ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: maodonn on July 11, 2019, 08:17:33 am
-
I never knew this procedure existed. In February of last year the gold weight on my eyelid was starting to poke through the skin. I called to make an appointment at ENT clinic, I was told I needed to go to Facial Nerve Center which hadn't existed when I was last there. On a whim, I asked the Dr if there were any new procedures for facial paralysis. I was shocked to learn that there was and my previous Dr never mentioned it. In April of last year, a nerve was taken out of my leg above the heel and transplanted into the good side of my face and threaded across my upper lip. After that healed which was about 6 months, I had a second procedure done. A piece of muscle was taken out of my inner upper thigh. It was implanted in my cheek area of the paralyzed side. It was stitched in like a sling and the original transplanted nerve was attached to it along with the bite nerve. That was December of last year. Today, 7 months later I have a lot of movement in my paralyzed side. I need to bite to smile but it works and I am thrilled! I am now doing therapy to learn to relax the good side when I smile because it is so strong. I had this surgery done at Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Jessyka Lighthall was my surgeon. I have nothing but praise for her, She restored my smile. You can google the procedure. My insurance paid for everything. I have 1 little numb spot above my lip and was told it probably will always be numb if it hasn't gone away by now. I forgot to mention that I had my original surgery for AC in December of 1994.
Mary Ann
-
That is fantastic. I just scheduled myself for surgery at Stanford. I am super scared.
-
I had this done as well.
-
Thank you posting this. Great post to share with everyone who has serious concerns about the facial nerve impact of an AN.