Question: Could you explain Bell's palsy in terms of full recovery? I have had it for 13 months and have had some improvement. Would it be safe to have eyelid surgery?

Dr. Hibberd's Answer:

Bell's palsy treatment has remained somewhat in flux from decade-to-decade reflecting a lack of understanding as to why this usually self-limited condition remains a problem for some in the long term, while others have a short period of facial nerve palsy with a rapid, full, and complete recovery within several weeks.

Since this condition involves a palsy of facial musculature, facial surgery is not usually advisable since a newly corrected area with palsy may need re-correction once the palsy resolves. This is not the best time to plan facial cosmetic surgery, at least until the affected area has remained unimproved for three months or more, unless you are willing to obtain re-correction in four to six months.