Gold Weight Implant

[saralynn143]

Make sure they keep the weight for you after it is removed tomorrow. You can sell the metal or you have an interesting memento.

Do you know how heavy your internal weight is? I have an external 1.6 gram weight that is gathering dust around here.

Sara

P.S. I think the deep cleansing breath is a very good idea. Extrusion happens; I'm just sorry it happened to you.

[TP]

Doc I am so sorry. I shared with you how great my eye weight surgery was and how simple the procedure would be. I had problems after my AN was removed, had two additional CSF surgeries, had to be stitched up twice (without novication) got meningitis, had to have a pic line inserted and home antibiotics for 2 weeks for 6 hours a day, had to have a lumbar drain inserted and during those 6 weeks I could not close my eye and the patches I was wearing scratched my eye so when my eye Dr (regular opthamolgist) said he could insert a gold weight and I should be able to close my eye, I never had any idea something like what you guys have been going thru would happen. Keep in mind this eye also had double vision so I had to wear black tape over my glasses for about a year until (I got a stick on prism (had to see another eye dr specialist at another hospital)). Wore the prism for 4 months until I had my double vision surgery which was a very unusual surgery (two day process). A few months later when my regular opthamologist removed my gold weight it took a matter of 15 minutes and my husband sat in his office and watched the whole thing.

Doc, I am so sorry. Please hang in there. I know how difficult the eye issues can be. Please don't give up. Once you are able to close your eye on your own (with the help of a weight) it make a world of difference. Please reconsider once you are healed. Keeping you in my prayers.

[Doc]

Make sure they keep the weight for you after it is removed tomorrow. You can sell the metal or you have an interesting memento.

Do you know how heavy your internal weight is? I have an external 1.6 gram weight that is gathering dust around here.

Sara

P.S. I think the deep cleansing breath is a very good idea. Extrusion happens; I'm just sorry it happened to you.

I'll know soon if they're going to remove the weight...it's 1.8 grams, not much.

[Doc]

Doc I am so sorry. I shared with you how great my eye weight surgery was and how simple the procedure would be. I had problems after my AN was removed, had two additional CSF surgeries, had to be stitched up twice (without navigation) got meningitis, had to have a pic line inserted and home antibiotics for 2 weeks for 6 hours a day, had to have a lumbar drain inserted and during those 6 weeks I could not close my eye and the patches I was wearing scratched my eye so when my eye Dr (regular epidemiologist) said he could insert a gold weight and I should be able to close my eye, I never had any idea something like what you guys have been going Thur would happen. Keep in mind this eye also had double vision so I had to wear black tape over my glasses for about a year until (I got a stick on prism (had to see another eye Dr specialist at another hospital)). Wore the prism for 4 months until I had my double vision surgery which was a very unusual surgery (two day process). A few months later when my regular epidemiologist removed my gold weight it took a matter of 15 minutes and my husband sat in his office and watched the whole thing.

Doc, I am so sorry. Please hang in there. I know how difficult the eye issues can be. Please don't give up. Once you are able to close your eye on your own (with the help of a weight) it make a world of difference. Please reconsider once you are healed. Keeping you in my prayers.

Gosh TP, you've been through the ringer...my little eye problem pails in comparison. The Eye Surgeons office called this morning and bumped up my appointment to 11:30 "just in case they have to take the weight out."  If they do, I'm done with Implants...not going to endure that again...the pain and discomfort just aren't worth it to me.  I appreciate everything you wrote, but really, my recovery has gone relatively well and I'm not going to subject myself to any more distasteful events or procedures...its my body, my life...these Doctor's are just out to bill the insurance company for another procedure...the heck with them, they don't care about the consequences or after effects on the patient, they're so cavalier in their approach it sickens me.

Thanks again!
 
Doc

[Doc]

That's it, all gone.  My recently implanted gold weight had to be removed after only two weeks because it broke through the skin.  Thanks to many of you folks, Cheri in particular, I knew to ask about external stick-on weights...mine will be ready in a few weeks!

End of Story, I hope!

 
Doc

[Jim Scott]

Doc ~

For what it's worth, I was sorry to learn about the failure of the gold weight implant (extrusion).  I can understand your anger at this disastrous turn of events.  With the pain, the bloody mess and all the frustrations of dealing with both your eye and now, the problems stemming from the weight implant that was supposed to help you, you must be stressed out - and with good reason.

I would consider selling the gold weight.  Gold is up to $1,000. + per ounce so even at a paltry 1.8 grams, it might be worth something.  That way, it isn't a total waste.  A lawsuit may or may not be realistic.  I have no idea.  An attorney can tell you straight off if you have a case.

Best of luck with the external stick-on weight.  It's got to be an improvement! 

Jim

[cyrmom2]

Hi Doc.
I'm so sorry to read about your horrible gold weight troubles.  Did your surgeon have anything to say to you when he took it out?  I really hope the external weight works for you.  Mine is sliding around a lot and has rotated with my skin still attached. I guess the skin on my eyelid is very loose now. Bummer.

I'm scheduled for gold weight surgery November 13; however, I'm still on the fence about the procedure. I've not had additional progress with my eye since week four post-op and some days it is worse. The plastic surgeon will be using a 1.2 gram weight. I did read an article summary about the use of fillers (hyaluronic acid gel) as a nonsurgical alternative to the gold weight (Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Jan/Feb 2009). I wish this was an option for me.

Keep us posted on your eye recovery.
Cyndi

[Doc]

Hi Jim,

My Attorney already told me not to waste my money and his time...enough said.  I'm going to keep the weight as a reminder of the "pain" since they wouldn't let me keep a piece of the Tumor; just kidding...1.8 grams won't get you a cup of coffee now days.

Cyndi,

I'm certainly not a good one to ask about having Weight Implant Surgery, you know what my recommendation is going to be.  Many people have had weights implanted with great success.  Ask around before making up your mind.  Good luck with that, I'm certainly not going to do it again even though the Eye Surgeon recommended a second go even though he couldn't explain why the first failed...just happens he said.
 
Doc

[nancyann]

Hi Doc:   The weight is stitched in place, so I don't know why it happened....   I had to have my gold weight removed & had a platinum one put in months later but that was due to an allergy.   My paralysis is so bad I have no choice but to have a weight in,  & I'm glad I haven't had any problems with the last one.
I go to an oculoplastic surgeon to have procedures done, an ophthalmologist for keeping a check on my cornea, etc.
I hope you won't need a weight put in down the line - since your paralysis will be temporary.

Always good thoughts,  Nancy

[Doc]

Hi Doc:   The weight is stitched in place, so I don't know why it happened....   I had to have my gold weight removed & had a platinum one put in months later but that was due to an allergy.   My paralysis is so bad I have no choice but to have a weight in,  & I'm glad I haven't had any problems with the last one.
I go to an oculoplastic surgeon to have procedures done, an ophthalmologist for keeping a check on my cornea, etc.
I hope you won't need a weight put in down the line - since your paralysis will be temporary.

Always good thoughts,  Nancy

Hi Nancy, I sure am glad to hear from you.  The Doctor, an Oculoplastics Surgeon also, said sometimes the weight just "migrates" but couldn't explain it further.  It was removed about six hours ago and I'm still able to close my eye which perhaps is a sign my 7 nerve had started to wake up again while the weight was in.  I don't know for sure whats up but I can close and open it, but only when I also close the right eye.  As for the "temporary" paralysis, lord I hope you're right because my Neuro won't say either way...he's noncommittal when it comes to giving me a prognosis for my recovery; I guess he doesn't want to guess.  

Thanks and take care!
  
Doc   (I don't know why I always use the wink guy cause I can't do that!!!)

[moe]

Hey Doc,
Well now I know what that gold weight looks likes! Looks mighty cumbersome.
Hopefully your eye will behave and close on its own.
Sorry you had to endure all that, and it is especially disappointing when doctors just brush it off. They do this all the time, (well, not all the time and not all doctors)  but they need to learn a little better bedside manner and lower themselves. Like "I'm so sorry about this. This rarely happens...." or something.  (maybe he did).
Maybe this is God's  (or your eye's) way of saying you never even needed  it!
So take it easy while your body continues to heal. It is a slow steady process.
I'm still waiting for  my face to come back. I ha but he said it would take a while. I'm also enjoying treating all the other things going on inside of me at the same time.
But thankfully I had no problems with my weight-they never mentioned anything like that to me either about the complication.
Rest easy,'
Maureen

[Doc]

Hi Maureen,

Glad to hear your weight procedure is working well for you.  You certainly have a positive attitude!

I don't think Doctor's generally mean to be so standoffish, it's probably just a natural human instinct to not get to close to "us" and openly share all of their thoughts; it probably weighs on them over time when things don't go well as they sometimes do not.

It's been almost twenty-four hours since the weight was removed and I'm still able to shut, and keep shut, my eye...my 7 nerve seems to have a renewed spark of life since the weight first went in two weeks ago; maybe having it in actually helped me somehow.  Hopefully that will get better as will your face.  I'm still dealing with a lot of facial paralysis too, especially around my left eye and mouth. It's still hard for me to eat and I make a real mess of things; especially the front of my shirt!  Forget about getting a smile out of me, it's physically impossible for me right now...I can smirk, but most people are offended by that so I generally avoid even trying. 

On a final note, I asked about the insurance billing for the removal procedure and got a surprise...no he said "this one is on the house."  I'll believe it when I *don't* see it.  You be well Maureen, and please make sure that positive attitude stays out front; people like me often take our strength from people like you!

 
Doc

[Kaybo]

Well, Doc, even though I am sorry that you had to go thru this...it may be a HUGE blessing in disguise!!  I would take a few days of bloody mess if it meant that I could blink my eye again!!    Here's hoping that your eye keeps working well!

K 

[Doc]

Well, Doc, even though I am sorry that you had to go thru this...it may be a HUGE blessing in disguise!!  I would take a few days of bloody mess if it meant that I could blink my eye again!!    Here's hoping that your eye keeps working well!

K 

Thanks K and thanks for the insight into the external weight too!
 
Doc

[moe]

Yea, Doc, it is a part time job working on that positive attitude! I'm glad I can be of service.
In my other post, I accidentally erased the part of acupuncture.
It is helping me with EVERYTHING! My moods/energy/neck pain/back pain/ facial paralysis -baby steps in that category but it is working.
I'm so glad the doctor said no more surgery yet (back in Aug) which prompted me to look into acupuncture. I'm a believer now.
Anyway keep your eye nice and clean- no infection allowed.
Just add this to your blog. Milk it for what it's worth- "the weight was forcing it's way through my eyelid like some alien, blood splurting everywhere!........"
 
Maureen