How long will droopy lip last. I'm 11 days post facelift? (Photo)

Hello there Most commonly these last less than 3 months . If it persists for longer then Botox can be used on the other side to 'even things up ' while you wait for recovery .CheersTS

This will most likely recover with time and is usually related  to stretching, blunt injury and occasionally thermal effects from cauterization.  Recovery time is usually 3-4 months but can sometimes be quicker or longer.  Be patient...it will likely recover.

Your droopy lip appears to be caused by the nerve injury you mention (neuropraxia). It depends on how injured the nerve is as to how long recovery will take. Most minor injuries only take about 6 weeks. If it is a more significant injury, it may take many months. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and make sure you have regular follow ups until it resolves.Andrew Campbell, M.D.Facial Rejuvenation SpecialistQuintessa Aesthetic Centers

I am sorry that you are experiencing this after a facelift.  However, your Surgeon is correct:  this is most likely a weakness that will recover completely.  The natural history is a 6 week to 6 month recovery, depending on the extent of neuropraxia.  Keep in close contact with your Surgeon for reassurance.  

Thank you for your picture.  It does appear you have some weakness of your facial nerve.  This is a know possible complication of facelift surgery therefore it is a risk of surgery and not an error.  This should resolve in several months.  Best wishes.

Recovery of the facial nerve after injury depends on if it was cut, stretched, bruised, or burned.  Most injuries are not suspected and only found postoperatively so your surgeon has told you he does not think he cut the nerve.  The nerve is quite small and can be damaged in any facelift surgery - the plane of dissection is not protective.  Most of the time the injury does not divide the nerve and healing is usually uneventful and complete in a few weeks to a few months.  Permanent loss of function would be associated with a cut nerve or burn injury that prevents normal healing to progress.  You will notice that your smile is largely unaffected as the weakness is lower lip depression.  Keep smiling and hopefully things will be back to normal soon!Dr. Z

Hi and thank you for your question. We appreciate you sharing your concerns and as others may know or have experienced, temporary weakness of facial nerve branches can occur after a lower facelift, most commonly from a little compression, stretch or electrical stunning during the procedure. Although not very common, this is a risk of any sub-SMAS facelift and typically resolves within a few months, although in some cases, could last longer. Appropriate follow-up with your plastic surgeon and clear communication is recommended. I hope that helped! Best, Dr. Roy.

While  uncommon, nerve weakness is a well known possible complication that can occur with facelift surgery.  Nerves are very sensitive and sometimes the manipulation that occurs during surgery can cause a temporary weakness, known as neuropraxia.   Typically this will resolve within 3 months but may vary from each patient.   Its possible that the weakness will improve much faster in just a few weeks as your swelling resolves or take longer around 6 month to recover.  I'm sure your surgeon will follow your progress closely.  Best wishes.