Will weight implant give me a normal blink?

[psmix]

I've been using a Blinkeze weight for about 6 weeks now, and have scheduled an appointment for an implant. The Blinkeze definitely helps, but I often have to replace the adhesive several times a day and it's just a hassle. I've been a little bit disappointed that, even with the Blinkeze, my "bad" eye doesn't blink naturally with my other eye (it blinks well when make a conscious effort to blink), and I find that I still have to use Refresh PM ointment several times a day. I have increased the size of the weight once to try to get more "blink", but it didn't make much of a difference.

My question is, should I realistically expect that a weight will give me a completely normal blink? I don't know if I should go for an even heavier implant, or if this is as good as it gets (which is considerably better than without any weight at all!)

I'm almost 4 months post-op and haven't gotten any movement back in my face yet. Nerve is intact, so I am patiently waiting for some improvement, but I think it's going to be awhile. I want to have whatever the optimal intervention is in the meantime. I appreciate your experiences!

Pam

[Kaybo]

Well, being as I can't watch myself blink, I can't answer you for sure BUT I wouldn't think that it would blink completely normally since that is an instinctive thing that you body does (can't think of the correct word right now).  I tried different weights - after it was implanted - because we just couldn't get the right one, even after using the Blinkeze.  However, I caution that as the skin is so delicate!!  When I had a weight in, I used Refresh PM only at night and one drop of Systane during the days (unless it got red)... Hopefully you will find that the implant is even better than the Blinkeze...& it is definitely easily reversible!!

Good luck!!

K   

Out of curiosity, do you have feeling n your face??

[saralynn143]

I have an implant and while I am able to close with a conscious effort, my regular blink is not complete. It's better than without, though. The major benefit is not having to tape my eye shut or wear a patch at night. Like you, I use Refresh PM two to three times daily.

The implant is way better than the BlinkEze. I could never get the adhesive right and it would roll just as soon as I blinked.

[moe]

Since I had my facial nerve cut my blink reflex will never return (this is even with two surgeries to reboot the facial nerve). So the weight helps me to lower the eyelid.
And yes,it is reversible, so a good idea for protection of the cornea (very important!). Hopefully your face will "come back" over time. Since your face nerve wasn't cut, there is hope. I'd say go for it 
Maureen

[MARAKI]

Hi Pam! I had the same question with you! I have tarsorraphy 15months now! The movement in the whole face have been improved but the forehead and the eye have shown the less improvement.
What moe said really disappoint me as I had facial nerve cut too!
An opharmologist told me that an implant unfortunately won;t offer me the blinking but I would able probably protect the eye as I have protected with tarsorraphy so far.
Personally I would removed tarsorraphy after summer and if it is necessary I would put the implant too! I can;t wait any more with tarsorraphy!
Maraki

[moe]

Marakai,
I also had the tarsorrhaphy before my gold weight for about 6 months. I was so relieved to get that eye open.
Since you do have some movement in your face, except for the forehead and eye, that is a GOOD sign. Who knows in time maybe you will get some blink reflex back once the tarsorrhaphy is reversed. Everyone is different. Apparently I had a double whammy. I have a poor blink reflex to begin with (the oculoplastic surgeon could tell this by eye exam to both eyes), and then I had the tumor that had been in there so long, the doctor said most of the "branches" were also affected. So that is why even with the surgeries to connect the face nerve back, and then the subsequent 12/7 nerve graft, there was minimal rejuvenation.

So take heart, and keep your spirits up for better results. That is  so cool that your face is moving!!!
Maureen

[psmix]

Thanks for your input. I have an appointment with the occular plastic surgeon tomorrow, and I'll see what she thinks.

Kaybo - yes, most of the feeling has returned to my face, though I still have some numbness around my mouth. Sometimes I think I'm getting small movement in my lower lip, but closer to the center than the outer corner. Does that seem wierd? I always thought the movement would start at the side of my face and move toward the center, since that's how the nerve grows. Maybe it's my imagination. 

[Kaybo]

I don't have any feeling in the paralyzed side of my face - I thought that it was this way for everybody with a paralyzed face until I got on here!!  I'm finding out now that I am in the great MINORITY!!  That's OK though - it just makes me more special!!  I was just curious!  Let us know what the occuloplastic surgeon says!!

K 

[leanne]

Hi Kaybo,

I too dont have any feeling in the paralyzed side of my face. I have started to get a bit of movement back around my mouth though.  
I am starting physio therpary soon which includes an electrical stimulant programme so hopefully that will help to get some more movement & get some feeling back.

Leanne x

[hruss]

Kay, I don't have feeling all over the injured part of my face. At first, I did not have feelings at all, but gradually I started to pay my dentist for anaesthetic when he did my teeth  However, I still dont feel anything around my lips, on the nose, a little bit on the cheek and on the forehead. I dont feel anything in the eye - so that is why i can't tell when i have an eye lash.  so it is not a problem when i put drops in this eye.

hrissy

[Kaybo]

Hrissy~
I don't think I realized this - so do you feel PART of the AN side?

K   

[hruss]

Yes, Kay, part of my face I can feel, the other is just numb as the worst parts are forehead and the corner of the mouth

Hrissy