Bristol Palin, the 35-year-old daughter of former politician Sarah Palin, is actively exploring plastic surgery options to address a persistent facial paralysis condition that has plagued her for more than a year. In a candid Instagram Stories video shared on Monday, the media personality disclosed her plans to consult with a specialist surgeon in Austin, Texas, who focuses on facial paralysis treatments.
Seeking Solutions for Facial Asymmetry
During her social media update, Palin highlighted specific concerns about her right eye, which involuntarily closes when she smiles or expresses emotions. "I don’t really care about my crooked mouth, but my eye… it's so embarrassing to me," she confessed, adding that she sometimes feels like wearing an eyepatch to conceal the issue. "It looks crazy, and I just feel like I can’t even smile because it just closes."
Hopeful Outlook After Consultation
Palin expressed optimism about potential surgical interventions, stating, "Maybe there’s some options. Maybe she can help with this eye or just the overall symmetry." A few hours later, she followed up with another clip, reporting that her "appointment went well" and promising to share further updates soon with her followers.
Previous Treatments and Updates
This isn't Palin's first attempt to manage her condition. She has previously turned to acupuncture in hopes of restoring facial balance. In January, she marked "day 323" of her paralysis, acknowledging that her appearance was "not looking great" while demonstrating limited movement on one side of her face.
She explained at the time that she planned to eventually get Botox injections in her right eye to address its tendency to "get so small when I smile or when I'm expressive at all." Despite the challenges, Palin maintained perspective, noting her situation "could be worse, could be better," and humorously adding, "at least I've got cute sunglasses."
Medical Background and Emotional Impact
The Dancing With The Stars alum first revealed her facial paralysis in January 2025, describing how it developed "completely out of the blue" without any warning signs, illness, vaccinations, or recent Botox treatments. By mid-July, she estimated her face was "probably like 70% back to normal" but admitted to struggling emotionally, saying, "I can’t look at pictures of myself right now."
Medical evaluations have suggested Bell's palsy—a temporary facial muscle weakness or paralysis—as the likely diagnosis, though tests have reportedly shown "nothing" conclusive. Palin has been transparent about her journey, sharing Thanksgiving updates about her "crooked face" and recently showcasing results from a tummy tuck procedure in a separate video.
Her openness on social media has created a dialogue with followers, with one asking how she handles the emotional aspects of her condition. Palin responded that she feels she's "handling it well," despite the visible challenges that have persisted for over twelve months.
