ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Eye Issues => Topic started by: MCLARKE46319 on August 18, 2009, 01:34:36 pm
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Has anyone had the Palpebral Spring put in their eye that does not blink? If so what doctor did it and where is he located. Thanks for your help. My daughter Meagan is considering this and we would like to find someone close to Illinois if possible.
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I met with Dr. Levene (sp?) at the Symposium he is in the LA area. He made it sound like that he was one of the few that did it. However, I went to a session right after that with Dr. Cho (Chicago area) and he made reference to having to REMOVE them from patients...SOOOOO, I am very torn!!
K
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When I went to see Dr. Philip Custer at Washington University, we discussed the eyelid spring. He said there are only a handful of surgeons whom he would consider experienced enough to do them (and he chooses not to). He also said they work very well when they do work, but they have a more than 25% complication rate, including extrusion (in other words, poking through the eyelid after insertion.) He did not recommend the eyelid spring for me because I have thin skin on my eyelids. I did not want to travel again for surgery anyway and was comfortable with the platinum weight, so that is the route we took.
Sara
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Kay -
I don't have my ANA symposium program handy, but I'm not sure Dr. Cho is from the Chicago area. I could be wrong, but I thought he was from some other state.
Can someone out there with a program look it up for us?
Thanks,
Jan
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I guess the reason why I thought that is that he had slides of "Gina" that we met in the Hospitality room and she is from the area...I guess it was her - it was just from the eyes up but I really think it was her b/c I had noticed her beautiful big EYES...
K
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I don't have my ANA symposium program handy
I do. :)
Dr. John C. Choi is an ophthalmologist in a private practice in Warrenville, IL.
Dr. Robert E. Levine is an ophthalmic plastic surgeon at USC and House Ear Clinic in LA.
Steve
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Thanks Steve - we can always count on you!
K ;D
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Thanks, Steve. I stand corrected, Kaybo.
I'm glad to hear Dr. Choi is from Illinois; sounds like he might be a big help for Meagan.
Jan
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Thanks for the help from everyone.
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Thanks all for the comments....I was all ready to jump on a plane and then went on here....I was in the Choi workshop and he steered me into the direction of not doing. Dr. Levine can fit me in in 3 weeks so if anyone is interested.
I have the eye sewn on the side so i think i will venture down the gold weight section....as i never had it done.
Dr. Levine is a good seller but I can't risk it not working when I live so far away from the doctor.....Thanks all :)
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So Meagan, am I to understand that MClarke is one of your parents? How cool is that? 8)
Great family support ;D
I missed you at the symposium; sorry! Will have to make one of your local meetings.
Jan
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Yes my mom is MClarke....she was my helper of all AN things....i know have your word that I will see you at a meeting....so you better hold to it ma'am....have a great day.
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Aren't moms fantastic? Mine is my helper on all things - AN and otherwise; my dad too.
I'm good on my word. Please make sure I get the next invite - I may have to drag two surly 13 year-olds with me, but I'll be there!
And I'll even show my head and my BAHA to anyone who is interested!
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My plastic ocular surgeon also said he's had to remove them also. This is why I went with the weight.
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How does the weight work? Are you able to blink? Where is it placed on the eye lid?
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The weight is placed inside the upper lid(outpt. surgery) - my surgeon placed it for the most symmetry to my other eye. Those who have less paralysis than I do are able to fully close their eyelid when they blink - the weight works like gravity - when you blink your eyelid will close. Because I have total paralysis, I probably have to blink harder than others.
My surgeon told me the weight needs to be replaced every 5 years (for those of us who will have it in permanently).
If you get movement back, the weight can be removed, no problem.
Prior to the weight, my eye had a 'skeletal' look - wide open, the top eyelid was all the way up & the bottom lid fell all the way down.
Now my eyes look almost symmetrical, you don't feel the weight in the lid.
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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I really hope you get this message. I talked to you a while back via this website about my daughter and her papebral spring. She has had 14 surgeries by Dr. Robert Levine in LA and we are totally disgusted with what her eye looks like now. I think we are talking about getting the spring completely removed and maybe go with the ball. I told her about you and she wanted to know what your eye looks like with the weight. Also, what doctor did you use, I think you said it was in Miami. My daughter is only 27 and she is so sick of having people ask her what is wrong with her eye!! If you would like, please email me through my personal email address.
Thanks so much,
Mary-Clare Procailo
Dallas, TX
Mary: I removed your e-mail address because the ANA does not permit personal e-mail addresses in forum posts (to protect your online security). However, to anyone interested in contacting you, I note that you've made your e-mail address available on your forum profile page. J.S.
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Mary-Clare, I am sorry to hear that your daughter is having so many problems with her spring.
You can see a photo of my eye weight here: http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=7229.msg76670#msg76670. You can't tell I have a weight with my eye open (my avatar picture was taken about a year after the weight was implanted).
I'm not sure what you mean by going with the ball? There are solid gold and platinum weights and platinum chains - maybe that is what you meant?
Sara