Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
From your description of your situation, I believe you need the
second opinion. You are correct to say that if there is no weak or
paralysis of facial muscle function on the affected side then the probability of this being a true Bell's
palsy would be low to nil. But remember, in Bell's palsy the affected eyelid (for example) does not droop but rather it does not close very well or at all in severe cases. The rest of the face certainly does appear to "droop" compared to the other side except the eyelid. Damage to the peripheral seventh
nerve can occur as a result of trauma and swelling.
If you'd like to take a picture of your face and show me how you smile, pucker, puff out your cheeks, and wrinkle your forehead in a surprised look fashion with digital photographs I can tell you whether you appear to have Bell's or not.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Dariush Saghafi