Atlanta, GA
Feel like yourself again
Dr. Julia Kerolus is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who specializes in innovative surgical and non-surgical techniques to treat facial paralysis. Dr. Kerolus is committed to helping improve the quality of life for patients suffering from facial paralysis by restoring facial symmetry and function. Learn more about how patients just like you get life-changing results through facial reanimation surgery in Atlanta with Dr. Kerolus.
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The power of balance
Facial reanimation surgery restores function, movement, or symmetry to the face following trauma, Bell’s Palsy, or nerve damage. While there are multiple strategies and techniques, the principle behind facial reanimation remains the same; treat the sectors of the face where nerves have been damaged or stopped working and attempt to restore function.
The structure of the face is complex, but it may help to think of the nerves in your face like the roots of a tree. The largest cluster of nerves in the face radiates from the brain stem to the forehead, brows, eyes, cheeks, mouth, tongue, neck, and chin. Smaller bundles of nerves branch out from these, controlling facial expressions, movements, and even certain taste receptors of the tongue. Through careful intervention, Atlanta reanimation surgery expert Dr. Kerolus can isolate the nerves that appear to be damaged or not functioning properly and restore symmetry and movement through one of several facial reanimation techniques, which she will review with you during your consultation.
Facial reanimation surgery can restore facial expression and functionality following nerve damage, injury, or episodes like Bell’s Palsy.
It can also help treat other conditions related to nerve damage, like synkinesis, which is involuntary muscle movement or spasm of facial muscles. Synkinesis can develop after any form of facial paralysis and may result in facial asymmetry, tightness, and pain. All of these conditions can be extremely difficult to manage. In addition to negatively impacting your ability to function practically, it also feels really scary to not be able to control what your face is doing. Facial reconstruction surgery puts you back in control of your facial movements, restoring your health, beauty, dignity, and autonomy.
Helping you decide
Facial reanimation surgery is an effective way to treat facial paralysis or synkinesis that has lasted more than six to 12 months. Many patients with Bell’s Palsy, for example, recover without significant intervention. If symptoms persist and nerve damage continues to affect facial movements, facial nerve surgery may be an option. The type of reanimation procedure depends entirely on your condition and symptoms. Patients with complete paralysis have different treatment options than patients with partial paralysis or synkinesis. Some patients may benefit from non-surgical intervention alone or as an adjunct to surgery.
If you are not healthy enough to undergo lengthy surgery, you may be excluded from consideration. The best way to tell if you are a good candidate for this procedure is with a consultation, where Dr. Kerolus will review your history, symptoms, prior treatments, and goals. She will then develop a customized treatment plan for you. She answers all of your questions and will encourage you to have a second opinion if you are still unsure after your consultation. The most important priority for Dr. Kerolus is that you get the correct treatment to solve your facial paralysis symptoms.
Making it right
Depending on the nature of your paralysis, Dr. Kerolus will use one or multiple procedures to restore your ability to move your face comfortably. Prior to your procedure for Reanimation Surgery Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kerolus will review your treatment options in detail during your consultation should you require any of the following procedures:
Botox is a safe and effective treatment option for facial asymmetry caused by Bell’s palsy or synkinesis. It relaxes unwanted muscle movement and tension caused by synkinesis on the affected side of the face. It can also help restore symmetry in expression when injected into the unaffected side of the face.
Dermal fillers may be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments to restore volume and enhance results.
Selective neurectomy surgery is an advanced surgical option for patients with partial paralysis or synkinesis that helps reduce abnormal facial movements, tightness, and asymmetry. Dr. Kerolus trained at the Facial Paralysis Institute in Beverly Hills, where she gained expertise in this revolutionary technique. The surgery involves careful identification of the nerves that counteract the smile mechanism and decreases their activity. This allows the corner of the mouth and upper lip to elevate, restoring a natural smile.
Some patients benefit from surgery in other areas of the face to improve overall facial symmetry. Such procedures may include brow lifts, eyelid lifts, facial implants, fat grafting, or facelifts. Both sides of the face may require treatment to provide the most natural and balanced result.
Recovery time varies based on the extent of surgery. Some procedures need only a few days of downtime, while others require weeks to months of recovery.
It’s important to follow all instructions carefully to help minimize complications and ensure proper healing. The result of the surgery will also depend on the type of surgery you undergo and can take time to develop as the tissue and nerves continue to heal. In most cases, the recovery course will involve some form of rehabilitation as your brain re-maps your neural pathways.
Dr. Kerolus can help
Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Julia Kerolus cares about her patients and wants to help them put their best face forward. If facial paralysis or synkinesis are making daily life difficult, Dr. Kerolus can help. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about your options for facial reanimation surgery.
The Journey Forward
Dr. Kerolus has helped many Atlanta reanimation surgery patients regain facial symmetry and improve smile function. Facial nerve surgery is complex and requires patients to have realistic expectations before undergoing the procedure. While facial reanimation surgery can provide significant improvement in facial balance, attractiveness, and function, it cannot restore the face exactly as it was before paralysis. Most patients, however, find the surgery to be worthwhile once they see the outcome.
Schedule a Consultation
Taking care of yourself is about more than just annual check-ups and eating right. You also want to preserve your ability to look and feel your best. If you feel like you have an area that you want to improve through plastic surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kerolus. She will make sure you find the right treatment for your best results.
1218 West Paces Ferry Road Northwest, Suite 108, Atlanta, GA 30327
Mon-Thurs: 9am - 5pm
Fri: 9am - 1pm
