4.5 weeks post deep plane FL, one side more swollen and not moving, and dry eyes. Very nervous, will it improve? (photo)

Question

4.5 weeks post deep plane FL and lower Bleph. Left side of face more swollen than Right Bottom lip on that side not moving during smile and speaking Eyes are painfully sore and dry. I am feeling exhausted all the time. I am trying to stay positive but I need help and reasuurance... I am afraid my smile is gone . Will my eyes improve? What can I do or have done? my surgeon suggested natural tears drops for eyes.

Brian M. Harmych, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph. This lower lip asymmetry is unfortunately a possible complications from facelift surgery. This is usually transient (temporary). I'd be curious to know whether this improved over time. Dry, irritated eyes are also temporarily common as well. Perhaps leave and update or direct message me. I hope you are doing better by now.

Frank P. Fechner, MD · Answer

At 4 weeks, you will experience significant changes: nothing will stay the way it is right now. Certainly, one can appreciate the asymmetries in your appearance. Most of this should resolve over the next 4 weeks. I would recommend to stay in close touch with your facelift surgeon. I am sure, at the end you will enjoy a great benefit from your deep plane facelift.Best of luck

Anthony Farole, DMD · Answer

One of the reasons many facial plastic surgeons shy away from the deep plane face lift is there is a higher risk of injury to the facial nerve. Hopefully your facial nerve branches were only stretched or the swelling around them is contributing to your lack of complete movement. I would check with your surgeon to get his or her opinion.

Nicholas S. Karter, MD · Answer

It is normal to have swelling after a deep plane facelift and it is very common for the two sides to be asymmetric during the healing process. While most of the time the majority of the swelling is resolved by four weeks, it isn't abnormal to still have some persist. The lack of movement in the lower lip is almost always due to strain on the marginal mandibular nerve, the nerve that controls the lower lip. Nerve weakness is a risk of the deep plane facelift procedure. The good news is that in almost every case the nerve returns to completely normal function, it can just take quite a while (sometimes a few months or more). You can try sleeping propped up on a few pillows or in a recliner, sometimes that can speed up the resolution of the swelling. I would also recommend sharing your concerns with your surgeon. They may be incline to give you a light dose of steroids to speed the resolution of the swelling as well. I hope this helped, good luck!!

Ivo Gwanmesia, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your query and sorry to hear about your concerns.With a deep plane lift, the risk of bruising to the facial nerves is slightly higher as the surgery is performed at a deeper level. I am hopeful that everything should in time settle down nicely for you. But do keep in regular contact with your surgeon as he should be monitoring your progress.

4.5 weeks post deep plane FL, one side more swollen and not moving, and dry eyes. Very nervous, will it improve? (photo)

Answers (5)

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