How soon for Gold Weight!

[didyb]

Hi- I'm a full 12 days past surgery- how time flies! While my facial paralysis is cosmetically and emotionally draining- I feel that things would just be "better" if I could see. My ENT and Neurosurgeon recommend starting the gold weight process ASAP- but my ophthalmologist thinks I should wait 3 months. Both sides have put forth rational reasons, and I see the merits of both-- but not being able to see out of my right eye is a true disability (as you all know). I've been cleared to drive by all the Drs, but they must be crazy-- how can I drive when I can't see out of 1 eye? As the ENT/Neurosurgeon state, the gold weight can be taken out as easily as it can be put in- and they both want to protect the eye and help my life get to a happier place.
Your input would be appreciated.

[alabamajane]

Hi, all I can say is ,, I had my gold weight put in immediately after the AN surgery,, before I left the hospital .. Not sure why they would wait,,, does your eyelid close now? Mine would not have ( surgery was 2 years ago this month,,, time DOES indeed fly),,,

I am actually scheduled in 11 days to have it removed as I have had enough recovery in facial movement that Dr thinks it is now too heavy for eyelid,, it is a 1.2 gram gold weight ,, you might also ask about a platinum weight instead as I am told that is a lighter metal and you can get by with a smaller weight,, all Dr questions though,,

I believe I would have had major problems with dry eye, and perhaps cornea problems if I had not gotten the weight ASAP but that's my opinion,,, good luck ,, let us know how it goes,, Jane

[saralynn143]

My advice is do it now. I got a platinum weight 2.5 months post-op and would have loved to have it sooner.

[mandy721]

My husband had the platinum weight procedure about a week after his surgery.  His facial paralysis set in about 24 hours after surgery and a weight was recommended then.  He was reluctant to have any more surgery, but within a few days decided to have the weight put in.  He was still in the hospital and in bad shape; I remember the wheel chair ride to the eye institute through the tunnels linking the buildings.  The weight is a big help in getting more normal eye closure during the day; he has never second guessed the decision to have it put in.
Fyi - Many states allow people who are legally blind in one eye to drive.   

[Gloria Nailor]

I had my surgery on 6/15/11 and my gold weight placed about 2.5 weeks later.  I have a stitch in my eye lid too, which I got the following spring, I wish I got it sooner, it helped me immensely.  I don't like the way the stitch looks but I no longer need eye drops, I was using them hourly.  Good luck in your recovery, be well!

[didyb]

Thanks Y'all for the responses. I'm getting my gold weight this week!!
The Dr said a 5 day recovery time- but since I seemed to be doing well so soon after the AN surgery, it could be shorter. What did you experience as "recovery" after the gold weight placement?

[saralynn143]

No time at all, didyb. Make sure to keep ice on it after surgery, though. I'm convinced that is why I did not even bruise.

[Gloria Nailor]

My recovery after my gold weight was just a few days, had it done on a Friday and went back to work on Monday, ice is good !

[didyb]

Well, the gold weight is in and I was told to wait 2 weeks to get a new RX for my glasses. I'm practicing closing/opening my eye-- and am looking very forward to getting to a point where I can see correctly. For 2 days after the gold weight- I looked really good-- I had some facial swelling that lifted my right side and I wasn't as crooked. Guess I should have taken some family pictures-- because now I'm back to being droopy.