Submentoplasty with neck contouring

My face and neck continue to get better each month. However, my smile and speech are still not 100%. I have had multiple consultations with my doctor and am assured that it is temporary paralysis of the Marginal Mandibular Nerve. I am told that any improvement at all from the outset means that the nerve will fully recover, but can take a year or longer. Recovery has been quite a process for me. I and not the most patient of people, and have had some dark lows because the face in the mirror wasn’t mine. If you’re considering this surgery, keep the end game in mind and be prepared for a LONG recovery period. Having said all that, I look more like a much-improved version of myself each day, and am more and more pleased with my decision to have surgery.

The swelling continues to get better each day, but is still worse in my left side. I would say that my swelling is, at best, 70% of the way back to normal. My incision is closed and healing nicely. I still have a lot of tightness, and my movements don’t look completely natural. I am also still having issues with my speech and smile. I have a 6 week follow-up appointment on Monday and plan to address these issues. I am also hoping for some steroid injections to speed up the swelling in some particularly lumpy areas. It’s getting there, even if it is slow going.

My profile looks like I always dreamed it would! However, I don’t think I fully understood the impact to my jawline and speech. Liposuction really traumatizes your body! Healing is slow going, but it is happening. I am trying to focus on the end game, but it is a challenge. I feel like I smile and speak strangely and that people are staring. I hope that part returns to normal soon!