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Forehead Spasm After Mini Face Lift & Upper Lower Bleph?

I just had a mini facelift and upper and lower bleph. three weeks ago. Yesterday morning I woke up, went upstairs to wash my face and when I touched the washcloth to my forehead, my forehead reacted, suddenly spasming upwards and I couldn't control it. It only lasted 8 seconds but I wanted to know what that could have been. Nothing else has happened before or since. Could it just be an anomaly or is there some reason?

Doctor Answers 10

Forehead spasm after facelift is unusual and temporary

September 5th, 2013
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Thank you for your question. As others have explained it is likely due to stretching and irritation of the frontal branch of your facial nerve. Fortunately you do not have weakness which would be a serious problem.

It sounds as though it was temporary and should not recur.

Be sure to notify your surgeon.

Web reference: http://drseckel.com/surgical-procedures/face-lift/

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS

Forehead Spasm After Mini Face Lift & Upper Lower Bleph?

August 30th, 2013
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After any facial procedure, during the healing period, you may have some abnormal contractions of muscles; as long as they are not persistent, they can be ignored, but if the condition becomes persistent, a specialist needs to be seen and it may be treated with simple procedures like Botox, but it is very unlikely for this type of symptoms to be permanent.

S. Ozan Sozer, MD

Forehead Spasm After Mini Face Lift & Upper Lower Bleph?

August 26th, 2013
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Dear uwilldk,

Thank you for your question.  The facial nerve that transmits signals to the forehead muscles tends to be a little stretched right after a face lift.  This can cause temporary spasms.  This will normalize as the nerve grows to accomodate the stretch and the swelling goes down.

Best Wishes,

Pablo PRichard, MD

Pablo Prichard, MD

Pablo Prichard, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 40 reviews

Forehead spasm after blepharoplasty and mini face lift.

August 26th, 2013
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Thank you for asking about the forehead spasms after your blepharoplasties and mini-lift.

  1. Your frontalis muscle over-reacted to touch.
  2. This is believed to be from temporary facial muscle imbalance after face lift or eye surgery. It is uncommon and temporary.
  3. Botox can stop the spasms until time takes care of it. Best wishes.
  •  
Elizabeth Morgan, MD, PhD

Healing after surgery

August 26th, 2013
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This will be temporary and will improve, small twitches and tingling sensations can occur during the healing process, especially during the first 2-6m. 

Dilip D. Madnani, MD, FACS

Dilip D. Madnani, MD, FACS
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 69 reviews

Muscle spasm of forehead after mini face lift and 4 lid blephroplasty.

August 26th, 2013
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Thank you for this question. Based on the information you provided I believe this is just a temporary irritation of the nerves to your forehead and is not uncommon. Swelling of the face and around the nerves can cause your symptoms. 

If this continues make a appointment with your surgeon and ask him/ her their advice.

Robert A. Hardesty, MD, FACS

Forehead muscle spasms after surgery

August 25th, 2013
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Muscle spasm after surgery is not uncommon and is not harmful.  More than likely this will subside over the next several months.  

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 15 reviews

Muscle spasm is quite common after surgery

August 25th, 2013
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Hello,

Thank you for the question.  Both the muscle and the nerves that control the muscles are sensitive to swelling as well as the electrolyte changes in your body which can occur with surgery.  Its not harmful or uncommon.  If it happens consistently or its troublesome to you your plastic surgeon can offer some solutions but until then I would not worry about it.

All the best,

Dr. Remus Repta

Web reference: http://drrepta.com

Remus Repta, MD

Remus Repta, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 153 reviews

Forehead spasm

August 25th, 2013
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This should only be a temporary nerve stimulation issue and should resolve quickly.  If not, make an appointment for an evaluation by your surgeon.

Malcolm D. Paul, M.D.

Malcolm D. Paul, MD

Malcolm D. Paul, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
4.3 out of 5 stars 8 reviews

Frontalis spasm after mini facelift probably just coincidental.

August 27th, 2013
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The nerve innervating the frontalis muscle is potentially in jeopardy with a facelift. Some inflammation in the vicinity of the nerve could trigger activity generating spasm. This should be self-limited.

Web reference: http://www.zubowicz.com/subpag,23-atlanta-facelift.htm

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 31 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.