Jean, Sorry I am writing back so late, my computer is having a mind of it's own lately. I got my eye weight about 2 months after surgery and had it removed 16 months after surgery. It really helped and I was really glad to get it out!!! During the year and a half after surgery, both of my daughters got married. They are four years apart and got married ten months apart. I just kind of gave it over to God and moved forward and it all worked out great. Actually, I have been having some tickle sensations in the corner of my mouth. On Fourth of july I had a sudden shock feeling in my tongue and then very strong tickle sensations. I still have some numbness on the AN side but I am so much better. Someone even asked which side it was! As you get more movement you will most likely will get sykinesis. Don't do the extreme movements when you are doing exercises. Until everything is activated, you don't want to emphasize the abnormal. Check the bells palsy site for stretches for your face. Jackie explained that once your nerves regenerate, it is not weakness that causes you not to smile, but your muscles working against each other. My neck muscles definitely took over my face muscles. By stretching them and my check muscles it has gradually released my smile muscles. I am definitely much better, although not 100%. I like to think of it as giving more character to my face. Have you noticed how many people that haven't earned it like us have a crooked face. I am always telling my husband to look at someone's crooked face (I guess that makes mine ok). I am two and a half years post surgery and thankfully my doctor is encouraging me to keep expecting improvements. Blessings, Cath
