Facial Artery Ligation

Almost 20 years ago, I had a nurse inject filler into my nasolabial folds (lines between nose and mouth) as I felt they aged me, specially after losing weight in my face. She went too deep and hit the facial artery, causing a visible pulse in my face. I went back but received no help and later went to a vein specialist who managed to make the problem even worse. It seemed I was stuck with this 'moving bump' at the side of my mouth forever, and I got used to it, but obviously never liked it. I have to add that no one ever commented on it- my friends could see what I meant when I pointed it out but had never noticed it- it was purely something that bothered me.

A year ago, I thought I'd have a look on the internet to see if there was anyone else out there who had a visible pulse on their face. To my surprise, someone had written to realself 10 years previously about having the same problem. I was shocked and happy that I wasn't alone. Then shortly afterwards, my greatest shock came when I saw a photo of someone with the same problem, being operated on by a surgeon called Dr Eppley.

I couldn't believe there was someone out there who knew what it was and could get rid of it. He said it was a false aneurysm- a round bulge in the artery that occurred after damage to the blood vessel wall. Dr Eppley had performed many procedures to reduce prominent temporal arteries and a handful of procedures where he had ligated the facial artery, which is far rarer. I was really happy but had some doubts about travelling to America to have it done. Finally, I took the plunge and arranged it. I spoke to Dr Eppley online and had the impression that he was very knowledgeable and experienced and that put me at ease but I have to admit, I was nervous about it. There was no need. As soon as I met him in person, I felt reassured and calm and he explained what he was doing throughout and was very kind. It didn't take long, and I could hardly believe my ears when he said he'd got it. I think he used a Doppler ultrasound before he started to hear the beating of the pulse and it was very loud! At the end, he did it again and there was no sound at all- it was gone!!!

The whole procedure was over really quickly and I just felt this sense of intense joy that something that had cause me so much anxiety over the years, had finally gone. I gave Dr Eppley a hug and was on my way back to the hotel. When I looked in the mirror at the flesh-coloured plaster which was still- there was no movement whatsoever. For quite a while afterwards, I was still surprised to look in the mirror and not see a visible pulse. Even now, it blows my mind to know that it's gone.

Dr Eppley has a brilliant mind and he performs procedures that other people won't do and thank God, there is someone out there who will do that.
He's changed my life and I don't know how much yet but I am very grateful to him.
My experience of him was of someone who knows what he's doing who you can trust.

I'm really happy I did.