the 1 - 6 facial scale

[Keri]

Hello,
I'm almost 8 weeks post op translab. My facial weakness / paralysis was very pronounced at first, but has improved.

I went to a follow up appt with my ENT today. He said I was a '4' on a scale of 1 - 6. I can't rememeber if 1 is the best or 6 is the best! I guess I'm almost in the middle. I can smile a bit on my weak side (closed mouth). My eye doesn't close all the way. Sometimes I think I'm blinking but I'm not. My eye just sits there wide eyed and open all the time. I have more forehead movement now. My wrinkles on the AN side are starting to come back! I know it will be slow and I am improving. Just can't remember if I want to be heading for a 1 or a 6!

Thank you,
Keri

[saralynn143]

You want to be a 1. As in "We're number one!"

Sara

[lori67]

Head for the 1!!

Wrinkles coming back and movement in the forehead is a good sign.  Who would have thought anyone would be happy to get wrinkles back?  Don't people usually pay to get rid of them?   

Lori

[JulieE]

So, I remember not even knowing about that scale and which way is improving.  Then I saw my surgeon B4 a postop apt. at a nearby restaraunt, and he announced "you look great - I'ld say almost a 4!"  I remember thinking, "Gee, I've always put myself about a 7..."  Here's to learning the right way to go on the scale and continuing improvement until getting there.
Best, Julie

[Keri]

thanks for your helpful and funny answers. i'll asprire to be a 1, not a 6!

[Kaybo]

I never even knew about a scale until I got on here...I'd say I was definitely a 6 or 12!

K

[OTO]

House-Brackmann Scale
I - Normal
VI - No movement

We strive to be No. 1... yeah team

[lori67]

Kay, you overachiever!

[Kaybo]

Well..what can I say??  I just want to be the best at everything I do...but let's not ANYONE try to achieve the same stature of facial paralysis as ME!!

K

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Keri ~

Well, on that House-Brackman scale, you're almost half-way to 'normal'.  Not too shabby for only 8 weeks post-op.   I think you're going to do very well. 

Jim

[Keri]

i'm halfway normal??? oh, you meant my facial recovery!

[jazzfunkanne]

i was a six now i would say i was a two, still healing

[saralynn143]

This site has good descriptions of the House-Brackman scale:
http://www.entusa.com/bells_palsy.htm

I see Dr. Neely of the Neely-Chung grading scale mentioned on the same page.

Sara