Hemifacial spasm

I am 65 and had the MVD operation last October. My face is still twitching a bit and spasming a bit on the left-hand side but the consultant said it can take up to a year for the nerve to settle down so I am having to be patient. The statistics are that a third of patients wake up from the op spasm-free, a third find they go within three months and the other third have to wait longer. I have had the condition for nearly 8 years and, like you, didn't want to have Botox for the rest of my life, so decided to have the operation.

The surgeon with the best track record seems to be Nik Patel in Bristol. His reputation is spreading fast and he is now in great demand. I expect there are others as well but you would have to do some research. There is a very helpful, knowledgeable and supportive HFS group on Facebook which you might consider joining. Good luck! Sally

There are many of us who totally understand how HFS makes you feel and how it alters your confidence and sociability.  I was 62 when I had successful surgery with Nik Patel in Bristol.  He does this surgery very regularly and has good success rates (in excess of 80% cured and another 10% who see some improvement).  He also really understands HFS and knows how emotionally blunting it can be.  You have to understand that there are risks to all surgery but Nik seems to have minimal instances of deafness (one of the biggest risks).  The recovery period is different for everyone but most people feel pretty good after about 6 weeks and back to full strength after 3 months.  The first 2-3 weeks are quite debilitating.  Please private message me if you need any further information.  I am of course supposing that you are in the UK when I write all of this!  All the best to you, Angela