One Eyebrow Still Paralyzed 9 Months After Coronal Brow Lift. Options?

Hello,

  I know it is not easy to wait, but patience is paramount with any suspected nerve injury.  Permanent nerve injury is uncommon following a brow lift, and the fact that you are witnessing slight movement is a very promising sign. 

As part of our training, facial plastic surgeons perform dozens of procedures removing cancers from the head and neck.  During removal of the tumor it is very common to lift a nerve out of the way, stretch it, look at it wrong, virtually any manipulation of a facial nerve will cause it to stop working after surgery.  During cases of temporary weakness, the recovery is slow and happens over the course of 12-18 months.  If there is still inadequate function at 18 months I would advise you to consult with another surgeon.  There may be a way to improve symmetry between the two sides, and your feelings about a corrective procedure may change.

 

Such nerve injuries do occur but are fortunately uncommon.  It is possible that you will continue to get function back for up to 2 years.

Yes, the fact that you have some slight movement of a portion of the forehead is a positive sign - it means that some signals are getting through.  Hopefully, with more time, more nerve function will recover, and your situation will improve.  Nerve recovery is a slow business, though.