« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: Op no 9 ?  (Read 9777 times)

tony

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 666
Op no 9 ?
« on: November 26, 2007, 01:50:13 pm »
Yes its true - and just a little one (for a change ?)
Basically they are going to connect the lower jaw muscle
to my lip to give simple movement on the quiet side
No nerves are involved - its a simple re-wiring job
- even a lineman could do it... (even from Witchta ?)
Best Regards
Tony
Logged

Brendalu

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1286
  • Smile..it makes everyone wonder what you are up to
Re: Op no 9 ?
« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2007, 08:02:36 pm »
Tony,

Do you hold the record??  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Some of the linemen I've seen around here (Texas) I would be a little afraid to let them mess with my mouth even if Glenn Campbell was singing.  You take care and I'll get my pirate socks washed for this one.

Best thoughts and wishes,
Brenda
Logged
Brenda Oberholtzer
AN surgery 7/28/05
Peyman Pakzaban, NS
Chester Strunk, ENT

nancyann

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2251
  • carpe diem
Re: Op no 9 ?
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2007, 09:36:25 am »
Hey Tony:  When is your surgery date?   Are you having the temporalis muscle transfer ?     You know I just got back home from having the temporalis tendon transfer - when I bite down I will have a closed mouth smile (I'm still swollen, & it hurts to bite down, but the doc had me do it & it works !! - my right cheek moves when I bite down).
This new surgery also gives more symmetry to the face.  Gotta tell you, it was no walk in the park,   but was well worth it.  Let us know the date of your surgery - I remember you said it was going to be in December.

Always good thoughts,  Nancy
Logged
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

cookiesecond

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 303
Re: Op no 9 ?
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2007, 11:31:32 am »
Tony.....
I hope this will do it for you.You are definitely in our thoughts and prayers.
Take care,
Lynn
Logged

tony

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 666
Re: Op no 9 ?
« Reply #4 on: December 01, 2007, 01:53:57 pm »
Thanks to all and
Note to Nancyann
Yes I think its the same one(14-01-08)
Basically when you chew down a sort of smile develops
(it adds movement to an otherwise no-moving side)
There is no nerve involvement
just muscles and connections - so, simplish ?
I am very pleased to hear it has changed the symetry
a bit for you - tell me more, I need it too
I was warned that chewing might not be so much
fun for a bit - and faces tend to swell and bruise a bit too
- so soup is your friend these days ?
I would be interested to understand the recovery time etc
I had the option of upper jaw link or a lower jaw link
I thought the lower meant less distruption ?
Best regards
Tony
Logged

nancyann

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2251
  • carpe diem
Re: Op no 9 ?
« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2007, 02:18:12 pm »
Hi Tony:  Yes, with the temporalis tendon (rather than muscle) transfer, when I bite down the right side of my mouth will move slightly upward for a closed mouth smile.   There was an incredible amount of swelling (I also had the bilateral facelift & browlift to help with symmetry) immediately post op - my mom said she could only make out the tip of my nose because I was sooo swollen.  It remained very swollen for a few days, now little by little the swelling is going down (but still swollen 1 1/2 weeks later).
It hurts really bad to try a bite down still, geuss it will take quite a bit of time.   You're right, no nerve involvement with these procedures.   I have alot of bruising still purple & yellow.  My lips burn on the right side - I didn't even recognize that I had lips on the right side due to the purple color & stitches, but it looks better now, still need to recover.  He attached both upper & lower side of the mouth to the tendon(I think).
So, you have another month & a half till surgery.    I know the tendon transfer is relatively new & there weren't any doctors in my insurance network who perform it yet, so I have to pay 30% out of network, but I plan on talking with Cigna about this(among other things...).
All the best Tony,   Nancy
Logged
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

nancyann

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2251
  • carpe diem
Re: Op no 9 ?
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2008, 03:36:46 pm »
Hey Tony:  I noticed it's a little over a week until your surgery;   how are you holding up buddy?
Thinking good thoughts for you,  Nancy
Logged
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

tony

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 666
Re: Op no 9 ?
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2008, 02:58:55 am »
Yes - thanks - and you are right
- sadley Ive had to discontinue the St Johns Wort pre-surgery
- not a helpful substance when surgery is nearby....
(the term "old faithful" comes to mind ?)
Fortunately I have about 50 bottles of vino
in special reserve - for just such occasions
D-Day is a week, monday
Best Regards
Tony
Logged

Brendalu

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1286
  • Smile..it makes everyone wonder what you are up to
Re: Op no 9 ?
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2008, 08:17:53 am »
Good thoughts and prayers are with you Tony, as the count down begins.  The "vino" sounds like just the ticket for such occassions!
I have my pirate sox ready and waiting.
Brenda
Logged
Brenda Oberholtzer
AN surgery 7/28/05
Peyman Pakzaban, NS
Chester Strunk, ENT

jerseygirl

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 801
Re: Op no 9 ?
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2008, 11:45:05 am »
Tony,

Best of luck with your surgery! Hope everything will work out the way it should!

What does St. John's wort do for you? Did you try anything else for the same condition?

               Eve
Logged
Right side AN (6x3x3 cm) removed in 1988 by Drs. Benjamin & Cohen at NYU (16 hrs); nerves involved III - XII.
Regrowth at the brainstem 2.5 cm removed by Dr.Shahinian in 4 hrs at SBI (hopefully, this time forever); nerves involved IV - X with VIII missing. No facial or swallowing issues.

tony

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 666
Re: Op no 9 ?
« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2008, 01:18:43 pm »
err.. St Johns Wort is basically a "non-perscription" (ie non-doctor)
natural/herbal, anti-depressant, it also has a calming effect
(clue:most useful if you have a temper shorter than Tyson`s)
A blind survey in Germany found it as good as any
of the known/offical medications - Prozac etc
It has two known side effects
a) it thins blood and reduces the clotting effect after wounds
- so a no-no pre-surgery
This can be lifethreatening, as can a dozen other herbal solutions
if taken at the wrong time....
b) can stop other medication from working
(inc the pill - so I am told)
So - yes it works
but as ever- handle with care
Best Regards
Tony
Logged

jerseygirl

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 801
Re: Op no 9 ?
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2008, 01:34:34 pm »
Tony,

Does the brand matter? I know we have different ones in the Sates but it is good to know because it pays to try a few then? Do you know if it interferes with omega-3 and then thins the blood too much? Sounds like you know about it a lot!


                      Eve
Logged
Right side AN (6x3x3 cm) removed in 1988 by Drs. Benjamin & Cohen at NYU (16 hrs); nerves involved III - XII.
Regrowth at the brainstem 2.5 cm removed by Dr.Shahinian in 4 hrs at SBI (hopefully, this time forever); nerves involved IV - X with VIII missing. No facial or swallowing issues.

tony

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 666
Re: Op no 9 ?
« Reply #12 on: January 10, 2008, 01:06:15 pm »
I think all I would say re "alternative" remedies is its
maybe best not to have 2 at the same time that have similar effects ?

Re the OP Yes it will go quiet here from Sun eve.
Shock of the day...
I call to check and confirm mondays little outing :
07:30 AM arrive...
08:00 AM meet surgeon...
08:30 Wheeled to pre-op.....
- all my life in a que and now
FOR THIS I AM IN POLE POSITION ! I get the OSCAR !
Can I just say to whom-so-ever I ever ever offended
I dont know what I ever, ever, did...
But I am trully.....deeply....completey.....SORRY
rant over...
Bye for now
Tony
Logged

nancyann

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2251
  • carpe diem
Re: Op no 9 ?
« Reply #13 on: January 10, 2008, 02:34:32 pm »
Getting a bit jittery about the surgery Tony? -  you're going to love the results.
Everyday I feel better & better, especially when I look in the mirror & see the droop is gone !

Those op times look awfully familiar, only I had to be there by 7am.....
Logged
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

tony

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 666
Re: Op no 9 ?
« Reply #14 on: January 10, 2008, 02:59:04 pm »
Firstly I am glad you have such improvement so soon
- that really is a very good sign
Secondly, scared me ?
.....only on a day with a "Y" in it.....
Best Regards
Tony
Logged
Pages: [1] 2
« previous next »