Neck Still Partially Numb One Week After Lipo?

Question

Had lipo, no skin removed, one week ago.  My neck is still partically numb.  Also, when I laugh, one side of my mouth feels like it's not working totally right.  Is all this normal?

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS · Answer

You are only one week postsurgery. You are still swollen and it is too early to say anything about the final result. That being said, it is very normal to have decreased sensation and some asymmetry. Nerves don't like to be pushed, squished, or otherwise. It takes a while, (sometimes several weeks), for nerves to come back. Nerve recovery is hard to predict. Make sure you keep your surgeon informed.

Amir Nakhdjevani, MBBS, MRCS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Numbness in the neck after neck lipo procedure is completely normal, there has been trauma to the nerves therefore taking a few weeks for sensation to return.  If it is any longer than this please seek advice from your plastic surgeon.All The Best

Mike Majmundar, MD · Answer

The numbness after neck liposuction is very common and I inform my patients about this before any neck procedures. This happens as a result of the separation of the skin from the underlying tissue and stretching of the nerves during liposuction. The nerves almost always return though in some patients it can take some time. Likewise, the nerve to the corner of the mouth can be stretched or bruised in much the same way causing a transient crooked smile. Nerves are generally slow to heal so it can take some time for function and sensation to return but most patients experience recovery as quick as 1 month and others may take up to 6 months, sometimes longer. The good news is that things will get better. Good Luck!

Laurence Weider, MD · Answer

After liposuction, it is typical to have areas of numbness for several weeks. Most likely the numbness will resolve over the next few months. In addition, the weakness of your lip is common after liposuction is performed under the chin. This can also last a few weeks to a few months. While nerve injury is possible, it is likely that the numbness and weakness will go away. I would not be worried one week after your procedure.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

It is not unusual for the neck to feel numb in areas for several weeks after liposuction.  The nerves are not severed, but they can be bruised by the procedure and take a few weeks to fully recover.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

This can occur and probable most likely due to swelling.  The best thing to do is allow everything to settle, soften and heal.  More than likely these issues will resolve.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

Numbness always happens and can take easily up to 8 weeks to go away.
Crooked smile is from stretching of marginal mandibular nerves and will start getting better every week. Although it is very disconcerting, it does recover completely in pretty much all cases.
I advise patients to move their lips and chin all the time to exercise those muscles for early recovery of function.
Regards

D.J. Verret, MD · Answer

Numbness after liposuction is normal. One week is very early in the healing process and I would expect the feeling to return over time though some permanent numbness is always possible. As to the crooked smile, this is more concerning. This may be due to swelling or actual nerve damage. Unfortunately time will tell if this will resolve or not but not much can be done in either event.

Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS · Answer

Wagner2167,

	Thanks for the question.  It is not unusual at all to have numbness following liposuction.  At one week, you are very early in the healing process.  The numbness may take several weeks to completely resolve, and should not cause alarm.  The crooked smile is typically secondary to bruising or stretching of the marginal mandibular nerve. This, again, can take several weeks to resolve. If you have concerns, I recommend following up with your surgeon.

	Warmest Regards,

	Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS

Carmen Kavali, MD · Answer

One week after surgery is very early--you still have swelling. The numbness you have should resolve over time (can take weeks or even sometimes a few months). The smile issue you have is usually related to swelling around the motor nerve to the lower lip--this also should resolve over time, but may take longer than the numbness to improve.

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