The Facial Paralysis Institute

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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.

12/18/2025

Every facial paralysis journey is unique — and sometimes, the first surgery doesn’t bring the outcome a patient hoped for.

After an unsuccessful facial reanimation procedure at another institution, this patient came to us seeking answers, clarity, and a path forward.

She is now beginning Stage 1 of a two-stage customized revision facial reanimation, utilizing nerve grafts and selective neurolysis to carefully restore balance and movement.

This is the start of a new chapter — guided by precision, experience, and a deeply personalized surgical plan.

Follow along as we walk with her through each step of this journey. 💙

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

FacialNerveInjury NerveGraft SelectiveNeurolysis TwoStageSurgery PreOp PreSurgery PatientJourney FacialReconstruction ReconstructiveSurgery Microsurgery PlasticSurgery FacialPlasticSurgery Neuromuscular ParalysisAwareness MedicalJourney SurgicalCare SpecialtySurgery HealthcareEducation

12/15/2025

Facial movement can return after paralysis — but control doesn’t always follow.

Synkinesis occurs when facial muscles begin activating together instead of separately. Smiling may cause the eye to tighten. Speaking can trigger pulling. Even rest can feel strained.

These changes affect far more than appearance. They influence comfort, expression, and how someone experiences everyday moments.

With specialized facial nerve care, treatment focuses on improving coordination, reducing tension, and restoring balance across the face. Progress is highly individualized and guided by deep expertise in facial paralysis recovery.

Synkinesis is complex — but it is manageable.

If involuntary movement or persistent tightness is part of your experience after facial paralysis, know that targeted care can make a meaningful difference.

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

12/11/2025

Four years ago, this 54-year-old patient walked into the Facial Paralysis Institute feeling defeated by the effects of Bell’s palsy.
Her smile didn’t feel like hers. Her eye would close without warning. Every expression took effort.

Synkinesis had reshaped the way she moved through the world — and she wanted her face to reflect how she truly felt inside.

Today, her transformation is nothing short of powerful.
Through expert facial reanimation surgery and continued Botox maintenance, her movement is smoother, softer, and finally hers again.

What once felt unpredictable is now controlled.
What once felt tight is now relaxed.
What once felt lost has been restored.

These results didn’t happen overnight — they happened with dedication, trust, and a team committed to giving her back the freedom to express herself naturally.

If you’re living with synkinesis, know this:
Healing is possible. Change is possible. And you don’t have to accept the way things are forever.

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

12/05/2025

When the facial nerve begins to recover on its own, the regrowth can become “miswired” without proper guidance.
That miswiring leads to synkinesis — involuntary movements like the eye closing when you smile or the cheek tightening when you blink.

Common signs that develop without early intervention:
➡️ Increased facial tightness
➡️ Overactive muscles on one side
➡️ Involuntary eye or mouth movements
➡️ Trouble creating natural, balanced expressions
➡️ Difficulty relaxing the face

Early treatment helps train the nerve as it wakes up — preventing miscommunication between muscle groups.
But even if synkinesis has already developed, specialized care can still improve it dramatically.

At the Facial Paralysis Institute, Dr. Babak Azizzadeh uses targeted therapy, Botox, neuromuscular retraining, and surgical options to bring balance, control, and comfort back to your facial movement.

Synkinesis isn’t something you have to “just live with.”
The right treatment can change everything.

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

11/24/2025

Sometimes the most remarkable recoveries happen naturally. While we often share incredible before-and-after transformations from facial reanimation surgery, some of the most inspiring outcomes come from simply allowing the body to heal. We’re honored to share the journey of one of our patients who developed facial paralysis likely secondary to lymphoma. Through courage, perseverance, and successful cancer treatment, he has not only survived—but thrived—regaining his smile, health, and quality of life.Thank you for allowing us to be part of your story and for inspiring hope in others facing similar challenges.

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

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11/20/2025

Most people think facial paralysis only affects your smile — but the truth is, it impacts nearly every part of your day.

Simple moments become daily challenges:
➡️ Eating and drinking without leakage
➡️ Blinking comfortably or protecting the eye
➡️ Speaking clearly and expressing emotions
➡️ Feeling confident during conversations
➡️ Managing tightness, weakness, or synkinesis

These are not small inconveniences — they affect how you connect with others, how you see yourself, and how comfortably you move through the world.

At the Facial Paralysis Institute, Dr. Babak Azizzadeh helps patients restore natural movement, balance, and expression through specialized treatments tailored to each individual.

Because life feels different when your face moves the way you want it to.

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

11/17/2025

2-Year Follow-Up

In 2023, this 68-year-old patient came to the Facial Paralysis Institute struggling with facial paralysis and synkinesis.

She faced challenges like:
➡️ Facial tightness that made expressions difficult
➡️ Involuntary movements when smiling or talking
➡️ Difficulty achieving natural facial expressions

To restore both function and harmony, she underwent expert facial reanimation surgery, combined with procedures to improve symmetry and rejuvenate her appearance.

Now, 2 years later, she continues to enjoy lasting results: a more balanced face, natural expressions, and refined facial movement that allow her to engage fully in everyday life.

Her journey reminds us that recovery is more than physical — it’s about smiling naturally, expressing emotions freely, and living comfortably.

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

11/07/2025

When it comes to facial paralysis recovery, not all treatments are created equal.

While holistic approaches like acupuncture, massage, and supplements may provide comfort, they can’t restore lost nerve function or muscle movement.

Surgical procedures, on the other hand, are designed to reconnect, reanimate, and restore — addressing the root cause, not just the symptoms.

At the Facial Paralysis Institute, Dr. Babak Azizzadeh combines advanced microsurgical techniques with targeted therapies to achieve real, lasting results.

Because facial reanimation is more than healing — it’s rebuilding movement, symmetry, and confidence.

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

10/31/2025

There are still so many misconceptions about Bell’s palsy. Let’s set the record straight with three of the most common myths.

Myth #1: A stroke causes Bell’s palsy
— False. Bell’s palsy affects the facial nerve, not the brain.

Myth #2: Everyone fully recovers
— Not always. While many improve, some develop long-term weakness or synkinesis that requires specialized care.

Myth #3: You don’t need treatment
— Early intervention and expert management can significantly improve outcomes.

At the Facial Paralysis Institute, we’re committed to educating patients and providing the most advanced, individualized care.

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

10/24/2025

✨ 6 Months Post-Op Transformation ✨

This beautiful 43-year-old patient’s journey is one of resilience and hope. She developed Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a rare complication of the varicella-zoster virus (shingles) that can lead to facial paralysis. Over time, she experienced facial synkinesis — when the facial nerve heals abnormally, causing unwanted muscle contractions, asymmetry, and difficulty with natural expressions.

Living with synkinesis isn’t just about appearance — it can deeply affect one’s confidence, comfort, and emotional well-being. Smiling may feel forced, the eye may involuntarily close when speaking or eating, and facial tension can cause daily discomfort.

Six months ago, she underwent facial reanimation surgery to help restore balance, improve her facial symmetry, and give her the freedom to express herself more naturally. Today, she is thriving — not only with physical improvements but also with a renewed sense of confidence and self-connection.

Her story is a reminder that healing after facial paralysis is not just physical. It’s about reclaiming identity, expression, and the joy of connecting with others through a smile. 💙

We are honored to walk alongside her in this journey. Every patient’s path is unique, and every milestone matters.

➡️ Swipe to see her before and after journey.

10/22/2025

When it comes to facial paralysis, too many doctors have been speaking different languages — leaving patients lost in translation. 💙

Neurologists, plastic surgeons, ENTs, and therapists often use different terms and treatment philosophies. The result? Confusion, inconsistency, and patients unsure of what comes next.

At the Facial Paralysis Institute, we’re changing that. ✨
We believe in:
🔹 Unified communication between medical experts
🔹 Collaborative, multidisciplinary care
🔹 Education that empowers every patient to make confident choices

Because when specialists speak the same language, patients feel understood — and outcomes transform.

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

10/14/2025

Many patients with facial paralysis and synkinesis ask: is Botox safe? 💙

The answer is yes — when administered by experienced specialists like Dr. Babak Azizzadeh. Botox is a powerful tool in facial rehabilitation that can:
🔹 Reduce involuntary movements caused by synkinesis
🔹 Improve facial symmetry and balance
🔹 Enhance natural expression and emotional confidence
🔹 Provide relief from muscle tension or discomfort

✨ Safety and precision are critical. Proper dosing, careful placement, and individualized treatment plans ensure that Botox supports recovery rather than causing complications.

At FPI, our goal is to help patients move, express, and smile naturally — restoring both function and confidence. Every treatment is tailored to your unique facial anatomy and needs.

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

Address

9401 Wilshire Boulevard, Ste 650
Beverly Hills, CA
90212

Telephone

+13106572203

Website

http://www.facialparalysisinstitute.com/

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