Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the ventrolateral thalamus (VIM) is shown to reduce tremor in essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Our aim was to evaluate the results of VIM DBS from the patients' perspective. Sixteen consecutively included patients (8 ET and 8 PD) described their own outcome goals preoperatively and evaluated the fulfillment 1, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. We conclude that the patients could do specific activities that are of importance to them such as eating, drinking and socializing, and perceived either partial or total fulfillment of their goals.