Is it normal to have facial nerve paralysis after facelift? Is it reversible, and a pretty bad neuralgia pain?

Thank you for your question and I am sorry you are not healing as expected. This is not common after a face lift, however it is a known complication. Most of the time these symptoms will resolve on their own with time. It is uncommon for this to be permanent. Continue to follow-up with your surgeon and I wish you the best. 

I'm so sorry that you are having a hard time with this recovery.What you are describing sounds like two different issues.The pain is more than likely going to subside with time as your swelling decreases and healing continues.  It may take several more weeks, but I would expect complete recovery.The motor nerve issues (inability to move the brow or close the eye tightly - one nerve in charge of both) are potentially caused by an issue with the Temporal Branch of the Facial Nerve.  Many times this can be due to swelling or just pressure on the nerve.  However, it can also be caused by more significant injury or if the nerve got caught in a suture.  The good news is that these problems typically do resolve.  The bad news is that it could take up to 8 months or so for that to happen.I took care of a patient with a flat out temporal branch injury from one of those commercial facelift places about 10 years ago.  There was no motion at all on her brow until 7 1/2 months after the procedure.  Then one day there was a little twitch...and two weeks later she had a complete recovery.  Whew!The issue with a nerve injury like that one (which was obviously pretty significant) is that the nerve needs to grow from the point of injury all the way back to the muscles in the brow and around the eye.  Given that nerves grow at about the same rate as your hair, you can understand why it takes so long for recovery to happen.  And then, once the recovery begins, it progresses very quickly.I hope that your case is only due to swelling, but if not, there is hope down the road.Good Luck!

Thank you for your question.
It is not usual to have so much weakness of the nerves or pain 3 weeks after Face Lift procedure. Nerve pain and weakness can, however, occasionally occur after a Face Lift procedure. When this happens it is usually reversible and does not need further surgical treatment. You should talk to your surgeon, who can prescribe medications that can help till the time the nerves recover and also keep an eye on the recovery process. All The Best !

Thank you for your question about facelift recovery.Some temporary loss of feeling or abnormal feeling in small areas is not unexpected after facelift. This is normal. However, complete loss of motor nerve function is not typical and not common.Bruised nerves typically come back in about 6 weeks to 6 months.  If a motor nerve is transected then it is likely not to come back.  Without more information, I am not sure what about your situation.
To be sure, return to see your doctor for all of your follow up appointment.  If you don't feel satisfied that you are being heard or question your recovery, then it is your prerogative to seek additional physician consultation.
I hope this helps.

Thank you for your question. While nerve injury is not expected or normal after facelift surgery, it is a known complication.  It happens about 4% of the time.  The good news is that in 96-98% of the time it is only a temporary injury that recovers on its own over a few months without further treatment.  If it persists beyond a few months, I would recommend discussing it further with your surgeon.  Facial rehabilitation exercises can be helpful in accelerating recovery as would be done after facial nerve injury repair.  Specialized rehab centers offer this service.  Best wishes on your recovery.

The facial nerve can be injured during facelift. In most cases it is a weakness and not a permanent injury. It recovers in 3 months. The pain or neuralgia around ear is from the sensory nerves. It is best treated with kenalog injections in the area of maximum pain and tenderness as kenalog (a steroid) takes away the inflammation. Hang in there as it will get better and even in the worst case of no recovery there is a lot that can be done to improve the aesthetics of the face. RegardsDr. Janjua

While this is not "normal" following a facelift, these sorts of things are known to happen following facelifting surgery. The facial nerve weakness resolves in the great majority of patients but may take up to 18 months for total recovery. Exercises aimed at attempting to move the weak area and at home nerve stimulation devices may help movement return sooner.  The nerve pain may be related to swelling or an injury around or to the greater auricular nerve. This too typically improves with time on the order of many months. Sometimes neurontin, a nerve pain medication, can be used to help things out if under the proper guidance of your surgeon.  At this point, time is the best remedy for both issues. It's stressful but take comfort knowing that for most patients it's just a bump in the road.  Good luck!

I am very sorry that you are experiencing problems after your procedure.  Simply put, the inability to move your brow and close your eye is not normal after facelift.  However, this most likely represents a paresis of the frontal and zygomatic branches of your facial nerve, which will return to normalcy in time.  It is exceedingly rare to have a permanent injury to these branches.  The pain around your ear represents an inflammatory process of the sensory nerves that supply the ear. Only your Surgeon knows the extent and course of your surgery, so reassurance and a review of expectations from him/her will most likely be the best course. 

Unfortunately, these conditions do occur in any surgical procedure.  As it relates to facelift, the most common cause is pressure or tension placed on a nerve during surgery.  These terminal branches of nerves typically recover within a  few months.  Pain post op including neuralgia is related to a different group of nerves, but numbness, tingling, and even extended post operative  pain almost always resolve

What you are describing are well recognized complications
and are often reversible. I suggest you discuss your issues
with your plastic surgeon and follow his recommendations.
Best wishes.