Gold weight implant operation

[Joef]

Looks like a big weight... do you know what the weight is ?

[jchughes68]

Thank you so much for posting the pictures of your gold weight surgery.  I am having that done soon and very nervous about it.

[msswartz]

Hi,

I actually don't know what the weight is.  I did notice that my eye didn't open as easily in the morning.  I can shut my eyes, drive with my left eye closed in the morning but by afternoon both eyes are open all the time.  I can close my left eye by independently of the right but the right only closes with the left.  It's a strange muscle control thing I have going on.  Maybe it is drying out, I don't know.

I am going in on Friday for a follow up.  We'll see what the doc says.  I'll ask out the weight too... at nearly 1100 an oz I might have quite a bit of money there. ha ha

Michael

[gman100]

I can only lower my "gold-weighted" eye as I close my other eye as well, I think that may be normal? If it isn't I would definitely like to know! I can still close my other eye independently though.  I think the gold-weight operates with a muscle that only works in tandem with both eyes, which is unaffected by CN7. That's why people can still open up their lids like a deer in headlights, but you can't just do that with one eye.

Speaking of the cost of gold, when I got my old weight taken out, the doctor gave it to me. Big money! If someone would like to buy it let me know!

[jchughes68]

Nancy,  Where did you get the NightEye Bubble Patch?  Chris

[tracyd]

Hi all,
I'm so glad I found this site.  I have Bell Palsy 2 years ago, very fortunate that I recovered about 85% but my right eye still can't blink.  My Opthamologist suggest the gold weight implant but i too nervous about the surgery.  I know Michael & Sara just had it done.  Could you please tell me more info how you experience with post implant & are you happy that you did? 
Thanks,
Tracy

[saralynn143]

Hi Tracy, I am very happy that I have the implant. Mine is a 1.8 gram platinum. It is a simple surgery. Mine was done in an outpatient surgery center, but there are doctors who do it in their office.

The only negative to my experience was that my surgeon was running late and my 1:00 procedure was not done until 4:30, and since I could have nothing to eat or drink after midnight I was very hungry and thirsty. I was sedated, not unconscious, the procedure took no time at all once we got into the ER, and I did not bruise.

The implant does not give a complete blink without conscious effort, but helps to keep the eye closed during sleep. I still use Refresh PM round the clock but do not have to put it in more than two or three times per day. I've just adapted to the blurry vision on the left side. My ophthalmologist is happy at every checkup that my cornea is not dry.

At the ANA Symposium last summer, people were amazed that I have an implant, because I have no drooping of that eyelid. You can see it if my eye is shut, and I do not wear eye shadow because it accentuates the little bump-out where the implant is.

Where do you live? I had my surgery done at Washington University in St. Louis and I would highly recommend my surgeon.

Sara

[mandy721]

Hi Tracy,

My husband had a platinum weight implanted a few days after his surgery and the eye procedure was very quick and relatively simple.  I think it took about an hour and by that time he was back in the wheelchair ready to go back to his room. The eye was bruised for a few days, but healed quickly. 

Prior to the implant, he wasn't able to close his right eye.  His eye doesn't close completley when he is in an upright position, but it almost does! During the day he uses drops frequently.  He is now 7 months out from surgery and his eye is healthy.  At night he uses Refresh PM and a patch fashioned from Glad Press & Seal since the eyelid doesn't close when he is lying down. 

Ken knows the weight is there, but it isn't noticeable. We are in NY and the surgeon who did the implant is the best. Ken went to our regular opthamologist yesterday for an eye exam and he raved about the surgeon, so if you are in the area, I would be happy to recommend him.

Miranda

[Nickittynic]

Just wanted to jump in here as another person with a gold weight who would concur that the surgery isn't much of a big deal.

The only thing I would have done differently would be to ask for some sort of sedation - maybe a valium or something, haha. Since I had it done one month after my resection surgery, and the weight surgery was done just under local, I donno it was just kind of anxiety producing for me to be 'with it' the whole time. Maybe it wouldn't matter as much if I didn't work in a hospital? I just know the last time I was in the OR (helping with a C-section) I didn't feel so good.

Like Sara said, I don't really blink without conscious effort, but when I do want to close it (to sleep or do a more purposeful blink, ie close my eyes) the weight allows my eye to close more like 80-90% vs the probably 50% it was before I got it. I also use Refresh celluvisc drops during the day and PM ointment at night, and my corneal specialist says my cornea still looks great!

My surgeon did an awesome job and you can't tell at all that I have it from the outside. Every once in awhile I get a little "pinch" feeling in the corner, but otherwise I wouldn't know I had it either. For anyone looking for a gold weight in MD, check out Dr Doxanos.

[msswartz]

Hi Tracy,

I will be happy to have my wife take a pic or two so I can post them.  There's another project for this weekend.   

As far as being nervous, I can only speak about my own personal experience.  I was a little nervous too but I figured it could be as bad as the AN surgery or as bad as an oral surgery that I had done last July.  And the other postings seemed so confirm that as long as you kept it iced up with frozen peas or something else soft and flexible, and had some tylenol handy and could be a few days off work to rest, it was ok.  So, I did it. 

The procedure itself was absolutely painless and very stress free.  In fact, I was very relaxed.  That may be because my doc had an anethesiologist there who ran an IV and probably put it some relaxant with the other meds.  I don't know.  They also played calming music and talked to me before and after very nicely.

The pain was probably no worse than having a black eye.  It felt sore and swollen.  It didn't really hurt as I expected it to.  And in a few days I was still a little swollen but had no pain.  in a week or so, I felt pretty normal considering what condition my condition is in.

Since then my eye closes at night with no problem.  It is very dark under my eyelids.  My eyes close easily together and that is a relief.  Once my eyelid swelling and tenderness went away I could touch it almost as normal.  I still won't rub it like I do the other one when it is irritated, but that is probably just as well.  I still use ointment but only morning and evening.  My eye still tears now and then but that isn't because of the weight.  The eyelid doesn't really look bigger than the other one and one wouldn't suspect a thing unless they knew what to look for and really looked at it. 

So, all things considered, it is a pretty good thing.

Michael

[nancyann]

Hi Chris:  sorry I haven't responded to your question - missed it.  The NITEYE Dry Eye Comforter is made by Medtronic, the phone # is 1-800-874 - 5797.
they cost about $28/14 nonsterile,  I buy them by the carton & save $100.+ dollars since I have total paralysis & will need them forever !
The people are really nice - 1st they give you a customer #, then you call back the next day & place your order.  They arrive at my home in 1-2 days from ordering.
They work great.  I got so tired of the plastic wrap & tape, so I choose to pay the $ & use their product.
Always good thoughts, Nancy

[msswartz]

Hello,

Ok, here are pics of my eye at about 1.5 months post op.  The eyelid is clean and not very tender at all.  I think it went pretty well.

It is important to note that my lower eyelid was stitched up so the left eye is actually a little more narrow now than the other one.  This does not bother me at all.  Also note that my eye was a little red.  I had been reading so my eyes were a litte tired and dry.  My wife had just put ointment in my eye so there is a little goop near the edges.

http://www.itsupportnet.com/surgery/postop-eye1s.jpg
http://www.itsupportnet.com/surgery/postop-eye2s.jpg
http://www.itsupportnet.com/surgery/postop-eye3s.jpg

Hope that helps,
Michael

[nancyann]

WOW Michael - your eye looks great ! !  & you can close it !   Wonderful progress. 
Always good thoughts,  Nancy

[msswartz]

Hi!

Thanks Nancy.  I am feeling ok.  I am still waiting for my double vision to resolve and for my facial nerve to wake up.  But the eyelid does close now and thats good.

Best wishes to you!


Michaell