Ask Dr. Seckel » Blog Archive » Dear Dr. Seckel, I had a face lift 4 months ago. Now my upper right lip doesn’t move properly. When I try to pucker my lips the right upper lip doesn’t pucker. When I press my upper lip to my lower lip and put pressure on it the middle of my upper lip moves to the left quite a bit which does not look very good. It is difficult for me to eat. My upper right lip will move upwards and my smile is fine. My surgeon told me that he may have damaged my orbicularis oris muscle during the surgery. He explained to me that he separated my skin from the corner of my mouth up to my ear to allow him to try to minimize a wrinkle that was at the corner of my mouth. I saw some improvement in my upper lip during the first couple of months but have not seen any improvement for over a month. The right side of my face is still numb in several places. Will my upper lip improve with more time? Can this condition be permanent? Thank you in advance for your reply. Sherri, Dana Point, CA

Dear Dr. Seckel, I had a face lift 4 months ago. Now my upper right lip doesn’t move properly. When I try to pucker my lips the right upper lip doesn’t pucker. When I press my upper lip to my lower lip and put pressure on it the middle of my upper lip moves to the left quite a bit which does not look very good. It is difficult for me to eat. My upper right lip will move upwards and my smile is fine. My surgeon told me that he may have damaged my orbicularis oris muscle during the surgery. He explained to me that he separated my skin from the corner of my mouth up to my ear to allow him to try to minimize a wrinkle that was at the corner of my mouth. I saw some improvement in my upper lip during the first couple of months but have not seen any improvement for over a month. The right side of my face is still numb in several places. Will my upper lip improve with more time? Can this condition be permanent? Thank you in advance for your reply. Sherri, Dana Point, CA

Dear Sheri,

Most likely the buccal branch of the facial nerve was injured during the surgery.

Buccal branch nerve injuries usually recover because there are many other branches of the nerve in this

region that can take over the function.

The problem is that it is important to maintain the viability and function of the muscle while it is

waiting for the nerve to grow back.

I am also a neurologist and these types of injuries are usually referred to me in the Boston Area.

My policy is to treat the paralyzed muscle with DC (direct Current)

muscle stimulation which causes the muscle to contract and keeps it

functioning while the nerve is growing back.

I can send you a muscle stimulator with instructions on its use if you

wish since you do not live near Boston.

If you would like to arrange this please call my practice manager Kathleen Burke at 978-369-4499. I am copying her this email above.

If you would like to learn more about this injury you may read my book

"Facial Danger Zones" which is available from Quality Medical Publishers:

You may also read more about the face lift by visiting my website or reading Save Your Face.

Thank you,

Dr Seckel

Concord, Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 27th, 2008 at 12:52 pm and is filed under Face Lift, Unhappy Results. Both comments and pings are currently closed.