Moe's long awaited gimpy faced pics

[moe]

Let's see if this works. These are my some of my pics finally!


Puero Vallarto, Mexico Feb 08 - 8 months post op

April 09  15 months post 12/7 transposition -resting pose

Smiling pose.

So what do you think? I've gained some muscle tone around the left eye jaw bone, but nothing happening around the mouth, cheek.
Need some type of surgery to bring my left side of mouth up and put some muscle into the cheek. Don't know if it is severe enough for the T3 surgery.
 

[nancyann]

Hi there Moe,  you're about 15 months post op.  This is about the time to decide if you want to wait & see if tone & movement will come back on its own, or look into other treatments.
 Before you think about the T3,  I would look into a nerve graft, either the 7/12 jump (tongue nerve jump to the AN facial nerve) or the
cross nerve graft (opposite side facial nerve jump to AN facial nerve), + others.   I went the T3 route because my facial nerve had no response on the nerve monitor from beginning to the end of surgery, was cut & re-attached,  but never regained movement.
I hope you already know to take extreme care with your AN eye, to keep it lubricated so your cornea doesn't get dry,   
The best products seem to be Refresh PM lubricant & Refresh Celluvisc.

Always good thoughts,  Nancy
(ps:  I have before/after pictures of my T3 surgery @ Facial Issues, Post Temporalis Tendon Transfer)

[moe]

Hi Nancy,
Yes, the second 2 pics are post 12/7 transposition!  Just is not taking. I have a tough nerve
This summer will be the 18 month check up for the 12/7 , at UW in Seattle, so we'll see what they say.
They have a facial nerve specialty clinic there, I'm sure with good surgeons too.
I do have some movement on the left side of the face.
Thanks for your input
Maureen

[CROOKEDSMILE]

Hi Maureen,
I would talk with Nancy or Kay to discuss the surgery that they had. I do believe that you would be a candidate if you are willing to go through the surgery. After seeing their results I would for sure have it done if I needed it. Looks like you are taking good care of that eye. I am having an eye tuck in May. You could also have that done to where that eye would not droop. It is called a canthoplasty (outpatient procedure). I'm so glad that there are surgeries for us if we are just willing to have them!
Angie

[CROOKEDSMILE]

By the way......your face isn't gimpy.
Angie

[TaraT]

Moe,

I think you look great.  Thanks so much for the pictures.  I don't know anything about the surgery stuff as I just had my AN surgery.  You do look really nice though.  Tara

[nancyann]

Moe,  I didn't see written under your picture until now that you already had the 7/12 jump.
So,  it's been about 15 mos. post op,  see what your docs say this summer.   
There's no rush in thinking about the T3
For me,  this procedure was a Godsend !
Keep in touch on what you decide.
Always good thoughts,  Nancy

[sgerrard]

Hi Maureen,

I don't know much about these facial surgeries, except what I read here. To answer your question, though, I think that what matters is how you feel about your face. If you are not happy with your results so far, and have the means to pursue other options, then that is what you should do. I don't know if your are looking for that kind of confirmation, but if you are, you have it from me.

Myself, I don't much mind whether a smile is sideways or not. What I want to see is the twinkle in your eye that says you are smiling in your heart. I can infer the rest. 

Steve

[saralynn143]

Hi Moe, it looks to me like you are really close to symmetry at rest, which is a major benchmark. Lots of healing can still occur. Do you think you can stand to wait until the two-year mark to make a decision?

Are you seeing a facial nerve specialist? Does s/he have any recommendations at this point?

Sara

[mimoore]

Hi Maureen,
Looking good. Others will chime in that have more experience with nerve transfers. I just wanted to say looking good - baby steps!
Hugs Michelle 

[MAlegant]

Hi Moe,
Ok, NOT gimpy.  I'm with Steve; the twinkle in your eye means more than the symmetry of your face.  I think you look pretty good and at rest, very good.  I'd take half a smile from someone who is genuine than all the "full" smiles in the world that mean nothing.  Good luck on your journey.
Best,
Marci

[lori67]

Moe, I think you look great!  Your "resting" face looks very symmetrical - mine is like that too - looks good when resting, but it's more noticeable that something isn't right when I try to smile.  My doctor was telling me that there are procedures out there that can help with the overall symmetry - not with the movement, but more static things that can be done.  We didn't get into detail on them because I'm still in the healing phase from my 7-12 so I'll wait to see what my final result is before considering that.  I'm sure if you can find the right doctor out by you, you can find out what is available.

I couldn't agree more with those that say you can see the true smile in your eyes.  I will admit, at first I didn't believe the people that said that, but it's true.  My kids always know when I'm smiling at them just by looking at my eyes and I know if they can pick up on it, other people can too.

I think you look beautiful.  And by the way, I don't think I'd be smiling if there was a giant lizard sitting on my shoulders anyway!   

Lori

[yardtick]

Moe,

You look wonderful.  It seems we are always so critical of ourselves.  Remember what you have gone through with your husband in Afghanistan, selling your house, your son graduating from high school, all while having surgery to eradicate AN and recovering.  When you look at yourself repeat you are a survivor, a warrior and a most importantly a beautiful woman inside and out.

Anne Marie OX

[moe]

Thank you all for your positive replys.
Yes, we are our own worst critics. (Boy I needed make up on those photos too!)
I have a problem with my "F"s and "P"s and trouble with eating apples/big sandwiches, so definitely need that side lifted somehow around the mouth/cheek for functional purpose. The only way I'll eat an apple is if I use the wedgy thingy to cut it up.
 Yep, A eye tuck would help too- lots of problems with eye irritation, heaviness of weight.I keep ointment in it 24/7

Okay I'll keep half smiling for now and let you know what the surgeon says in a couple of months and I won't call me gimpy faced!

SARA- I'm not seeing a facial nerve specialist, but hoping that this summer there will be a referral. Hard to say with military healthcare.

No doctor has EVER recommended facial training/exercises. I think they want to see if the nerve is even working before that. But I do my own exercises/facial massage anyway.

Thanks again,
Maureen

[saralynn143]

Moe,
The facial nerve specialist I see at Washington University in St. Louis flat out told me he would not recommend exercises or any type of physical therapy or facial retraining until at least one year post-surgery. He does not want me to do anything except let the nerve heal. My next appointment is on May 12, just about 3 weeks before my surgery anniversary, so it will be interesting to hear his recommendations this time.

Best wishes to you in whatever you decide.

Sara