved.

Juliette Mitchell (2 posts) 30 Aug 2009

Please let me know if now your smile has returned and the "nerve damage" is resolved. We have the same problem here and it's been 10 days post-op

worrywart (11 posts) 9 Sep 2009

I still have the same problem. I had surgery May 29, 2009. It looks a little bit better. I go to the Dr. on Friday the 11th,and I don't think there is nerve damage,as I can bring down the corners of my mouth, but one side goes down more than the other. I will post again, after I talk to my doctor.

worrywart (11 posts) 11 Sep 2009

Update, I went to see the Doctor today and I still have an crooked smile. It has improved some, but the doctor said sometimes the muscle is bruised and sometimes it takes 2 weeks, 2 months, or longer for the muscle to heal and the nerve branches regrow and form new branches in or to the bruised muscle. So, I'm confident that the muscle will strenghten and be "normal." So those of you who are 10 days post-op or longer, be patient and let your face heal. That's what I'm going to do. It takes time to heal. Everybody is different and we all heal at different rates. The face depending on which side heals at different rates too. Don't worry, be happy.:)

Juniper13 (1 post) 3 Jan 2010

Hello, I highly recommend acupuncture for your condition. It is extremely effective in "re-awakening" nerve branches and activating muscles. In CA, you should not have a problem finding a qualified acupuncturist to help you. I am a doctor of Oriental Medicine in Boulder, and have had patients with similar complaints after botox injections into the jaw's muscles... Sometimes one side of the face remains or becomes more active than the other, then pulls the jaw crooked. I have seen great results personally with just a few treatments. Good luck in finding a great OM doctor! Hold on to hope too, your case is far from bleak.

pleazeeehelp (2 posts) 19 Feb 2010

hi all- I am so happy to have found that this seems kinda uncommon. my mom had mini facelift and chin lipo about 8 days ago and her smile is definitely crooked. She is 9 days post op...can this be permanent??? I am freaking out because she is very upset. The surgeon told her it could happen and he assured her he did not cut any nerves...but how long does it take for the smile to be normal again? Is there a chance he pulled one side more than the other? Any insight would be soo helpful- my mom didnt even need this surgery to begin with so I am hoping they did not ruin her face. Thanks everyone!

worrywart (11 posts) 19 Apr 2010

I never thought of acupuncture to reawaken a muscle. My smile is a lot better than the picture now,but it's not exactly perfect either. The left corner needs to come down a fraction and the right side muscle is stronger. I can move both sides down evenly, but when I smile there is a slight, slight difference. I may try acupuncture. The doctor says the muscle is stunned.

sera (41 posts) 19 Apr 2010

'Be happy' by all means, but please let us know if you fully recovered a symmetrical smile and normal lower lip movement or not. Seems to me there's a LOT of people who end up with crooked smiles and nerve injuries from chin implant surgery. How many of these cases are temporary versus permanent? I think everyone would like to know.

worrywart (11 posts) 10 May 2011

Sera,
It took 18 months for my muscle to "wake up." My smile is no longer crooked. Sorry for the long delay, I was having trouble logging in to Realself. Those who have surgery must give themselves time to heal. We all heal at different rates. What 6 months for one person, maybe 4 months for another, or as long as 18 months to fully heal.

Jwow (9 posts) 7 May 2011

I just had chin implant and I am now 5 days post op. I chin is still swollen and my lower left droops. It is severe. Please tell me that it gets better?

worrywart (11 posts) 10 May 2011

Jwow,
Five days after surgery is not long enough to expect perfection. It gets better and better with time. You need to give yourself time to heal. My muscle that was "asleep" took 18 months to wake up. So be patient. It gets better.

Jwow (9 posts) 10 May 2011

Thank you Worrywart for responding. Getting as much info on this subject as possible is helping me process what has happened. I know there has not been enough time to heal and I don't mind waiting. I guess I need the reasurance that this has happened to someone and the droopy lip, numbness of the entire bottom lip and chin will regain feeling.

Did anyone answer Sera's question?

worrywart (11 posts) 10 May 2011

Just did. I had problems logging into Realself for a while, but got it squared away. Don't worry. One day at a time.

Jwow (9 posts) 10 May 2011

Thank you Worrywart. I will keep this sight posted on my progress so that it may helps others. You have helped more than you know. Thanx!

Really Sad and Scared (3 posts) 24 May 2011

So did your smile get better? I am 10 days out and mine is horrific! I can't show my face. I am so depressed and don't even want to go on.

Jwow (9 posts) 11 Jun 2011

Hello Really Sad and Scared, I told you I would keep you posted on my progess. I am almost six weeks post op.(May 3) I had my implant taken out at 4 weeks (June 2)because of the numbness/ look/ and crooked smile. My numbness is still there along with the crooked smile. I am remaining hopefull. Are you having in signs of progress?

worrywart (11 posts) 24 May 2011

Yes it did. Ten days out is not long enough for you to heal. It will take time. You've been through major surgery and the tissues have been pulled and stretched. It's pretty normal what you are feeling. It gets better. I felt the same way. We all expect immediate results. Don't worry, rest and take care of yourself, and you will be better. It just takes time. Some people heal faster than others. It took 18 months for my smile to gradually become normal. It may take a month, 3 months or longer. You will be fine. It takes some of us 18 months to completly heal. The operative word here is "completly" Ok? Don't be depressed. Time will be your friend, the mirror is not your friend right now. Hope this helps.

Jwow (9 posts) 26 May 2011

Dear Really Sad and Scared, I understand what you are going through because I was so depressed at 10 days post op. No one told me that the anesthesia can make you feel that way. Drink lots of water to flush your body. You will start thinking clear. I am now 3 weeks post op and my smile is still crooked. I am constantly talking to my doctor and he reassures me that it will come back. I remain hopeful as well as you should too. Please keep me posted on your progress and I will do the same on mine. I hope you are feeling better.

popeye13 (9 posts) 9 Jun 2011

I am three weeks post-op from a facelift and have the crooked smile. I look like Popeye the sailorman when I smile hard. this is horrific!!

Jwow (9 posts) 11 Jun 2011

My smile is still crooked and it has been six weeks since implantation and almost two weeks since removal. My smile is horrific too but still waiting for improvement.

worrywart (11 posts) 9 Jun 2011

Popeye13,

After three weeks not only did I have a crooked smile I looked like rocky racoon. The nerves around that area have been stretched and tugged around, they don't like it. Three weeks is not enough time for them to heal and it takes time. It took mine 18 months, gradually every day, week, month that goes by it gets better. We all have to be patient and let your body heal. Three weeks is just too soon. Take care of your self and stop looking in the mirror. Rest, drink water, believe me it WILL get better. Feel free to comment here. I've been through this too.

popeye13 (9 posts) 9 Jun 2011

Thank you . You make me feel a little better....but 18 months is a long, long time...although better than a permanent deformity.
Did it come back grdually or did you just one day notice it ws back?

worrywart (11 posts) 9 Jun 2011

It was gradual. I kept checking it all the time too. I bet it feels tight, mine did. Everyone is different. It took mine 18 months. Your's may not, could be a month, 3mons or longer. I'd say if you were at 17 months and your smile was still crooked, then I would be worried. You are not, so no need to worry so much. I know it's hard not too. I just finally stopped worrying about it. I was still going to my doctor about it as he did not want me to worry either. He said that the muscle that brings down the corner of the lips "is asleep" and that's exactly what is was. Try not to worry.

popeye13 (9 posts) 9 Jun 2011

Thank you. Sometimes, especially in the evenings when the swelling has gone down, it seems to have improved. Mornings are the worst and that is when it is the "tightest."
I saw you before and after photos. Thank you for posting that. I would have been panicked by now had it not been for your photos!

Jwow (9 posts) 11 Jun 2011

Worrywart, Thank you for posting pics of your before and after. Now, I am a little worried because my smile is so much worse. So, I am thinking if yours took 18 months...is mine going to be longer because it is worse. I am sick of hiding from everyone. I truly avoid talking to anyone, even freinds. I am still being patient but geez...

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“Chin Implant Gave Me a Crooked Smile”

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