Post op numbness following facelift or brow surgery?

Hello! Thank you for your question! Numbness after any surgical
procedure is expected for several weeks to months following. As the
nerves to the area are traumatized and will then experience a temporary
neuropraxia, a transient loss of nerve conduction. This usually
resolves over the next 6-12 weeks, but depending on the procedure
performed, sometimes much longer. Typically this should resolve by 1
year. As it goes past this date, the likelihood of the sensation
returning is small. However, it can take up to 2 years. If no return
from there, it is unlikely to return. It should be discussed that
persistent sensory changes may develop following any surgical
procedure. The usual signs of the nerves regenerating and neuropraxia
resolving is itching, followed by a burning sensation and then
occasional sharp, shock-like pains. These will be normal to experience,
and actually a promising sign. Usually, normal sensation returns, but
is is also possible to have decreased sensation or even increased
sensation to the areas affected. Re-educating nerves postoperatively is
often helpful and will allow proper instruction for the affected
sensory nerves - methods include using different textures to the
affected areas when showering, bathing, applying lotion, etc. If
bothersome, there are some medications that may be helpful, including
Neurontin for pain for hypersensitivity. You can try various textures
such as washcloths, loofahs, cotton sheets, etc. Massaging the areas is
also beneficial for the incision to make the finest scar possible. The
last place to regain the sensation will be directly adjacent to the
incision/scar as the nerves will make its way from the periphery to this
location. If continual pain arises, evaluation is warranted. After
ruling out other causes, one rare explanation may be that a neuroma has
developed and may require surgical excision. This is very unlikely
unless a large sensory nerve has been transected inadvertently during
the procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Numbness is to be expected after facelift or browlift surgery.  Every patient's sensation returns at different intervals, however numbness is expected to last approximately 6-12 months.  The areas that will definitely be effected are near the earlobe or under the chin, as well as in the hairline of the scalp.  

Most patients have a return of sensation at one year. However, the sensation is altered somewhat from the pre-operative state.

After a facelift short-term numbness always occurs. Usually by six months to a year patient states that The face feels as it did before surgery although commonly they can point out small areas of numbness particularly behind the ear. Precise neurologic testing would show some diminished sensibility in all facelift patients even years after the procedure.

The only true way to answer this is to say 0% of my patients say their face or brow feels EXACTLY like it did prior to surgery.  The incision line from ANY surgery and some of the skin around it can have decreased sensation for months or permanenetly after surgery.  The areas of decreased sensation are typically very small and of no consequence to my patients.  It doesn't affect their recovery nor their result.

Most patient experience some numbness after a facelift or brow lift surgery with most of the sensation returning back after a year or so. No one person is similar so each experience can be different for each individual.

grace60-There is always some altered sensation after any incision. Typically it will return within a year, but it is not uncommon to have altered sensation permanently over your incision. If you are looking for someone in your area for your facelift, I would recommend Dr. Todd Lefkowitz in Columbia, SC. He has a special interest in facelift and trained with some of the masters in the field. He does outstanding work and would take great care of you. His website is below. Good luck.

During any facelift operation, tiny nerve endings that supply sensation to the skin must be severed. Nerves grow back at a very slow rate, eventually restoring sensation. For most patients, this occurs over several months to one year. Rarely, patients notice some long-lasting or permanent alteration in sensation, but the benefits of looking years younger always outweigh this (no patient of ours  has ever regretted having a facelift due to some altered sensation behind the ear). Hope that helps!

every 1 has loss of sensation after a facelift or brow lift.  Most of that sensation returns over 1 year's time.  But I don't think anything ever returns exactly as it was before as this is a significant surgery.  I make my patients aware of this before surgery and they don't seem to be bothered by it so long as they are aware of it.  Some patients whom I have met in the past who have had surgery elsewhere were concerned about it but once I explained to them that it is essentially common and everyone who has a facelift they seem less concerned.I hope that was helpful to you.  Even if it has been a year since her facelift you'll probably find that the sensation as a little better as the months and years go by.Chase Lay, MDdouble board-certified facial plastic surgeon

The answer to your question, as you asked it, is that no one ever gets back sensation "exactly" like it was before surgery.  However almost everyone has return of sensation enough that they do not worry about it, nor does it bother them at all.  To get to the state takes about 6 months to a year and, occasionally, requires some work at sensibility reeducation.  The majority of people don't really notice a difference in most areas after several months.  Also, most people are so happy with the results of the surgery, mild differences in sensation in areas where you rarely concentrate on what you feel seen a trivial trade off.  As good as I am in detecting these differences, I only have 1 small place that I never think about