I had bells palsy 15 years ago. Is it true I cannot have the latest invasive facelift?

Thank you for your question. Answer to your question is No.  I perform facelift on many patients that have had Bell's palsy to improve their facial laxity due to weak nerve.  The surgeon is able to adjust the SMAS tightening on each side to create a more symmetrical facial features.  I perform segmental tightening of the SMAS to achieve this goal.  You need to have a consultation with a board certified facial plastic surgeon who primarily preforms facelift surgery.  

You can absolutely have a facelift even if you previously had Bell’s Palsy. In fact, if you have residual paralysis or asymmetry, a facelift could help resolve that. Please do work with an expert facial plastic surgeon, though, to get the best results. I hope this helps.

Thanks for your question. 
To my knowledge, a previous episode of Bell's Palsy that has since resolved is not a contraindication for a particular facelift technique. 
If there is residual asymmetry following that last episode and the facelift is being used as a treatment, there still should be no contraindication for a particular technique which I am aware of. 
Seeing a plastic surgeon who is board certified or eligible will allow you to discuss a particular technique in conjunction with a detailed examination. 
Best wishes, 
Rohit Jaiswal, MD
Plastic Surgeon
Las Vegas, NV 

Just the fact you have had Bell's Palsy should not prevent you from having a facelift by any technique.  The face droop from Bell's Palsy is treated with facelift to help patients achieve as much symmetry as possible.  Have a consult with your plastic surgeon to get an understanding of what can be achieved for you and if any other issues would come into play.  Best wishes,

Thanks for the question. Asymmetrical facelift with patients that have had facial paralysis is a recognised treatment to improve sings of facial ageing and improve facial asymmetry at the same time. I hope this helps.

I regularly see patients who have long term facial concerns from their Bell's palsy for consideration of facelift surgery. I would recommend seeing a plastic surgeon to establish whether your concerns can be modified by a muscle transfer and/or a facelift. Sometimes the effect of Bell's palsy can be further balanced by using botox on the opposite normal side of the face. I have found this very useful on patients under the age of 45,  who otherwise have youthful skin and facial contours, and delay the facelift until they are over 55 when potentially they can have both sides facelifted in a differential manner. All the best.

I have done Face Lifts without nay problems and excellent results on several patients who have previously had Bell's Palsy. I now mostly perform a MACS type of Face Lift  Since the SMAS is not dissected there is less of a potential facial nerve problem with this procedure. This is especially important in performing a Face Lift for the second or third time
If there is residual asymmetry and laxity  due to the previous Bells Palsy a differential and segmental suturing can address this problem.

Hello,
   In The field of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery many of our Reconstructive patients that have facial paralysis benefit from facelift proceedures reducing aging and improving facial symmetry. I know of no reason you’re not a candidate for a facelift! Hope that helps!
Sincerely 
Dr G

Thank you for the question.  A history of Bell's palsy would not prevent you from considering a face lift surgery.  Keeping in mind that one of the complications of face lift surgery is injury to the same nerves involved during an attack of Bell's Palsy, there is still no specific contraindication to the procedure that I am aware of. In fact, patients who have residual facial asymmetry after their bells palsy has resolved may benefit by certain procedures that can be performed along with a traditional face lift.  Make sure to consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to limit other inherent risks of face lift surgery that may not be associated with Bell's Palsy. 

Thanks for your question. No, I think you would still be a candidate for a variety of facelift techniques as long as you've had no recurrences or other problems with the Bell's palsy. Best wishes