12/7 surgery

[Kennystiebs]

Is it weird to have both the 12/7 and t3 done at the same time? If that's what my doc did though I don't know.

[Kaybo]

I thought it sounded a lot like the T3 too but did they take tendon from your leg to put in your lips to connect??

K 

[Kennystiebs]

Nope no incisions on my legs

[Kaybo]

I bet it is some variation of - especially if doc said more temporary...

K 

[nancyann]

Hey Kay:  Dr. Byrne never took a tendon out of my leg for the T3 - he did that with you? He pulled the temporalis tendon on me...

[Kaybo]

NO WAY!!! Yes! In fact, the was the worse (regular) part of my recovery...my leg!! He put it in my lip to lengthen & then connect it...

K 

[Kennystiebs]

So I'm guessing there is no one set way to due any of these surgeries huh lol

[alabamajane]

Yeah Kenny,, that is what you will find out on this forum, , everyone's journey is different,, no SOP for these things,, weird huh..
K and Nancyann,, I am not familiar with the T3,, I had the 7/12,, but is that done when there is not a "long" enough piece of the facial nerve left to connect to the tongue nerve?? Mine has healed well so far,, 7 mos.. but nothing has been said about a T3 needed??? Just wondering.. he said I had enough facial nerve left to connect to tongue nerve end to end.. which was a good thing.......Jane

[Kaybo]

Jane-
I actually had the 7/12 a year after my AN surgery and then found out about the T3 (on here from Nancy) about 12 years later! My 7/12 didn't really give me much movement at all. The T3 does NOT involve the nerves so can be done at any time. It was relatively new when we had it done.

K 

[alabamajane]

Thanks,, so the T3 is done to give more movement of facial muscles?? Sounds like you have to have a muscle from somewhere else inplanted into face?? Then you get more movement of face like eyebrow and cheek?? I was not "promised" total movement of facial muscles with 7/12 so not expecting that ,, just "some" movement and I have gotten that so far ,, as I say it has only been 7 mo and Dr said it would be more like 12-18 mo to see what "total" movement would be... but anything is helpful!! Thanks for info... Jane

[Kaybo]

Actually, it was a tendon from my leg - T3 is short for Temporalis Tendon Transfer. And even though it gives you some movement, probably NOT up to eye...

K 

[nancyann]

My facial nerve was cut - they did an end to end attachment with what was left of my facial nerve. I was too scared to have the 7/12, or any other surgery on what was left of my nerves immediately post op.  The T3 got rid of the 'droop' at the lower 1/2 of my face, & gives me a 'mona lisa' smile when I bite down on the paralyzed side. It does not give me any other movement. I have had many different surgeries on my eye - that is the one area I still have daily issues with...

[Kennystiebs]

Quick question, I'm recovering well, swelling has gone down a lot, no more swallowing problems, no tongue problems, I'm eating solid food now, and the wounds are pretty much all healed up. However, I find it difficult to open my mouth completely. I have to take smaller bites of food because my mouth doesn't seem to open up enough to get bigger food in. I'm obviously not completely healed and am only two weeks removed from surgery. I was just wondering if this would be permanent or is it something that will eventually get better. It's not horrible just annoying at the moment. I think it has to do with the t3 more so than the 12/7. But if anyone has experienced this, info would be appreciated

[alabamajane]

So glad to hear you are healing so quickly and well.. I did not have the T3, so can't answer to that healing process,, however, did have the 7/12 and I was unable to open mouth completely for several weeks,, I am about 7 mo out now. I am able to open mouth now but don't chew on the AN affected side yet.. I think that is more due to the feeling that I will not swallow correctly due to tongue not working as it once did. I still prefer not to eat sandwiches,, but am more able to now than at first. At first I could not open mouth wide enough to get the sandwich in unless I cut it into about 1/4s ... I believe yours will improve to where you can open mouth,, but then again,, I did not have that T3 so, it may be inhibiting that movement ,, Iam not really sure what it does or effects... good luck ,, sounds like you are making remarkable improvements this soon!! Good for you! Jane

[Kaybo]

I can open my mouth REALLY wide now but can not tell you how long it took....I do think that I had a more limited range of motion after I had the T3 than 12/7...

K