There was an interesting story on our Australian TV last night. The show was on Catalyst which is on the ABC (Aust. Broadcasting Corporation) about a young man with generalized dystonia. The footage of him before and after was just amazing. He can now ride a bike and kick a football and even walk long distances. Before that he was having a very difficult time indeed just doing anything. In this story there was a time lapse after the actual surgery before the stimulator was switched on. I think this was one of the first actual cases of using DBS for a patient with Dystonia in Australia. I'm aware that the US is a long way more advanced, but still thought this article might be of benefit.

Catalyst > Stories > Deep Brain Stimulation
This is just the transcript...
Deep Brain Stimulation
Reporter: Dr Maryanne demasi
8 March 2007
http://www.bananasinpyjamas.com/cata...s/s1864329.htm

There is also the Dystonia Foundation site which might have articles in it that can answer your concerns as well.
http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/

e.g. http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/p.../221.php?id=14

From the Dystonia Dialogue: Deep Brain Stimulation for Dystonia

By Jawad A. Bajwa, MD, Benjamin L. Walter, MD, and Jerrold L. Vitek, MD, PhD
Neuroscience Institute, Cleveland Clinic

topics covered include these below (there are more) ....

What is DBS?
What Types of Dystonia Can DBS Improve?
Which Patients Are Eligible & What Is the Selection Process?
What Should One Expect Before & After Surgery?