If you have experienced total or partial facial paralysis and the loss of the ability to move certain muscles in the face, you may be a candidate for facial reanimation surgery. Due to a variety of causes, such as a tumor, Bell’s Palsy, stroke, traumatic injury, and others, facial paralysis can inhibit your ability to express yourself. Not only can facial paralysis prevent you from smiling and closing your eyes during sleep, it can have a significant and debilitating effect on your appearance. The New York Plastic Surgical Group’s Facial Reanimation Center, led by reconstructive surgeon Roger Simpson, MD, FACS, can provide consultation to determine if facial reanimation surgery is the best treatment option for your needs.
Please contact NYPS Group to find out if you may be a facial reanimation surgery candidate. We will be happy to answer your questions.
Did you know?
A consultation with Dr. Simpson is the best way to determine if facial reanimation surgery is the best treatment option for your needs.
What Can Be Achieved With Facial Reanimation Surgery?
Although total facial paralysis on both sides of the face has been known to occur, it is relatively rare. The most common type of facial paralysis is the loss of movement on one side of the face. Facial reanimation surgery may improve the loss of balance and function on that side. Restoration of the smile with renewed motion is the primary goal of facial reanimation surgery. Procedures offered here at our center can restore mobility to the lips and reduce the loss of saliva from the lower lip region. They can also improve speech changes related to altered lip motion. Corrections to the paralyzed upper and lower eyelid can improve the ability to fully close the eyelids and protect the cornea. This may also decrease the symptoms of excessive tearing, corneal dryness, and exposure.
Good candidates for facial reanimation surgery include those who are experiencing loss or alteration of voluntary movement and/or noticeable changes in one side of facial areas including:
- Lips
- Cheeks
- Eyelids
- Eyebrows
- Forehead
Facial reanimation surgery options will vary for each patient. A number of factors will go into determining whether facial reanimation surgery is the best option to treat your specific needs. These include:
- Degree of paralysis in the area involved
- Strength of the opposite side of the face
- Duration of paralysis
- Your age and state of health
Your Consultation
During your initial consultation with Dr. Simpson, you will be carefully examined to determine the extent of paralysis. Our surgeon will answer your questions and discuss all of your options with you. At this initial meeting, we can determine if the indications for facial reanimation surgery are present, or if other treatment, such as therapy, may be more beneficial. If you do not live near the Long Island and Manhattan, New York area, NYPS Group can perform a virtual evaluation with you on-line or over the phone. Contact our practice for more information.
For further information on the New York Plastic Surgical Group, our history, and our doctors, please visit our main website at www.lipsg.com.
Did you know?
NYPS Group can perform a virtual evaluation with you on-line or over the phone if you do not live in the greater NYC area.
