The Facial Paralysis Institute

The Facial Paralysis Institute The premier center for facial nerve disorders including facial paralysis and bell's palsy. Feel free to ask a question or call anytime, we will be glad to help.

The Facial Paralysis Institute is the premier center for facial nerve disorders including facial paralysis, bell's palsy, hemifacial spasm, acoustic neuroma and parotid tumors. The Institute is comprised of world-renowned experts from various specialties that are singularly focused on facial nerve disorders - including facial plastic surgeons, neuro-otologists, physical therapists, head and neck surgeons, radiologists, neurosurgeons and psychologists. Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, the Director of The Facial Paralysis Institute, is a Reconstructive Surgeon who is deeply committed to the treatment of individuals with facial paralysis and Bells palsy. Facial paralysis and Bell's Palsy are devastating disorders that can significantly impact an individuals quality of life and appearance. This is the reason that we believe a multi-specialty approach is required to address your needs with physicians and therapists who have extensive experience in facial nerve disorders. The Institute has some of the highest success rates in the nation for the treatment of Bells Palsy and facial paralysis. Highly respected by peers and patients alike, The Facial Paralysis Institute is the premier facility in the nation for the treatment of facial paralysis.

03/14/2026

Not every patient is ready for surgery right away — and that’s okay.

For individuals living with facial paralysis or synkinesis, treatment doesn’t always begin in the operating room. Sometimes the first step is understanding how the facial muscles are working and how they interact with one another.

That’s where Botox mapping can play an important role.

By carefully placing small, targeted injections, we can temporarily adjust specific muscle groups and observe how the face responds. This allows both the patient and the physician to better understand patterns of imbalance, compensation, and movement before considering a surgical plan.

For patients who cannot move forward with surgery in the immediate future, Botox mapping can provide meaningful relief while also serving as a guide for future treatment decisions.

Care doesn’t have to be rushed.
Sometimes the best approach is thoughtful, step-by-step planning. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

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Not ready for surgery yet?

Botox mapping can help us understand facial muscle patterns and guide future treatment — while also improving balance in the meantime.

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

BotoxMapping FacialParalysis Synkinesis MedicalEducation PlasticSurgery

03/13/2026

Pregnancy brings many changes to the body — but few expect it to affect the facial nerve.

Bell’s palsy is a sudden form of facial paralysis that can cause weakness or loss of movement on one side of the face. For many patients, the onset feels alarming and unexpected.

What many people don’t realize is that Bell’s palsy has been observed more frequently during pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester and early postpartum period.

Why? Pregnancy creates significant changes in the body — from fluid retention and circulation shifts to hormonal and immune system changes. These factors may increase vulnerability of the facial nerve, making temporary paralysis more likely in some individuals.

In this video, we discuss the relationship between pregnancy and Bell’s palsy, and why early recognition and evaluation are so important.

For patients experiencing sudden facial weakness, prompt care can help guide treatment and protect long-term facial function.

Understanding leads to reassurance — and reassurance leads to better care. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

03/06/2026

Synkinesis isn’t just tightness — it’s miscommunication between nerves and muscles.

After facial paralysis, regenerating nerves can heal in unintended pathways. The result is involuntary movement: the eye narrowing when smiling, the neck tightening when speaking, the cheek pulling without control.

Botox plays an important role in restoring balance.

Dr. Azizzadeh carefully injects targeted areas affected by synkinesis. The goal isn’t to freeze expression — it’s to quiet overactive muscles, reduce unwanted movement, and allow more natural coordination to emerge.

Treatment requires precision. Each injection is placed with an understanding of facial nerve anatomy, compensation patterns, and long-term symmetry.

For many patients, Botox is not cosmetic — it is functional therapy that improves comfort, control, and confidence.

Subtle adjustments.
Intentional placement.
Meaningful relief. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

03/05/2026

Facial paralysis affects more than movement — it affects identity, confidence, and connection.

During Facial Paralysis Awareness Week, we pause to recognize the millions of individuals living with facial nerve disorders. Behind every asymmetrical smile or still expression is a person navigating challenges that extend far beyond what is visible.

Facial paralysis can impact speech, eye closure, eating, and emotional expression. It can change how someone is perceived before they even have the chance to speak. And for many patients, the emotional weight of being misunderstood can be just as significant as the physical symptoms.

Awareness matters because early recognition leads to timely care.

Understanding reduces stigma.
Education creates empowerment.

At the Facial Paralysis Institute, we are committed to advancing specialized facial nerve treatment, supporting patients at every stage of recovery, and continuing to raise awareness about this often-overlooked condition.

This week, we stand with the facial paralysis community.

To listen.
To educate.

And to remind every patient that they are not alone. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

Facial reanimation is not a moment — it’s a long-term partnership.Ten years ago, this 59-year-old patient underwent faci...
02/28/2026

Facial reanimation is not a moment — it’s a long-term partnership.

Ten years ago, this 59-year-old patient underwent facial reanimation surgery to restore movement and improve facial balance after paralysis. A decade later, she still returns for follow-up care and Botox management — not because something is wrong, but because maintenance matters.

Facial paralysis recovery doesn’t end after surgery. Muscles change. Aging continues. Subtle imbalances can reappear over time. Ongoing care helps preserve symmetry, soften tension, and maintain the results achieved years earlier.

This before-and-after reflects more than surgical success. It reflects commitment — from both patient and surgeon — to long-term facial harmony and function.

Reanimation restores movement.
Follow-up care protects it.

Ten years later, her journey continues — and so does our partnership. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

02/26/2026

Aesthetic surgery in facial paralysis is not about vanity — it’s about balance.

When someone experiences facial paralysis, the focus is often placed on restoring movement. But movement is only one part of the picture. Long-term asymmetry, muscle imbalance, and volume differences can affect how the face rests, ages, and expresses emotion.

Aesthetic refinement plays an essential role in restoring harmony — not to change how someone looks, but to help their outer appearance better reflect how they feel inside.

In this video, we explain why aesthetic surgery is often a critical component of comprehensive facial paralysis care. Subtle adjustments can improve symmetry, soften compensatory tension, and enhance overall facial balance.

Function and aesthetics are not separate — they work together.

For many patients, aesthetic surgery is the final step in feeling whole again. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

02/20/2026

True balance reveals itself over time.

At 24 years old, this patient underwent selective neurolysis combined with DAO resection to address facial imbalance caused by synkinesis and uncoordinated muscle activation.

Before surgery, involuntary muscle firing interfered with natural expression — smiling could trigger tension, and resting facial posture often felt effortful. Selective neurolysis was performed to quiet misdirected nerve signals, while DAO resection reduced downward pull at the corners of the mouth, allowing expression to feel more controlled and balanced.

Now, two years post-op, her results reflect long-term stability. Movement appears more intentional, symmetry is improved at rest and with expression, and her face moves with greater ease — without the tightness that once dominated her expressions.

These before-and-after images show the power of precision and patience. Thoughtful surgical planning, combined with time, allows results to mature naturally.

This is not about changing a face — it’s about restoring harmony and letting expression feel like her own again. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

02/18/2026

Facial paralysis can begin suddenly — and knowing who to see matters.

If you notice facial weakness, asymmetry, difficulty closing your eye, or changes in your smile, seeking the right evaluation early is critical. Not all facial paralysis is the same, and proper diagnosis determines the path forward.

Many patients aren’t sure where to start. Should you see your primary care physician? A neurologist? An emergency room doctor? A facial nerve specialist?

In this video, we explain who to see — and when — if you suspect you’ve developed facial paralysis.

Early assessment can help identify the cause, protect eye health, guide treatment options, and improve long-term outcomes.

When it comes to facial nerve changes, time and expertise both matter.

If you’re experiencing symptoms, don’t wait.
📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

They made a whole movie about it. I just made her smile again. 25 years after a bullet stole her ability to smile, Mary ...
02/13/2026

They made a whole movie about it. I just made her smile again.

25 years after a bullet stole her ability to smile, Mary Jo Buttafuoco trusted me to do what others said couldn’t be done.

Selective neurolysis. Deep plane facelift.

One surgery. One new chapter.

Now her incredible story is a Lifetime movie — I Am Mary Jo Buttafuoco — and being portrayed on screen as the surgeon in her journey is an honor.

But the real honor? It was the day Mary Jo looked in the mirror and smiled for the first time in over two decades. That’s the scene no movie can fully capture.

The moment a patient smiles for the first time in decades - that never gets old. That never stops being the point.
📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com
DeepPlaneFacelift

02/06/2026

Facial paralysis doesn’t just affect movement — it can quietly influence how the face changes over time.

When muscles aren’t firing evenly, one side of the face may work harder while the other remains weaker. Over the years, this imbalance can impact symmetry, tone, and the way aging shows up in the face.

In this video, we explore an important and often overlooked question:
Does facial paralysis affect the way you age?

Understanding these changes isn’t about fear — it’s about awareness. With the right guidance, thoughtful treatment, and long-term planning, patients can support facial balance, function, and confidence as time moves forward.

Aging happens to everyone.
But care should always be individualized.

Knowledge is the first step toward feeling informed, empowered, and seen. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

02/06/2026

There’s a part of facial paralysis that isn’t always visible — the quiet moments of self-doubt, the hesitation before a smile, the emotional weight of not recognizing your own reflection.

In this patient testimonial, she shares what it’s been like to move through that uncertainty. The frustration, the vulnerability, and the strength it takes to keep believing in herself throughout the process.

Healing isn’t just about physical change.
It’s about learning to trust your body again.
About finding patience when progress feels slow.
And about holding onto hope, even on the hard days.

Her story is a reminder that recovery is deeply personal — shaped by resilience, courage, and the decision to keep going, one step at a time.

This is what it looks like to show up for yourself. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

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9401 Wilshire Boulevard, Ste 650
Beverly Hills, CA
90212

Telephone

+13106572203

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