Author Topic: facial nerve recovery time  (Read 41075 times)

Asiaasia

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Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #15 on: April 26, 2007, 07:54:04 pm »
 ::) I am very thankful to have found this site. I had surgery in Jan of this year due to a mucoepidermoid carcinoma in my left parotid gland. At first the doctors said my facial nerve would not have to be sacrificed but after hours and hours of surgery the tumor was a lot larger than what they thought and the upper branch was taken, the lower branch stretched. I have a closed mouth smile 4 months postop, I can close my eye only 85%, but there is some drooping and still no improvement of the upper lip. I have been very depressed. People look at me differently, I am getting ready to graduate nursing school and I am so afraid to go on interviews because of what people will think. Has anyone tried a facial nerve graft and if so has it worked any. I am blessed to have read all your comments. It makes me feel better knowing their or others out their with the same worries.

nancyann

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Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #16 on: April 27, 2007, 04:35:20 am »
Hi Asiaasia:  Yes, there are 3 people on this post tht I know of that had the nerve graft.  It takes awhile before you see results, about a year, & 2 ARE seeing results (Chris & Denise).  Taylor had hers done more recently so she has to wait, but of course movement is expected after a time.   I am also an RN, however, I've been off the floos for 10 years (worked the floors for 17 as a nurse, 7 prior to that as a nurse's aid while in H.S. & college).  I'm amazed that you got thru nursing school after surgery!!  You should not be denied a job because of how you look, that is discrimination & there are laws in place to prevent this.  As long as you are qualified & can do the job, that's what counts.  As a matter of fact, you would be an asset because of the compassion I'm sure you have after what you've been thru. (I had an awful experience post op with the RNs - it was a shock to me the way most went about their job, anyway, I'm getting off track).   I also have facial paralysis (no movement at all).  You WILL get over the sadness, not care so much about people looking at you, I'm 10 months post op, I know how you feel at 4 months.   I've come to realize our bodies are just an outer covering to what's important, our spirits - granted our bodies can be a nuisance when they break down, we need to take care of our bodies as best we can, but it's what's inside that counts.  I feel like, I have a beautiful smile on the inside, you just can't see it on the outside.
There are many areas of nursing to work in - look at all your options as you are about to graduate.    I wish you a fulfilling career & much happiness my friend,    Nancy
ps.  I have routine facial EMGs which is showing some nerve regeneration.  I will do the nerve graft when my surgeon feels the nerve isn't regenerating as hoped.
2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis

lifeisgood

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Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #17 on: April 29, 2007, 10:09:32 pm »
Hi All,
I am over 3 years post surgery.  I can assure you that your face will continue to improve.
If you are in Wisconsin, I would strongly suggest that you see Jackie Diels.  She is a facial retrainer at University of Wisc Madison.  I saw her at 18 months post surgery too.  If you are interested in hearing more about her as well as hearing about my recovery, in the ANA notes March 2005 publication, she wrote the cover article on facial recovery and I just so happened to be the inside voyage contributor. Call the ANA and they will send you it.  (It may have been 2006)
I still don't have full wrinkles across my forehead but I do see that my eyebrow is attempting to lift on the affected side.  I do get botox to lessen the difference between the 2 sides.
If your face is tight on the affected side, massage is wonderful too.
Jackie will show you a bunch of stretches to do for your face to help.
Take care and hang in there.
Mary Paschen Limanowski
AKA life is good
3.4cm AN surgically removed 3/04
by Dr. Wiet and Kazan at Hinsdale Hospital in Illinois.
Translab approach

nancyann

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Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #18 on: April 30, 2007, 04:20:30 am »
Mary:  Thankyou so much for the words of encouragement !!!!!   You made my morning !!!!! yes, LIFE IS GOOD !!!!!
2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis

stewie

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Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #19 on: April 30, 2007, 08:21:18 am »
lifeisgood,

How encouraging! After 3 years you're still seeing improvement. Thats wonderful!
I am from Wisconsin and have recently come across the name of Jackie Diels. Can you tell me what seperates her from other facial retraining/facial nerve specialists? Her name pops up here and there. I'm curious because I do see a Dr. in regards to this. . . . but if Jackie Diels is better qualified, I'm all about going to Madison. Again, what is it about her that makes her so highly recommended?

Thank you again for your words of comfort!

Kathy
3 cm tumor
Left side
December 2005
Wisconsin

TastyKakeman

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  • 2.0cm removed John Hopkins Dr Henry Brem .
Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #20 on: April 30, 2007, 05:14:21 pm »
Hi, I am only 7 months out and I have some facial moment. My left side of my face had the droop at the corner of my mouth. I now have a 3/4 smile and that seems to be getting better very day. I have been going to a gym and working out on the cardiac machines( treadmill, etc..). I think it's important to get the blood flowing and I might be helping the healing in the nerves. Since I have all the time in the world, I do this everyday Mon - Fri, I really look forward to doing the exercises. Everyday I walk 3 miles and then I work on the equipment.( Abs, arms, legs etc...) I get a little wobblely :o and I have to sit for a while but after I feel great.  Bob

                                                                                                          TastyKakeman
Bob

Cheryl R

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Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #21 on: April 30, 2007, 06:09:02 pm »
Hi Kathy.        I was under the impression that that aren't too many true facial therapists in the country.   Some physical or occupational therapists may do some of it.    I am in Iowa and made one trip to see Jacki in 2002 after my first AN surgery for some tightness and synkinesis.        She has been at the last 2 AN symposiums and will be at this one coming up.               I have frequently mentioned the www.bellspalsy.ws website and Jacki has written on facial retraining on that website also.                I had facial neuroma surgery a little over a year ago with a nerve graft done at the same time with some return of my face.          Have got used to to all enough that doubt I will do any more facial therapy visits.
One of my daughters went to grad school in Madison and hated it when she left as really liked the town.                                                     Cheryl R.
Right mid fossa 11-01-01
  left tumor found 5-03,so have NF2
  trans lab for right facial nerve tumor
  with nerve graft 3-23-06
   CSF leak revision surgery 4-07-06
   left mid fossa 4-17-08
   near deaf on left before surgery
   with hearing much improved .
    Univ of Iowa for all care

nancyann

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Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #22 on: April 30, 2007, 06:34:37 pm »
Wonderful news Bob, so happy for you - it must feel great to get that smile back (slowly but surely).   I don't remember, was your facial nerve cut then reattached, or was it just stretched ?  Good for you also for getting back into exercise mode.   I've been having a little trouble in that area.    I try to walk 2 miles, last time I did was Sunday, & felt like I was going to pass out toward the end(it was a hot morning in South Florida! got a headache too, think I was dehydrated, so will carry the water with me from now on.)   I just signed up for pilates reformer classes, I start Thursday - always liked it, haven't done it for about 3 years,  so I'm treating myself !!!!!!   Always good thoughts,  Nancy   
2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis

Joef

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Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #23 on: May 08, 2007, 11:48:52 am »

I noticed today --- when I was drinking from my bottle of water today, it was a little better .. (less dripping) ... I looked in the mirror ... and sure enough the top lip was moving a little better !! ... and I'm about 20 months out !! yea!!!
4 cm AN/w BAHA Surgery @House Ear Clinic 08/09/05
Dr. Brackmann, Dr. Hitselberger, Dr. Stefan and Dr. Joni Doherty
1.7 Gram Gold Eye weight surgery on 6/8/07 Milford,CT Hospital

1wareagle

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Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #24 on: May 08, 2007, 12:55:38 pm »
Joe it's so good to hear you are seeing movements in your lip. I can't wait to post my first movements!

Ellis
Ellis- Age 50- Mississippi
3.2 cm AN Translab w/ BAHA Surgery
@ House Ear Clinic - LA - 01/04/07    Dr. Brackmann, Dr. Hilselberger, Dr. Stefan
Platinum weight in right eye-Dr. Roberts
Right side facial paralysis (slowly getting movements)

redgrl

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Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #25 on: May 08, 2007, 01:24:46 pm »
That's great Joe! I have noticed the same thing with myself. I am 8 months out but i was hoping by my 1 year that something spectacular was gonna happen. I am doubting it very much now. I have been hearing that people are seeing there best recovery at about 18 months. 18 months seems like forever but I can wait it out.  8)
4 cm left side AN. Translab Sept 20th 06 at virginia mason w/Dr. Backous & Dr. Nussbaum. Second surgery Oct 15th 06 to repair CFS leak.

nancyann

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Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #26 on: May 08, 2007, 03:28:49 pm »
Joe:  I'm SOOOOO  HAPPY FOR YOU !!!!    This HAS been a long time coming.   Wishing you continued movement !!!!!!
Always good thoughts my friend,  Nancy
2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis

Zanybrainy

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  • Surgery 01/24/05 4.0cm, Colorado Springs, CO Retro
Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #27 on: May 11, 2007, 07:26:28 am »
I am almost 2 and a half years post op.  I had a 4 cm acoustic neuroma. My nerve was not cut but stretched.  I definitely had improvement after 18 months.  In March I went to see Jackie Diels at University Wisconsin at Madison. My insurance gave me an approval to go out of network because they really didn't have anyone in network who new how to treat me. It was a great learning experience.  She showed me that I had synkinesis(abnormal movement).  Most of it is caused by my muscles being too tight in my neck.  She taught me how about the muscles in my face and how to stretch it so it have more natural movement. I got some very small movement exercises to do and I already can see improvement.  It is a long process, but definitely not without hope.  Anybody with vestibular damage is use to baby steps!  Her email is hj.diels@hosp.wisc.edu.  Hang in there and don't let anyone tell you there's no hope. Cath
Retrosigmoid, January 24, 2005
4 cm "stuck" to brainstem
Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs

TP

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Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #28 on: May 11, 2007, 02:54:38 pm »
Zanybrainy- that is great news! Thanks for sharing. My nerves were stretched as well and I saw a little improvement 6 months after my surgery but not much since then. I have good and bad days with pain in my face. Its hard for my personality type (A) to have any patience, the last year I've learned a lot but I guess I still want immediate results! Hope is good, thanks for the info.
4+cmm left retromastoid of cerebellopontine angle tumor removed 6/5/06; Dr. Eric Gabriel, St. Vincents, Jacksonville, FL
Left ear hearing loss, left eye gold weight, facial paralysis; 48 year old female. Dr. Khuddas - my hero - corrected my double vision

Pembo

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Re: facial nerve recovery time
« Reply #29 on: May 15, 2007, 07:56:57 am »
I am 3 yrs post op and saw Todd Henkelmann in Pittsburgh. I enjoyed the facial therapy and highly recommend it. I saw quite an improvement in only 5 months.  He has done a lot of research on facial paralysis and recovery and they have seen improvement after many years. He saw a patient who had fp for over 5 years, he was able to help her regain some movement.

He told me the best I could hope for was being at 80-90%. That was good news to me.

Don't give up hope.
Surgery June 3, 2004, University Hospitals Cleveland, BAHA received in 2005, Facial Therapy at UPMC 2006