There is a huge difference between facial weakness and paralysis. Facial weakness is very likely after surgical removal of ANs, but it can be very mild and resolves quickly. My neurosurgeon told me that there was a high likelihood of mild weakness, and only 5% chance of more severe facial paralysis. Like Clarice, I ended up having very mild weakness, noticeable only to the doctors, which resolved within 2 to 3 weeks. The only residual issue that I still have is the dry eye.
Michelle, look into the House-Brackmann scale: it goes from 1-6, with 1 being the mild weakness that I described, and 6 being the most severe paralysis. There is a huge difference between the two.
Another point I wanted to make is that my impression from this board is that House surgeons rarely recommend to W&W. They are confident in what they do, and they do it well, so their recommendation is almost always surgery.
Marianna