Post-Treatment > Facial Issues

Max Recovery

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SMC:
Hi Everyone,

I had my surgery to remove the tumor in Aug 2005.  The tumor was quite big around 3cm or more.  The facial nerve was not cut and did not need a graft.  I thought I was lucky and that would mean that my face will come back to normal.  But I am now almost a year and half past and still no movement in my face.  The shape has improved quite a bit since the sugerory btu still not normal and NO movement.   
I went to my Dr for checkup about 6 months after the operation and he said I am doing well and will wait till a year passes then I can do some Physical Therapy.  I could not go back to my same Dr again for the next checkup as I live far away now and he refered me to another one.  The second Dr told me that since I did not recover after a year this is the max recovery I will get.  My options now are other surgeries and none of the options he told me I will even think of doing. i will prefer to live like this.  He sent me to do some Physical therapy stuff which I see have no benefit some useless exercises like smiling, frowning, lifting eyebrows.  Things we all do in our normal life anyway.  The Dr told me that electricel simulation is not for my case and it will not help also.   I was wondering if all this information that I am getting is true or not.  Did the Dr tell any of you that the max recovery is in a year after that hope is very small???  Also are these the physical exercises that are done or is there something else that I am missing here.
Any help or comments I appreciate.. I dont know who to believe anymore.  I have now given up any hope of recovery.  Which I thought would be real fast and quick since the nerve was not tacted in the operation.
thanks

amymeri:
SMC

I have heard of continuing recovery for years but I think your chances of complete recovery are more remote.  I also had an intact, functioning facial nerve (I could move my face for a couple days after surgery) but it failed completely and recovery has been slow.  I am 10 months out.  However, I am doing PT/Neuromuscular Retraining and have regained noticable movement in just 6 weeks.  The first thing you notice is an improvement in tone (which you seem to have) but then you have to retrain the muscles to work. 

Check out bellspalsy.ws

It is a site for Bells Palsy induced facial paralysis but the information on Facial Retraining, Treatment, residuals, synkinesis are all relevant.

Also, there are many PTs and doctors listed on the site and they can help.  I see Dr. Tessa Hadlock in Boston and she is amazing.

Don't give up!! 

IAHeel:
Contact Jacqueline Diels at the U of Wisconsin-Madison. She works on facial issues and has published articles in the ANA newsletter. Also, you could have a nerve graft and people have been helped by that. There are options for you. Good luck!

Fred

tony:
Check out an internet reference to diane farrahger
or "loss of face"
Basically the key issue here is : is the nerve
on the quiet side still active ? - this can be checked
there is a medical machine that can detect nerve signals
in the quiet area
If it is still trying to fire then exercise can be of assistance
There is no harm in getting two or three opinions on this one
- and travel to the specialists it will be money well-spent
Good luck
and
Best regards
Tony

Joef:
I had surgery Aug 2005 too !!
  and I have a "little" movement .. but its not enough ! ... I've heard one should wait 2 years! but I think the longer it takes .. the less chance complete movement comes back ..  :( .. of anyone here.. whats the LONGEST they have gone without movement .. and then came back? ..

  I have a appointment with my Dr. next month .. I have a feeling he is going to recommend facial surgery or some sort...

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