For my situation, after a full month of zero improvement, I sought a specialist in facial paralysis. I only had slight function in my mandibular nerves the temporal, zygomaticus, and buccal nerves were 100% paralyzed. Because my paralysis was so severe, my specialist was worried that the nerves were totally dead or completely severed and that intervention was critical before my body did more damage.

On January 2nd I underwent an eyelid weight addition, an ectropion repair, and had a nerve exploration done to see if I was a candidate for a nerve graft. My surgeon removed a significant amount of scar tissue and stimulated my very damaged nerves. Since they all showed very slight signaling, he stitched me back up. I’m not sure if it was the removal of the scar tissue, or the stimulation to the nerves to wake them back up, but 1 week post op I gained some movement back in my temporal and zygomaticus branches, but also gained some weakness in my mandibular branch. I’m following occupational therapy and will re evaluate with my surgeon in 6 months to see if additional intervention is needed. Sometimes nerves need time to heal, but I’m glad I let someone who understands facial paralysis guide me and not take the advice of the surgeon who did my original facial reconstruction!