Nerve Damage After MACS Facelift 15 Months Ago?

Question

I have nerve damage on my left side of my upper lip when I talk and when I smile. When you look at me at rest I look perfectly fine. My main problem is when I speak, the right side of my mouth works perfectly fine, but the left side still moves but not as much as the right looking like I talk out of the side of my mouth. I had a MACS lift, brow lift, buccal fat removal on the left cheek. My PS has said that he has never seen this and is sending me to a Neurologist. Is this permanent?

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

Unfortunately, it sounds like that you have an injury to the Buccal branch of your facial nerve on the left.  Since it has been 15 months it is more likely that this is permanent.  In my opinion there si not much an Nerurologist can offer at this point.

	Dr. ES

Scott C. Sattler, MD, FACS · Answer

It sounds like you sustained an injury to the buccal branch of the facial nerve, which is closely associated with the buccal fat pad. There is substantial 'cross over' between the buccal branch and the other adjacent facial nerve branches - so its likely that you'll recover function of the muscles that this nerve controls - but this can take a long time - years in some cases.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Nerves can recover for up to 2 years after injury, but, after 15 months, recovery is less likely.  Going to a neurologist may be helpful.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Frank P. Fechner, MD · Answer

15 months is usually sufficient time for recovery of temporary nerve weakness due to stretching and bruising of the nerve.

	Let me speculate that your asymmetrical smile is due to weakness of the zygomaticus muscles on the left, most likely a result of the buccal fat extraction on this side.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Damage to the facial nerve is an extremely rare complication of the facelift. Temporary motor weakness can be byproduct of swelling and minor trauma. This generally recovers in a matter of weeks. After 15 months is unlikely to fully recover.

Nerve Damage After MACS Facelift 15 Months Ago?

Answers (8)