Nerve Damage on Lip? (photo)

The photo does not provide enough information to give a complete answer.  Facial nerve injury in Facelift is very rare and generally pertains to an injury of one of the five main branches of the VIIth Cranial Nerve.  If there is irregularity in motion of the upper lip, it would suggest a paresis of the buccal branch(es).  Luckily, there are usually many cross branches of the buccal division, making full recovery very likely.  The time frame can be form 6 weeks to 18 months.

Injuries to the branches of the facial nerve can occur during facelift surgery.  In the vast majority of cases the weakness and asymmetry associated with the injury are temporary.  Recovery time for full recovery can vary from 6 weeks to 1 - 1.5 years.  

Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS, FRCSC, FACS.