Will Facial Nerve & Muscle Return to Normal? (Surgery Was 7 Months Ago)

Sorry to hear about the issue you experienced following surgery. What you describe are typical side effects of nerve damage. In general, nerve damage from a facelift can result in the following side effects:

1) Numbness of the face
2) Difficulty making certain facial expressions
3) Ear numbness
4) Drooping of facial features (mouth or cheek)

In general, most temporary nerve damage that occurs from a facelift will be resolve in anywhere from 6 months to a year. It may take longer for a complete recovery, but it depends on the patient and the circumstances of the issue. Typically, nerve damage to the buccal branch in the area of a midface lift is forgiving, and a most patients have a complete recovery. I would recommend speaking with your surgeon to see what he or she advises. Thank you and I hope this helps.

This is a difficult situation to evaluate without photos. For one, it appears that your right side "over-activity" is a compensatory mechanism for the left sided injury.
I would review this with your plastic surgeon and neurologist. He may be able to do specific neurologic  tests to document where and, to what degree, the nerve may be injured.
Yes, there is hope! Try this...tap your cheek gently with your index finger, starting at your earlobe/face jct. and proceed towards the corner of your left mouth angle. See/feel if there is "tingling" at a certain spot- this may be the site of the injury to the nerve/muscle. Don't give up and get the neurologist  opinion. (There are some who deal with nerve injuries). Good luck! 

Thanks for the question. First 24-48 hours after the operation face will be swelling. After 48 hours swelling will be decreases. Scalp area stitches are taken from the day 10. Final results may take 1 month. Patients can return to work after 1 week. The effect of gravity varies according to the aging speed and lifestyle but it provides an average permanent effect of 10 years. I wish you all the best.

Unfortunately, nerve injury is possible during any surgical procedure, and the facial nerve could potentially be injured during some brow and/or face lifting procedures. It is possible to see continued nerve improvement for 12-18 months after nerve injury (or even longer in some cases), but as others have stated, seeing some improvement is a good prognostic sign, while not seeing any improvement at all would be a bad prognostic sign.
All the best,

First of all, I am so sorry for this unfortunate complication. Please remember that it can happen in the hands of even the best of surgeons.

There is definitely hope. The facial nerve can come back as late as 18 months. Having said that, it is a long road. You have to have a game plan. Here it is for you.

1. Physical appearance: Use make up and hair style changes to hide some of the left side. Work with a good make up artist.

2. Emotional issues: It is not easy to handle the present situation. Make sure you have plenty of emotional support. In these trying times you don't want any friends or family telling you, 'I told you not to do it'. Instead stay close to people who are positive. If you start feeling depressed make sure to get professional help.

3. Your Surgeon: Trust me your surgeon is just as worried as you are if not more. Stay in regular touch with your surgeon, preferrably in person not just by phone

4. Your Recovery: There is no way to expedite the recovery of your nerve but I always tell my patients to do facial exercises by making faces and moving facial muscles in all directions all day long. Also massage the whole face every night with a moisturizer. I prefer cocoa butter with Vit-E

5. Facial Appearance: Maximize the remaining facial appearance. Your surgeon can use some Botox to even out some of the asymmetries between right and left side of the face. Some fillers can be used to soften the deep grooves. These small things will add up to make the face look better.

6. Plan-B: Discuss with your surgeon about what to do if the nerve does not return.

7. No Rush: Do not rush into any procedures, take your time, do your own research.

My best wishes and warm regards.

Dr. J

Disclaimer: This answer is not intended to give a medical opinion and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.