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Video Q&A With Dr. Aguila

We are happy to answer questions that help patients better understand treatment options and alternatives. 

Below are common questions, and answers, from our patients who we’ve helped on these journeys to full health.

5 Years of Intense Face Pain After Shingles: How Nerve Surgery with Dr. Aguila Saved Gretchen
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5 Years of Intense Face Pain After Shingles: How Nerve Surgery with Dr. Aguila Saved Gretchen

Gretchen lived in agony for nearly 5 years after a severe case of shingles left her with Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN). Her face constantly burned, itched, and felt raw, especially around her eye, nose, and chin. Even after a misdiagnosed root canal and multiple failed treatments, nothing eased her pain. That’s when she found Dr. Demetrio Aguila, a renowned pain-focused peripheral nerve surgeon specializing in treating Postherpetic Neuralgia patients. Dr. Aguila performed a complex surgery to disconnect multiple nerves responsible for Gretchen’s pain, including the supratrochlear, supraorbital, infratrochlear, lateral nasal branch of the anterior ethmoid nerve, and infraorbital nerve. Each nerve was carefully implanted into the muscle to prevent future pain flare-ups. Today, Gretchen is finally free from the burning, relentless facial pain that once controlled her life. ➡️ Watch her powerful story and discover how this rare but life-changing surgery gives hope to PHN patients worldwide. Only a handful of surgeons globally perform this kind of targeted nerve surgery—Dr. Aguila is leading the way. #PostherpeticNeuralgia, #PHNRecovery, #ShinglesPainRelief, #FacialNervePain, #NerveSurgery, #ChronicPainRelief, #DrDemetrioAguila, #PeripheralNerveSurgery, #InfraorbitalNerve, #BurningFacePain, #ShinglesAftermath, #PHNTreatment, #NeuropathicPain, #HopeForHealing, #nervepainawareness My name is Gretchen Miller Carpenter. I'm from Marysville, Washington. I came to this clinic like so many other patients suffering from post-herpetic neuralgia on my face. When I developed shingles, I was out running with my husband and suddenly felt an itch by the side of my nose. I thought, "What is this?" Then my tooth started to hurt, so I went to the dentist. He couldn’t find anything wrong, but we decided to do a root canal just in case. Soon after, my face swelled up and I broke out in sores. I was misdiagnosed at the hospital and ended up having a terrible case of shingles. The sores eventually healed, but the pain never went away. It’s now been almost five years, and the pain has been constant. It felt like my face was burning, as if someone were scrubbing it with a Brillo pad. The pain came with itching and was concentrated all around my eye, up into my hairline, and down to my chin. The nerves involved included the supratrochlear nerve, supraorbital nerve, infratrochlear nerve, lateral nasal branch of the anterior ethmoid nerve, and the infraorbital nerve. That’s a lot of nerves to deal with. We made an incision starting at the side of my nose, going all the way down along the inside of my nose, and across my cheek. The surgeon had to carefully peel back part of my face to access the infraorbital nerve and dissect out the branches of the lateral nasal nerve. It was delicate and complex work. I'll probably remain numb in some areas—but numbness is better than the pain I had before. I already know it’s an improvement. I’m doing significantly better now. From the surgeon’s perspective, it was a very satisfying operation. They were able to clearly identify and target the nerves responsible for my pain. Once they found them, they disconnected those nerves and implanted them into surrounding muscle tissue to help prevent the pain from returning in the future. We’re excited to share this with everyone because it represents real progress. There may be no more than half a dozen surgeons in the world currently performing this kind of operation to treat post-herpetic neuralgia. It’s exciting to be part of advancing these techniques and generating interest among other physicians and surgeons. Hopefully, more doctors will learn how to perform these operations and help patients like me who have been suffering for years.
Life-Changing Groin Pain & Meralgia Paresthetica Relief
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Life-Changing Groin Pain & Meralgia Paresthetica Relief

Struggling with severe groin or thigh pain? Watch Laroy’s powerful story of how he found lasting relief from Meralgia Paresthetica and debilitating groin pain after years of suffering. After seeing multiple doctors with no solution, he found hope with Dr. Demetrio Aguila at Total Pain Solutions by Healing Hands of Nebraska. In this video, Laroy shares how nerve decompression and targeted nerve surgery changed his life, helping him return to the outdoor lifestyle he loves. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:16 Living with Meralgia Paresthetica 1:00 Multiple Misdiagnoses & Frustration 1:25 Finding Dr. Aguila 2:00 Diagnosis & Surgical Explanation 3:00 Surgery Experience & Recovery 4:00 Life After Nerve Surgery If you’re battling chronic nerve pain and feel like you’ve run out of options, this could be the breakthrough you’ve been looking for. Learn more or schedule a consultation: 🌐 https://www.totalpainsolutions.net/ 📞 1-402-370-9515 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this video to support others looking for nerve pain relief! Hashtags: #GroinPainRelief #MeralgiaParesthetica #NervePainTreatment #ChronicPainRelief #HealingHandsOfNebraska #DrAguila #PeripheralNerveSurgery #TotalPainSolutions #PatientTestimonial #NeuropathyRecovery Laroy Dowd– Post Falls, Idaho: I was diagnosed with meralgia paresthetica about three years ago. At one point, the pain in my left leg was so severe that I actually understood why doctors ask, “Are you considering suicide?” Not that I ever was, but I got it—I truly understood. The pain was so bad, I just wanted my leg cut off. Mentally, I was starting to feel really depressed. I love to hunt and hike, but this condition has limited me a lot. I saw around seven doctors in North Idaho and one at the University of Washington in Seattle. None of them were explicitly focused on peripheral nerve issues. That was incredibly frustrating. I thought I was never going to find anybody who could help. Eventually, I resigned myself to the idea that I might have to live with this pain for the rest of my life. Then I found Dr. Aguila online. I flew out here a couple of months ago for my first visit. Dr. Aguila: From what you’re describing, it sounds like your pain is coming from two major nerves that innervate the groin, but not the genitals. Those nerves are the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves. It also sounds like you have a condition called meralgia paresthetica, which is a lateral femoral cutaneous nerve compression. That’s the nerve responsible for sensation in the front and side of the thigh. For groin pain, we often disconnect the affected nerves. This results in numbness in the area, but it does not affect the genitals. Most patients are relieved to hear that. However, it does mean that there will be some numbness in the lower abdomen. Dr. Aguila (continued): When I got into surgery, I saw that the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which in Laroy’s case was causing the thigh numbness and pain, did not look normal. It was significantly enlarged and appeared injured. In situations like that, decompression alone tends to have a lower success rate, so we opted to disconnect the nerves. Laroy Dow: And I’m very grateful to say—I’m pain-free. If you're dealing with specific nerve pain, I’d recommend contacting Dr. Aguila. The other doctors I saw weren’t specialized enough. They were more generalized, like neurosurgeons, and they didn’t have the focus. Dr. Aguila was incredible from day one. He's that specific. He’s an expert. You can feel better—I believe that now. It’s been two days since my surgery, and I feel really positive. We walked for a few hours yesterday, and I didn’t have that burning, tingling, charley-horse sensation. It feels like it’s never coming back. At my post-op visit, Dr. Aguila came in smiling. He was excited—and so was I. I'm looking forward to getting back to my life.
Postherpetic Neuralgia from Shingles – How Dr. Aguila Helped Me Get My Life Back
02:31

Postherpetic Neuralgia from Shingles – How Dr. Aguila Helped Me Get My Life Back

After a painful battle with shingles, Dwayne developed Postherpetic Neuralgia—a chronic nerve pain condition that made everyday life unbearable. Sleepless nights, irritability, and constant discomfort became his new regular. But everything changed when he discovered Dr. Demetrio Aguila, a renowned peripheral nerve surgeon. After watching testimonials online, Dwayne went to see Dr. Aguila and left pain-free. In this inspiring story, Dwayne shares how a nerve block injection helped diagnose the pain source and how a minimally invasive nerve surgery offered lasting relief from Postherpetic Neuralgia. Watch to learn: What postherpetic neuralgia feels like How shingles can lead to chronic nerve pain How Dr. Aguila treats nerve pain with innovative techniques 💬 If you or someone you love is dealing with nerve pain after shingles, this video could be a turning point. 🔔 Subscribe for more real stories and breakthrough treatments from Dr. Aguila’s clinic. 🏷️ Hashtags: #PatientTestimonial #NervePainRelief #LifeChangingSurgery #PainFreeLiving #ChronicPainSolution #MedicalStory #RealResults #HealthTransformation #NeuropathyRelief #painmanagement From Sleepless Nights to Pain-Free Days: Dwayne's Journey Through Postherpetic Neuralgia Relief Life After Shingles: A Daily Struggle For Dwayne Dennis of Albuquerque, New Mexico, life after shingles was anything but normal. What started as a viral infection quickly turned into postherpetic neuralgia—a form of chronic nerve pain that lingered long after the shingles rash had disappeared. “In the beginning, it was every day, every night,” Dwayne recalls. “It was difficult to sleep. It was a nightmare.” The pain didn’t just affect his nights—it took a toll on his personality and his relationships. “I felt bad for her… and noticed my temperament wasn’t what it should be. I was short-tempered.” Searching for a Real Solution Like many suffering from chronic nerve pain, Dwayne tried everything he could think of. But real answers seemed elusive—until he found Dr. Demetrio Aguila on YouTube. “I was looking everywhere, but I found him on YouTube. I looked at the testimonials there and then made an appointment.” Dwayne's discovery of Dr. Aguila, a leading peripheral nerve surgeon known for innovative treatment approaches, was life-changing. The Breakthrough: Targeting the Nerves Dr. Aguila suggested starting with a diagnostic nerve block injection. This temporary treatment would help determine whether the affected nerves were responsible for Dwayne’s pain. “What I suggested to him was that we do an injection to turn off the affected nerves temporarily and see if that took care of his pain,” Dr. Aguila explains. “If it worked, then theoretically, we could turn those nerves off permanently with surgery by disconnecting them.” One Trip, Total Relief The test injection worked. Dwayne’s pain subsided, confirming the diagnosis. Best of all, the team handled everything in one visit. “We were able to take care of everything all in one trip, and he’s doing much better,” said Dr. Aguila. “His pain is gone—no issues whatsoever.” For Dwayne, the experience exceeded expectations. “They answered all my questions, making me feel warm and fuzzy. I didn’t have pain during the procedure, even though I was awake,” he said. “Oh yeah—this is the only solution. Great doctor, too.” Living Pain-Free Again Dwayne’s story is one of hope and healing. His message is clear for those suffering from nerve pain due to shingles: relief is possible, with the proper care. If you're struggling with postherpetic neuralgia, chronic pain, or neuropathy, Dr. Aguila's approach could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for. 💬 Interested in learning more? Visit Dr. Demetrio Aguila’s clinic website or schedule a consultation to explore your minimally invasive nerve pain treatment options.
Life After Shingles: Connie’s Remarkable Recovery from Postherpetic Neuralgia
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Life After Shingles: Connie’s Remarkable Recovery from Postherpetic Neuralgia

From Isolation to Hope: Connie’s Journey with Postherpetic Neuralgia Relief Connie lived with unbearable pain from Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN) after a shingles outbreak — a condition that left her feeling hopeless. She tried everything, but nothing worked… until she found Dr. Demetrio J. Aguila III. 🎥 Healing After Years of Pain | Connie’s Postherpetic Neuralgia Recovery Journey 📌 Description: After suffering for 4 years with excruciating postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), Connie traveled from Utah in search of real relief. Mocked by doctors and left in chronic pain, she found hope and healing through a specialized nerve surgery. Today, she’s pain-free, reconnecting with life, grandkids, and even considering a part-time job. This is her story. 🧠 What is Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)? Postherpetic neuralgia is a nerve condition that can result after a shingles outbreak. It causes severe, long-term pain in the affected area. In the U.S. alone, up to 200,000 new cases are seen annually. 👩‍⚕️ Connie’s Story: ✔️ Suffered 4 years with debilitating PHN ✔️ Struggled to find doctors who believed her pain ✔️ Traveled to seek help and underwent targeted nerve injections ✔️ Surgery successfully eliminated her pain ✔️ Now enjoying life and time with her grandkids again 🔬 The Treatment Process: ✅ Diagnostic nerve blocks to identify affected intercostal nerves ✅ Surgery to disconnect the sensory nerves responsible for chronic pain ✅ Full pain relief achieved post-surgery 💬 Connie’s Words: "It's opened a whole new world for me... I feel like I'm alive." "He hoped for 80%, but we got 100%. I'm on the winning team!" 🙏 A Note from Dr. Aguila: “We’re thankful we had the opportunity to help Connie after everything she’s been through. It’s stories like hers that remind us why this work matters.” 📞 Ready to Get Your Life Back? If you or someone you love is suffering from postherpetic neuralgia or chronic nerve pain, call Dr. Aguila and discover if this life-changing treatment is right for you. 🔖 Hashtags: #PHNRelief #PostherpeticNeuralgia #ShinglesPain #DrAguila #ChronicPainRecovery #PatientStory #NerveSurgery #HealingAfterShingles #MedicalHope #GetYourLifeBack
Postherpetic Neuralgia Surgical Relief - Amy's Story
03:07

Postherpetic Neuralgia Surgical Relief - Amy's Story

Understanding Postherpetic Neuralgia and Amy’s Journey to Relief What is Postherpetic Neuralgia? Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic pain condition that can occur after a shingles infection. Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, affects nerve roots, sometimes leading to long-lasting nerve damage even after the rash has healed. The virus often resides near the spinal cord or brain, and in some cases, like Amy Aldrich’s, it can result in relentless facial pain. Amy, a resident of Sarasota, Florida, developed severe PHN following a shingles outbreak. The pain was so intense that it disrupted her daily life, leaving her bedridden and in tears, struggling to imagine a future without suffering. Despite consulting ten different doctors, none could fully relieve her pain. Some attempted treatments with limited success, while others told her that there was nothing more they could do. This is a common struggle for PHN patients, as traditional medical approaches often assume that pain originating near the brain cannot be effectively treated. The Science Behind Peripheral Nerve Surgery for PHN While PHN is notoriously difficult to treat, advancements in peripheral nerve surgery have provided new hope for patients. The peripheral nervous system comprises nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord, which relay signals throughout the body. If a damaged nerve continues to send pain signals despite no longer serving a functional purpose, surgical intervention can sometimes disrupt these signals and provide relief. Seeking relief, Amy turned to Dr. Demetrio Aguila, a specialist in the surgical treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. Using ultrasound imaging, Dr. Aguila examined Amy’s forehead and discovered something unusual: a small nerve was pressed against the bone in an area where it is not typically located. He tested his theory by injecting the area with a local anesthetic, and almost immediately, Amy’s symptoms disappeared. This was a crucial diagnostic step, confirming that the remaining pain originated from additional, previously hidden nerves. The Surgical Solution Dr. Aguila then performed a second procedure to address the remaining nerves. He carefully dissected through the periosteum, the connective tissue covering the bone, and identified two additional nerves contributing to Amy’s pain. He also treated her infratrochlear nerve, located near her eye. By selectively disconnecting these problematic nerves, he was able to stop the persistent pain signals at their source. The Outcome: A Pain-Free Life The results were life-changing. Just one day after surgery, Amy was already feeling significantly better. Despite the expected post-surgical recovery, she reported that her chronic pain was gone entirely. No longer needing to plan her life around pain, she expressed immense gratitude for the freedom to return to her usual activities. Dr. Aguila’s expertise has transformed the lives of hundreds of patients suffering from chronic nerve pain, demonstrating that even conditions once thought untreatable can sometimes be resolved with the right approach. His work emphasizes the importance of precise diagnosis, innovative surgical techniques, and the role of the peripheral nervous system in managing chronic pain. Amy’s story serves as both an inspiration and an educational insight into the evolving field of nerve surgery. For those suffering from PHN or other chronic nerve conditions, her experience offers hope that solutions may exist beyond conventional treatments. Watch Amy’s full story to learn more about this groundbreaking procedure and its potential to change lives.
Postherpetic Neuralgia Pain Relief with Nerve Surgery
04:23

Postherpetic Neuralgia Pain Relief with Nerve Surgery

After 6 Years of Unbearable Pain, Kathy Found Relief from Postherpetic Neuralgia – Here's How For six long years, Kathy Lewis from Vancouver, British Columbia, endured the relentless pain of postherpetic neuralgia following a bout with shingles. Her life became a cycle of severe, sharp pain that left her unable to go out, meet friends, or even get out of bed. Traditional treatments failed, and she felt isolated as others didn’t fully understand the extent of her suffering. But everything changed when Kathy discovered Dr. Demetrio Aguila, one of the few surgeons in the world who specializes in pain-focused peripheral nerve surgery. This groundbreaking treatment offered her hope and a way out of the constant pain. In this video, Kathy opens up about her journey, from the overwhelming pain that controlled her life to finding a solution with Dr. Aguila's innovative approach. She shares her experience of traveling to Omaha, Nebraska, for the surgery, and how it’s already giving her the chance to live pain-free again. If you’ve been struggling with postherpetic neuralgia and feel like you’ve tried everything, this video could be the answer you've been waiting for. Dr. Aguila and his team provide personalized care and cutting-edge solutions for those who have suffered for years. Watch Kathy’s story, and if you’re ready to take the next step toward pain relief, reach out to Dr. Aguila’s team. It’s time to reclaim your life from the grip of chronic pain. My name is Kathy Lewis, and I'm from Vancouver, British Columbia. Like so many other patients we've seen, I came to see Dr. Aguila from Canada. I have post-herpetic neuralgia, which is chronic pain following shingles. The pain was unbearable—so unbearable, in fact, that I reached a point where it became embarrassing. I would be in stores and suddenly experience a sharp pain. At times, I would have to leave and go home. I was in bed for five weeks, screaming in pain. I don't think my husband fully understood the extent of the pain or how extreme it was. It was tough because I would make plans with people, and then I would have a bad day and have to cancel. There were two main issues I faced: first, people didn't know what to do to help, and second, many of them didn't take my concerns seriously. My doctor wasn't much help either. I went to another doctor who gave me ointment and said that was all he could do. Then I came across Dr. Aguila. She convinced me that her treatment had worked well for others, and she encouraged me to give it a try. When I did, I told the doctor, "I’ll take this treatment any day over the pain I came in with." We went to the operating room, where several sensory nerves were removed—nerves responsible for sensation, not movement. As a result, there has been no muscle weakness. I hope this will help me return to being a happy person again. The treatment has been excellent, and I felt extremely well cared for by everyone, including the surgical team and the office staff. They made me feel comfortable and at ease, which is so important when you're dealing with pain. I recommend anyone suffering from this contact Dr. Aguila's team to see if there’s help for them. It felt like there was no end to my suffering until I found out about Dr. Aguila and the treatment available. In a recent follow-up, Kathy told me she experienced significant relief. The lower two-thirds of the area where she had pain is now completely pain-free. However, she still has some pain in the upper third of the affected area. So far, we’ve achieved partial relief in that section, and some areas are improving. There are still some parts that need to be addressed, but I’m confident we’ll be able to target the remaining nerves causing her pain and provide her with the complete relief she’s looking for.

How can the Dr. Aguila team help you?

Demetrio J. Aguila III, MD, FACS is a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, as well as the American Board of Otolaryngology. 
Our team at Total Pain Solutions can help patients suffering from unexplained nerve pain or other chronic pain. We urge everyone to not ignore symptoms when solutions may be possible. Take the first step to feeling better, come and see us about solutions for chronic pain, allergies, and reconstructive surgery.

Call us at 1-402-370-9515 or fill out the form on this page to set up a consultation to determine your best options.

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Total Pain Solutions

New Location

701 Pinnacle Drive Suite 107 Papillion, NE 68046

+1-402-370-9515 | Phone


+1-402-227-8245 | FAX
info@totalpainsolutions.net

West Holt Medical Office

West Holt Medical Services

406 West Neely Street, Atkinson, NE 68713

(402) 925-2811 

www.westholtmed.org

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Practice Hours

Mon-Thur: 8am-3pm

Friday: 8am-2pm

Saturday & Sunday: closed 

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