Numbness in face three years after cheek lift surgery - what can I do?

Question

I am a 38 year old guy. About 3 years ago I had this cheek lift surgery and after surgery I wake up with numbness in my upper lip to my face. I all ready went to several plastic surgent and the firs one he said that is a nerve damage but no one tell me what can I do to solve the problem, I don't know what to do more even my face did not look so good especially in that area.

Carl Truesdale, MD · Answer

Three years out is plenty of time for sensory nerves to recover from typical operative trauma. If you're still numb at this point, the change is likely from one of three things.
First, branches of the great auricular nerve or zygomaticofacial nerve were stretched or transected during the dissection and never fully regenerated. This is the most common cause and unfortunately the hardest to fully reverse. Sensory recovery after 18 to 24 months is typically permanent.
Second, scar tissue is compressing or entrapping the nerve in the cheek dissection plane. This is sometimes treatable with steroid or hydrodissection injections, occasionally with a small revision to release the scar around the nerve.
Third, neuropathic pain (which can present as numbness alongside burning, tingling, or zinging sensations) responds to medication like gabapentin or duloxetine. If your numbness has any of those associated qualities, see a pain specialist.
Honest reality check. Most patients with isolated numbness at three years have a permanent change in sensation. The brain often adapts and the numbness becomes less noticeable over time, even if measurable sensation is reduced.
If the numbness is genuinely impairing you in daily life (chewing, kissing, makeup application, comfort), an evaluation by a peripheral nerve specialist or facial plastic surgeon experienced in nerve work is worth pursuing. Microsurgical nerve repair has come a long way, though candidates need to be selected carefully.
For most patients in your shoes, the practical path is symptom management plus acceptance that the sensation may not fully return.

Numbness in face three years after cheek lift surgery - what can I do?

Answers (1)

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