Mr Raman Malhotra 2015-02-05 Person 5 5 0

Going From Gold to Platinum! It is now 8 years since I started on my journey with facial palsy. It was in December of 2006 that my brain tumour was discovered and diagnosed originally as an acoustic neuroma. Following removal of the tumour in June 2007 via surgery the tumour was found to be a facial neuroma. As a result I lost the facial and acoustic nerves on the left side and had damage to vestibular nerve. I was left with facial paralysis on the left side, single sided deafness and vestibular weakness. I was lucky enough to receive reconstructive surgery 4 months later and received a hypoglossal anastomosis and a gold weight placement in my left eyelid, together with a tarsorrraphy. With all the amazing work now completed by the surgeons, it was now up to me to work hard to get my face functioning again as best as possible. One of the benefits was immediate from day one though and that was being able to close my eye again for the first time in months, a great relief. Initially I rested and saw out 2007 and entered 2008 requesting physiotherapy, speech therapy, CBT and investigated hearing aid possibilities. It took a long time to get all these in place. My physiotherapy was a key part to my rehabilitation and my function gradually improved and still does to this day with 20 minutes spent on the face at least 5 days a week. It was through my physiotherapy request that I was introduced, to Charles Nduka, Vanessa Venables, Catriona Neville and later Raman Malhotra at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead. With their help and guidance I have received further treatment with botox therapy and most recently underwent further eye surgery during which I had the Gold weight changed to Platinum Segments. The gold weight, whilst functional was quite big and very lumpy, I was often asked if I had a sting or huge sty on my eyelid and would often take to wearing sunglasses to hide it whenever possible. The weight had moved slightly creating an uneven weight balance over the lid and this was uncomfortable. The eye also appeared much more open that my normal eye. This was particularly apparent in photographs, which I avoided if at all possible. When I was offered the chance to change from the gold weight the platinum segments, I was over the moon. I had the surgery in April last year. Mr Malhotra spent some time on the surgery and not only implanted the new platinum segments but reversed the tarsorraphy, did a lower eyelid retractor recession, lateral horn release and a transcaruncular MCT suture sling. All above and beyond the brief but then that’s what they do at QVH! Needless to say I didn’t look my best afterwards but the eye healed very well over the next two months, the only problem I encountered was a little blocked duct on the lower lid but this was treated quickly and soon my eye was unrecognizable , looking far more natural and in keeping with my right eye. The left eye feels so comfortable now and the eyelid is flat and natural looking with no lump. In fact you cannot tell I have implants in the eyelid at all. The eye closes better and the weight distributed evenly along the lid. I do my physiotherapy daily getting members of the family to tell me if the eye is closed or not, it is getting stronger all the time. My self -esteem is much greater now, I am not so self-conscious and no longer grab my glasses to hide behind. You never know I may face a camera soon! ;) I am so grateful to Raman Malhotra and all the team at East Grinstead for the difference they have made to my daily life and living with Facial Palsy. Being given back the function that we so often take for granted is priceless. The visual improvement helps us face the world again and not feel so conspicuous.Thank You All So Very Much.