Info on a doctor.....

Ok guys I need some info on a doctor in the Oakbrook, IL area. I thought maybe Cindy, Eric or possibly Roger had heard anything on this clinic or doctor they would be able to pass the information along to me. My wife (Jean) is going to go and see him on Friday for some consultation on reconstructive surgery for her chronic Bell's Palsey (she has had this for 20 years now and it causes paralasys of the left side of her face). Some of the residual effects of it is a drooping of the left side of her face, loss of feeling on that side of her face and mouth, constant watering of her left eye and other minor issues. The procedure includes transplanting a nerve from her leg into the lower mandible and possibly some muscle grafting as well as it has been ongoing so long now. The name of the clinic is the Loyola Aesthetic Center at Oakbrook Terrace and the doctor's name is Dr. Vandeventer (sp?). He is affiliated with Loyola University. Any information would be helpful.

We will be in the Chicago area on Friday for the appointment but will only be staying there on Thursday night as we have a date on Friday evening with some friends. We hope to hold off on any surgery until summer break when I can better afford a hotel and Jean is off of work.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Jack aka Wraith

 

Word of advice from retired pooty-meister: Please get 2 or 3 2nd opinions from plastic surgeons in your area who are board certified before you commit.

There USED to be nothing to be done for a Bell's Palsy. Over the years, they have done much research into nerve-grafting, but be sure you check it out thoroughly first, because it could be worse after, than before.

Just my $.02

Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

Even though I'm an old Chicago boy, I don't know the doctor. (Far too many of them up there for anybody to know them all) But Loyola has a first rate university medical program, and their centers are excellent.

Dr. Vandevender's credentials are first rate, and he's a professor, not just a sawbones, which is a plus.
http://www.lumc.edu/templates/luhs/physearch/primary_lastname_results.cfm?seq_cntr=2264

You can spend some time here checking him out.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=%22Darl+Vandevender%2C+M.D.%22&btnG=Search

How did you get hooked up with him? If your doctor recommended him spedifically, he may be familiar with his work, which is likely the best recommendation you're likely to get.