Eyebrow Frozen After Lower Facelift, How is that Possible?

Question

I had a mini face lift 3 days ago mainly to correct sagging jowls problem. The incision is at the ear. My left brow isn't moving much now and can't be raised making my eyelid droop a little and thus left eye looks smaller than right eye. The right eyebrow can be raised normally. I notice some swelling at my left temple. I don't understand how a lower face lift will damage anything in the forehead or brow. What has happened? And how soon can I recover?

Lawrence Kass, MD · Answer

Yes. This can happen, just as other doctors have discussed with you. But I am writing just to re-emphasize that in all likelihood this will get better with time. It is VERY early after your procedure and the odds are STRONGLY in your favor that the brow elevation will return to normal over the next 6 months or so.

Jeffrey B. Wise, MD, FACS · Answer

Temporary weakness of the face following facelift surgery is possible. Don't panic at this early point. The nerves can be stretched or stunned during surgery -- making the weakness temporary rather than permanent. Give it time. I would not surgically intervene for a minimum of 6-12 months. Most people experience a return of function within that timeframe.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

As others have noted, you probably have an injury to the frontal branch of the facial nerve. This branch crosses the zygomatic arch in a relatively superficial plane. This is very likely to recover within the next few weeks to months. Your Surgeon is likely to suggest Botox/Dysport to the normal side until recovery is complete.

Babak Azizzadeh, MD · Answer

You need to see your plastic surgeon ASAP. Your doctor needs to examine you and determine the exact cause of why you are unable to move your eyebrow. If you are in the LA I would be more than happy to examine you, as I have extensive experience in facial nerves.

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

During a facelift, big or small, the branches of the facial nerve lie just deep to where skin gets lifted and the suspensory tissues get tightened. The facial nerve branches emanate just in front of the earlobe, sending branches as high as the brow and as low as the jawline. These branches allow facial movement throughout the face. The nerve branch to the brow may get bruised or weakened with surgery and take some time to get strong again - this is the most common scenario with postoperative brow weakness after facelift. It sounds like this is what you are going through and it's not unusual to have one side weak and one side ok. This should completely improve over the course of the next 3-6 months. You will need to follow along with your plastic surgeon to assure improvement. If it does not, the nerve may need to be explored

Eyebrow Frozen After Lower Facelift, How is that Possible?

Answers (10)