“Teen Mom OG” alum Bristol Palin is sharing a new update on the facial paralysis she has been dealing with for more than a year, according to People.
The 35-year-old daughter of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin revealed in a video posted to Instagram Stories that she recently met with a plastic surgeon in Austin to discuss possible treatment options.
Bristol Meets With a Plastic Surgeon
“I’m going to have a consultation today with a plastic surgeon in Austin,” Palin told followers. “I’ve read that she specializes in facial paralysis type stuff so we’ll see what she says.”
While speaking candidly about her experience, the MTV star explained that the lingering effects of the condition are especially noticeable when she smiles or makes expressive facial movements.
She said her right eye has become one of the most frustrating parts of the issue.
“When I smile or when I’m expressive, it closes,” she shared. “I don’t really care about my crooked mouth, but my eye… [it’s] so embarrassing to me.”
Palin admitted the situation has sometimes made her feel self-conscious about her appearance.
“It looks crazy, and I just feel like I can’t even smile because it just closes,” she said. “I feel like I should wear an eyepatch or something.”
Despite the challenges, she remained hopeful that the consultation could lead to potential solutions.
“So we’ll see. Maybe there’s some options,” Palin added. “Maybe she can help with this eye or just the overall symmetry.”
Bristol Is Hopeful After Appointment
Later that same day, Palin returned to Instagram with a brief follow-up video to let fans know the appointment went well.
While she did not share specific details from the visit, she told followers she planned to provide another update soon.
Palin has been open with fans about her health journey since first revealing the condition in early 2025.
At the time, she described waking up with an unusual sensation in her face that quickly turned into something much more concerning.
“I woke up nine days ago with a little weird sensation in my face,” she recalled in an earlier update. “My mouth was pulling this way, and it just felt a little off.”
When she checked her reflection, she immediately noticed something wasn’t right.
“I’m like, ‘Wow. This is looking a little weird,’” she said.
Within hours, the symptoms intensified. “Within a couple hours, the entire left side of my face was numb and just paralyzed,” Palin explained. “Couldn’t really blink my eye. Definitely had no movement on [the left side] of my face. So crazy.”
Doctors later told her the symptoms were consistent with Bell’s palsy, a condition that can cause sudden facial weakness or paralysis.
Over time, Palin said some movement has returned, but the effects have not completely disappeared.
Earlier this year she revealed that even after hundreds of days, her face still hadn’t fully recovered.
In the meantime, Palin has explored several possible treatments. She previously tried acupuncture in hopes of improving balance and movement in her face.
