ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Facial Issues => Topic started by: tony on November 26, 2007, 01:50:13 pm
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Yes its true - and just a little one (for a change ?)
Basically they are going to connect the lower jaw muscle
to my lip to give simple movement on the quiet side
No nerves are involved - its a simple re-wiring job
- even a lineman could do it... (even from Witchta ?)
Best Regards
Tony
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Tony,
Do you hold the record?? My thoughts and prayers are with you. Some of the linemen I've seen around here (Texas) I would be a little afraid to let them mess with my mouth even if Glenn Campbell was singing. You take care and I'll get my pirate socks washed for this one.
Best thoughts and wishes,
Brenda
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Hey Tony: When is your surgery date? Are you having the temporalis muscle transfer ? You know I just got back home from having the temporalis tendon transfer - when I bite down I will have a closed mouth smile (I'm still swollen, & it hurts to bite down, but the doc had me do it & it works !! - my right cheek moves when I bite down).
This new surgery also gives more symmetry to the face. Gotta tell you, it was no walk in the park, but was well worth it. Let us know the date of your surgery - I remember you said it was going to be in December.
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Tony.....
I hope this will do it for you.You are definitely in our thoughts and prayers.
Take care,
Lynn
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Thanks to all and
Note to Nancyann
Yes I think its the same one(14-01-08)
Basically when you chew down a sort of smile develops
(it adds movement to an otherwise no-moving side)
There is no nerve involvement
just muscles and connections - so, simplish ?
I am very pleased to hear it has changed the symetry
a bit for you - tell me more, I need it too
I was warned that chewing might not be so much
fun for a bit - and faces tend to swell and bruise a bit too
- so soup is your friend these days ?
I would be interested to understand the recovery time etc
I had the option of upper jaw link or a lower jaw link
I thought the lower meant less distruption ?
Best regards
Tony
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Hi Tony: Yes, with the temporalis tendon (rather than muscle) transfer, when I bite down the right side of my mouth will move slightly upward for a closed mouth smile. There was an incredible amount of swelling (I also had the bilateral facelift & browlift to help with symmetry) immediately post op - my mom said she could only make out the tip of my nose because I was sooo swollen. It remained very swollen for a few days, now little by little the swelling is going down (but still swollen 1 1/2 weeks later).
It hurts really bad to try a bite down still, geuss it will take quite a bit of time. You're right, no nerve involvement with these procedures. I have alot of bruising still purple & yellow. My lips burn on the right side - I didn't even recognize that I had lips on the right side due to the purple color & stitches, but it looks better now, still need to recover. He attached both upper & lower side of the mouth to the tendon(I think).
So, you have another month & a half till surgery. I know the tendon transfer is relatively new & there weren't any doctors in my insurance network who perform it yet, so I have to pay 30% out of network, but I plan on talking with Cigna about this(among other things...).
All the best Tony, Nancy
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Hey Tony: I noticed it's a little over a week until your surgery; how are you holding up buddy?
Thinking good thoughts for you, Nancy
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Yes - thanks - and you are right
- sadley Ive had to discontinue the St Johns Wort pre-surgery
- not a helpful substance when surgery is nearby....
(the term "old faithful" comes to mind ?)
Fortunately I have about 50 bottles of vino
in special reserve - for just such occasions
D-Day is a week, monday
Best Regards
Tony
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Good thoughts and prayers are with you Tony, as the count down begins. The "vino" sounds like just the ticket for such occassions!
I have my pirate sox ready and waiting.
Brenda
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Tony,
Best of luck with your surgery! Hope everything will work out the way it should!
What does St. John's wort do for you? Did you try anything else for the same condition?
Eve
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err.. St Johns Wort is basically a "non-perscription" (ie non-doctor)
natural/herbal, anti-depressant, it also has a calming effect
(clue:most useful if you have a temper shorter than Tyson`s)
A blind survey in Germany found it as good as any
of the known/offical medications - Prozac etc
It has two known side effects
a) it thins blood and reduces the clotting effect after wounds
- so a no-no pre-surgery
This can be lifethreatening, as can a dozen other herbal solutions
if taken at the wrong time....
b) can stop other medication from working
(inc the pill - so I am told)
So - yes it works
but as ever- handle with care
Best Regards
Tony
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Tony,
Does the brand matter? I know we have different ones in the Sates but it is good to know because it pays to try a few then? Do you know if it interferes with omega-3 and then thins the blood too much? Sounds like you know about it a lot!
Eve
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I think all I would say re "alternative" remedies is its
maybe best not to have 2 at the same time that have similar effects ?
Re the OP Yes it will go quiet here from Sun eve.
Shock of the day...
I call to check and confirm mondays little outing :
07:30 AM arrive...
08:00 AM meet surgeon...
08:30 Wheeled to pre-op.....
- all my life in a que and now
FOR THIS I AM IN POLE POSITION ! I get the OSCAR !
Can I just say to whom-so-ever I ever ever offended
I dont know what I ever, ever, did...
But I am trully.....deeply....completey.....SORRY
rant over...
Bye for now
Tony
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Getting a bit jittery about the surgery Tony? - you're going to love the results.
Everyday I feel better & better, especially when I look in the mirror & see the droop is gone !
Those op times look awfully familiar, only I had to be there by 7am.....
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Firstly I am glad you have such improvement so soon
- that really is a very good sign
Secondly, scared me ?
.....only on a day with a "Y" in it.....
Best Regards
Tony
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Tony I want to wish you well and let us know how you are doing! I have a bit of info regarding the St Johns it can also increase the affect anesthesia has on the body along with melatonin. So be sure to tell your Drs about any over the counter supplements and it is my understanding they have you discontinue those treatments about 3 weeks before any surgery. The Dr I work for now is an anesthesiologist and says that some Drs are unaware of these things. So here is my 2 cents. Kiss to your forehead Tony. :-* 16
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Okay Tony: Putting out POSITIVE THOUGHTS TO THE UNIVERSE & SAYING EXTRA PRAYERS FOR YOU.
Post back after your surgery when you can.... you'll be recuperating for awhile.
Again, you're going to love the results! (did you see my before/after pictures under Post Temporalis Tendon Transfer? only 7 weeks post op!)
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Yes I was quite amazed - I have no problem with nerve transfer per se
and I am sure its right for some to try
But I felt (for me) 12-18mths was just too long and too uncertain
the transfer option seems almost live from the OP wake-up
and given a natural settling effect post surgery
- promises to get better and better
Best Regards
Tony
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Hey Tony,
I just ran across your thread. I hope your surgery went well. Please let us know how you are doing. You seem so nice and have been so helpful to so many people. You said this is supposed to be a rather straightforward operation, so to speak. I hope that the swelling and pain gets better every day, and that you'll be seeing some improvement soon!! My prayers are with you. After this surgery, what are you doing to pass the time while healing? Are you sleeping a lot? Blessings to you.
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OK guys - safely home !
I look a bit like an early Mike Tyson victim
- but I am told its a temporary condition....
I am on soft food now for a week or so
- and steak sandwiches maybe a month away
still youve got to laugh havent you .....
(well....er... I cant ....not till month end anyway..)
Best Regards
Tony
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Hi, Tony,
There is nothing like home! Congratlations on getting it over with. Hope you heal fast and I can see your sense of humor is completely intact.
Eve
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Welcome home! Can you really not laugh for a month? That is always when you have an episode of prolonged laughter that you can not stop. You will have to be put in solitary for a month and stay away from the forum. Keep us posted on your recovery. Kisses to your forehead. :-* 16
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So glad that the pirate sox work! As well as great doctors! Glad everything went well, Tony. Months end, it's steak sandwiches? Right now are the steaks on the bruising?
Happy thoughts,
Brenda
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Tony: So glad all went well!!!! You're doing better than me - I could only take fluids/liquid meds out of a catheter the first week!!
Glad to hear you've graduated to soft food, that's great. You're probably hurtin' a bit & bruised, but that will fade away like a bad memory....
I had to use a 'baby' toothbrush, soft bristles, for about 2 weeks. (the 1st week I couldn't even brush the right side).
Well, post when you can.... continued healing my friend, Nancy
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Hi there Tony: Just wondering how you're progressing - it's been a month & 3 days since your surgery.
Have you had the steak sandwich yet? I had one yesterday - I use to love a steak (sandwich) without any
of that 'steak sauce' stuff - now I use Worcesteshire sauce. Gonna try A1 steak sauce next time!
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Almost back to normal food - thanks
Shaving is still a full thirty mins - to avoid "conplications"
I may yet go for a small symetry lift later in the year (...zxcxvzv ????)
I definately have some movement
- and can now use a drinking straw
(I didnt mind not being able to etc - but its nice to know you can)
Best Regards
Tony