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Where do I begin? A month or so ago, I visited a...
Where do I begin? A month or so ago, I visited a local Plastic Surgeon, here in Panama City, FL. I advised him my situation, provided him with my MRI, and he evaluated my face. He was not familiar with Synkinesis, and gave me a couple options. One being a Botox shot here and there, “OR” surgery. My condition is not that bad, you really cannot tell I have a problem (synkinesis) until I talk, laugh, smile, and sing, you know the important stuff. Any who, I cut him off mid-suggestion, and said, “No Surgery”. He said, he could give me a shot of Botox on the left corner of my mouth (the good side) so I would have a more symmetrical smile, but the rest he would play it by ear, or should I say sight. His staff needed to check with my insurance to see if Botox was covered, and I knew it was not, but I had already said to myself “thanks, but no thanks”. By the time I made it home, they left a message that my insurance would not cover, and I left it at that, did not respond. Yesterday, I made the five hours’ drive to Orlando to see Dr. Celia Santini, employed with Florida Hospital Center for Rehabilitation & Wellness. Dr. Santini offers a Facial Retraining Program, and I was impressed. I found her information on the Bells Palsy website.
Dr. Santini showed me techniques to do at home to help regain control of my face. I felt so comfortable with her; it was almost as if we were good friends. We did correspond back in forth for about a month before my visit, so as she stated, “I feel like I know you already”. After the techniques, we met up with a Nurse Practitioner named Diane, who administered eight doses of Botox. Before the Botox, she explained her credentials, she had the training three years ago, and told me about a colleague of hers who developed Bells Palsy, then Synkinesis, so the friend was her test dummy/guinea pig, and I guess I was somewhat of one too. (lol)
On a diagram of the human face, Diane marked exactly where she was injecting the Botox, and Dr. Santini suggested locations as well. Between the two of them, they came up with eight locations to inject the Botox. Unlike the Plastic Surgeon, he did not provide much of nothing, and did not make me feel at ease. I am not talking down about the Plastic Surgeon because he is good at what he does, but not for my issue, but anyway. All and all, I do not regret my trip because I was going regardless if I received Botox , and If I’d received a bad vibe, I would’ve had no problem with passing on the Botox. I cannot really say I am seeing much of a difference or if any at all, as I said earlier it was yesterday 06/16/2013. I will update results soon. My co-pay for the therapy was $45 and the Botox was $85.
Dr. Santini showed me techniques to do at home to help regain control of my face. I felt so comfortable with her; it was almost as if we were good friends. We did correspond back in forth for about a month before my visit, so as she stated, “I feel like I know you already”. After the techniques, we met up with a Nurse Practitioner named Diane, who administered eight doses of Botox. Before the Botox, she explained her credentials, she had the training three years ago, and told me about a colleague of hers who developed Bells Palsy, then Synkinesis, so the friend was her test dummy/guinea pig, and I guess I was somewhat of one too. (lol)
On a diagram of the human face, Diane marked exactly where she was injecting the Botox, and Dr. Santini suggested locations as well. Between the two of them, they came up with eight locations to inject the Botox. Unlike the Plastic Surgeon, he did not provide much of nothing, and did not make me feel at ease. I am not talking down about the Plastic Surgeon because he is good at what he does, but not for my issue, but anyway. All and all, I do not regret my trip because I was going regardless if I received Botox , and If I’d received a bad vibe, I would’ve had no problem with passing on the Botox. I cannot really say I am seeing much of a difference or if any at all, as I said earlier it was yesterday 06/16/2013. I will update results soon. My co-pay for the therapy was $45 and the Botox was $85.
Provider Review
Celia Santini
Dr. Celia Santini, (PhD). Very knowledgeable, helpful, and treated me like a friend instead of a patient.