Facial Movement Restored

Facial Paralysis Surgery That Rebuilds Confidence

Expert nerve and muscle reconstruction to help patients smile, speak, and blink
again—with natural results that last.

Book My Evaluation

Facial Paralysis Surgery — Feel Again, Live Again. Check Eligibility:

Do Any of These Ring True?

*If you checked 2 or more boxes,
request a consultation now—our team
will walk you through your options.

Still Not Sure? Book Your Facial Paralysis Evaluation:

Takes < 60 seconds, HIPAA-Secure.

25+ Years

Experience in Advanced Nerve Reconstruction

98%

Patient Satisfaction
Score

Trust the Experts Behind the Results
Hear directly from our facial reanimation specialists and the patients they’ve helped. Learn what’s possible—and what to expect—from the experts leading this field.

Facial Paralysis: Types, Treatments & Why Early Diagnosis Matters | Dr. Dayan & Dr. Lakhiani

Restoring Smiles- Expert Team Approach to Facial Nerve Reconstruction with Dr. Dayan & Dr. Lakhiani

Facial Nerve Reconstruction Recovery: A Guide with Dr. Dayan & Dr. Lakhiani

Facial Paralysis Surgery: Restoring Your Smile and Expression Naturally | Dr. Joseph DayanJohn Doe

What is Facial Reanimation Surgery?

Facial reanimation surgery is a bespoke process that must be customized to the individual patient. Based on your involvement, it might involve treatment of your brows, eyes, or smile. To do so, a variety of techniques may be used, including: nerve transfers, nerve grafting, aesthetic procedures, or other procedures that your doctor will discuss with you. Below are a few examples of some of the techniques that we use at The Institute:

Nerve Transfers

5-7 transfer (masseter to facial nerve)
Cross-facial nerve grafting
Mini-hypoglossal nerve transfer

Matching Procedures

Facelift
Brow lift
Botox
Blepheroplasty

Eyelid Procedures

Canthoplasty
Canthopexy
Lateral tarsal strip
Gold or platinum weight insertion (lagopthalmos)

Free Functional Gracilis Transfer

Taking a portion of the gracilis muscle from the inner thigh and transplanting it to the affected area of the face. This transplant can be used to help a person smile.

Smile Again. Speak Freely. Be Seen.

Living with facial paralysis affects more than your face—it alters how you're perceived, how you connect, and how you move through the world. But with the right team and timing, smile reanimation is possible—even years after onset.

Blink and close your eye naturally

Smile and speak with greater control

Improve eating and drinking without facial leakage

Reduce facial tightness or discomfort

Nerve Healing is Time-Sensitive

Surgical reanimation ideally occurs within 6–12 months of nerve injury, but success is possible even years later, depending on muscle viability. Whether your paralysis is recent or long-standing, early evaluation can determine which surgical window you're still eligible for.

Delays can lead to muscle atrophy or irreversible loss of movement—early evaluation gives you more options.

Call: 833-650-6728

Check Candidacy

Why Patients Around the World Trust The Institute

Unmatched Nerve Surgery Expertise
Facial paralysis is one of our distinct areas of expertise—not a secondary focus.

Collaborative, Personalized Care
Multidisciplinary teams build tailored plans that align surgical precision with whole-patient support.

Recognized by Top Medical Authorities
Home to Castle Connolly Top Doctors, NJ Top Docs, and nationally published specialists.

World-Class Hospitals, Local Compassion
Procedures performed at nationally ranked facilities.

Support for Traveling Patients
We help coordinate travel, lodging, and follow-up care for a seamless patient experience.

Your Path to Recovery

Expert Evaluation

We assess your facial movement, history, and timing to determine the right treatment plan—no referral needed.

Diagnostic Testing

Advanced imaging and nerve studies help confirm if surgery is viable and guide your personalized procedure.

Reconstructive Surgery

Surgery is performed using nerve transfers, grafts, or muscle transplants.

Rehabilitation & Follow-Up

We work closely with speech-language pathologists, ENT specialists, and facial retraining experts to support holistic recovery.

Meet The Experts in Facial Reanimation

When facial paralysis impacts your ability to smile, speak, or blink, you need a team with advanced microsurgical training and nerve repair expertise. Our facial nerve surgeons lead one of the nation’s few comprehensive facial reanimation programs.

Select a Doctor

Joseph Dayan, MD, MBA, FACS
Chris Lakhiani, MD, FACS

Joseph Dayan, MD, MBA, FACS

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Board Certified in Plastic Surgery

Dr. Dayan is fellowship-trained in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. He specializes in cross-facial nerve grafts and dynamic muscle transfers, helping patients regain natural smiles and facial expressions after paralysis.

Chris Lakhiani, MD, FACS

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Board Certified in Plastic Surgery

Dr. Lakhiani is a fellowship-trained peripheral nerve surgeon who specializes in facial reanimation and nerve disorders that can cause pain or paralysis.

Traveling from Abroad?

Our dedicated team helps international patients coordinate travel, lodging, and medical care—ensuring a smooth, stress-free experience from consultation to recovery.

Call: 833-650-6728

Start Your Journey

Insurance & Financing

While insurance participation can vary by provider, physician, and procedure, The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction accepts many major insurance plans—including Horizon BCBS, Cigna, Horizon NJ Health, and Medicare. Our team will verify your benefits and guide you through every step of the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon should I get evaluated after facial paralysis?

As early as possible—ideally within weeks to months of onset. Earlier evaluations expand surgical options.

What are common symptoms of facial nerve injury?

Inability to smile, blink, or move one side of the face. Eye dryness, drooping, or facial tightness may also occur.

Can I still have surgery if it’s been over a year?

Every patient’s case is unique. There are certainly options for patients that have had paralysis for over a year or even many years. Your doctor will discuss these with you and what is available during your consultation. Because the muscles begin to atrophy after 12-18 months, patients with a complete paralysis may have more limited options after that time has elapsed.

Will rehabilitation be part of my care?

Yes. Post-surgical therapy is essential to retrain muscles and optimize your results.

Can this help after Bell’s palsy?

Thankfully, 80% of patients with spontaneous Bell’s Palsy recover on their own. Nevertheless, that still leaves a large proportion of patients who require intervention. We still recommend that patients with Bells Palsy see us as soon as possible so we can track them through their recovery. This way, we will be able to intervene early if it is necessary.

Do you treat trauma or tumor-related cases?

Absolutely. We specialize in nerve repair and reanimation after acoustic neuroma, parotid surgery, and other causes.

What’s the first step?

A 60-second intake form and expert evaluation with a facial nerve specialist—no referral needed.