Crooked smile due to one side of top lip not moving properly, after facelift, what are my options?

Question

I had an upper eyelid surgery, SMAS facelift and neck lift 6 days ago. My top left lip is droopy and the nerve between nose/mouth is affected. The PS took me back to theatre to reopen that side to check for nerve damage which there wasn't. She feels it should resolve with time. I'm terrified and full of regret, in a lot of emotional and physical pain. Will lip improve? I desperately need reassurance. I feel so so low. If lip movement doesn't come back is there anything that can be done? Thanks

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Nerves can be strechted or bruised after a facelift.  This can cause limited movements or temporary paralysis.  If your surgeon is sure there is not nerve damage, then the movement will come back 100%.  This may take time but it will come back.  I would be patient and let it heal.  It is highly likely this will be temporary.I hope this helps.

Pravin Reddy, MD · Answer

Thank you for the query and I'm sorry to hear of the difficulty you are experiencing.The good news is that this will most likely get better by itself.  There are a numbers of possibilities including stretching of the nerve or injury from the electrical current used to control minor bleeding that occurs with face lifting.  It is almost impossible to cut a nerve during most widely practiced face lifting techniques.  I suspect the nerve will return to normal in several weeks although this is difficult to predict.  In some cases recovery may require several months.  I hope this answer offers some reassurance and wish you a speedy recovery.

Crooked smile due to one side of top lip not moving properly, after facelift, what are my options?

Answers (2)