Can facial muscles be repaired? Is there any treatment you would recommend?

Without pictures, it is very difficult to see what the defect/problem is and to give advice on reconstructing it.

Hi whynan,
Thank you for your question. Have you been evaluated for your sagging left face by a medical professional? It is hard to tell without photographs or an in-person office consultation whether you have sagging due to facial weakness versus muscle atrophy versus volume loss. It is difficult to surgically repair muscles, especially at ten years out from the trauma. If the left side of your face is weakened or paralyzed, there are surgical treatment options to help improve facial symmetry. If you have issues with volume loss to the left side of your face, injectable fillers are a possible treatment option. I recommend you consider seeing a facial plastic surgeon for further evaluation.

Dear whynan,
Your injury may have traumatized the skin, muscle, nerves, fat and even the bone. Often there is also a hematoma (collection of blood) that will turn into scar tissue that affects the facial movements. Surgeries for the face and eyes can be done to help everything you mention. Get an evaluation by a surgeon who can evaluate and treat your symptoms.

Hi adn thanks for your question.  Facial muscles can be repaired but only in very specific situations.  If you muscles work and you are not partially paralyzed then you would need a soft tissue lift....either a midface lift (cheek lift) or some other type of facial lift depending on your facial appearance.  I'd recommend consulting with a plastic surgeon in person so that you can get a complete facial analysis!

Hello and thank you for your excellent question. You may be a candidate for a facelift, or some type of muscle re-animation procedure. It is essential that you have an in-person consultation to develop a treatment plan that specifically addresses your personal surgical goals, and your body’s anatomy. Preoperative visualization and surgical simulation with the Crisalix system may help refine this plan. I recommend that you find a board-certified, or board-eligible plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of similar patients whom have had this procedure. If you have any questions, call our office for assistance. Good luck!

Best,

Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS

Harvard educated plastic surgeon

Texas “Top Doc”