My BAHA surgery was a piece of cake too

[leapyrtwins]

Duct tape!  What a novel concept, Lori!

Did you find that out in the garage - leftover from the last surgery?? 

j

[Debbi]

Well, at least duct tape comes in multiple colors now - you can accessorize properly!

Debbi

[lori67]

Well, I have the usual grey and some hot pink! 

We used to have red, but I guess we used that on the last patient!   

Lori

[wendysig]

Hi everyone,

Well, I went to Dr. Choe today and he removed my healing cap.  He was very happy with how I am healing and said the site looked great. and also gave me my healing cap back.  He said these things cost $80!  He loved my BAHA Recovery Kit but I did forget to tell him about our plans for the healing cap.  I wonder what he'd think about that.  I took a good look at everything when I got home and have to say it is very interesting to see.  I think I'm going to have Rob take a pictrure or two and post them in the next day or so.

Wendy

[kmancini]

I got my BAHA today.  I love it.  At first I didn't know if I like it or not.  When I got home I could talk on the phone and hear the tv at the same time without it driving me nuts.  I have the Intenso.  My doctor always goes with that no matter what.  She says it is more powerful.  You can always turn it down but you can't turn the other one up higher than the Intenso.  It is small enough that you can't see it and I have short hair.  It is guarenteed for 2 years but she suggested that I take the maintence that they offer after that.  I keep forgeting it is back there.  So far it was worth it.

Karen

[lori67]

Karen,

Happy BAHA day!  The best part is being able to turn it off when you want to!  (I have kids, can you tell?).

Wendy,

I don't know why you had to go to the doctor to have the healing cap removed - you seem to be getting pretty good at removing it yourself!     Probably best that you didn't tell him about our little healing cap money making scheme - he might want to get in on it! 

Lori

[wendysig]

Karen,
Congratulations on your BAHA Day-- how really exciting!  You sound like another satisfied customer!!!

Lori -- I did tell Dr. Choe about the idea of goldplating or painting the healing cap.  He advised me not to do that just yet and to keep it handy just in case.  I suddenly realized that on the off chance (very small chance) that I need the revision surgery, he would need the healing cap again.  I'm pretty confident this won't happen though.  It looks good to me and he said it looks great.  My next door neighbor is a nurse and took a look at it today.  She said she thought it was healing beautifully too.  I'll keep my healing cap handy and clean, but I'd be amazed if I ever need it for medical purposes again.

Wendy

[Dawn]

Karen,

Congratulations on your BAHA...it is nice to hear that there is hope for others of us out there who are just starting our journey in the AN world..

Good luck with your new BAHA

Dawn

[leapyrtwins]

Karen -

I remember my BAHA day - it was amazing!  Congratulations to you and happy hearing!! 

Wendy -

is the healing cap that little round, white, plastic piece?  If so, I can't believe it cost $80.  The day my doc removed mine, it shot across the room and ended up under a chair.  He promptly picked it up and threw it in the trash.  So much for the $80 

Glad everything looks good and is healing well.  Gold star for you    Also, glad that Dr. Choe liked the BAHA Recovery Kit - I wonder what he'd think of Lori's and my potential garage surgery business LOL

What's this about possible revision surgery?  I must have missed something somewhere along the line.  Explain, please.

Jan 

[wendysig]

Hi Jan,
Yep - the healing cap is the white plactic disc that's placed over your abutment after surgery.  Amazing that this thing costs $80!  My deductible for the surgery was only $75.  From what I understand from the articles I've read, it  doesn't happen often but sometimes the implant will be rejected or the skin will over-grow the abutment and you need revision surgery, in which case you would need your healing cap again.   Actually, Dr. Battista wrote one of the articles I read.  Very interesting stuff. 

Wendy
P.S.  I told him about the garage business, but didn't mention surgery -- he might have thought I was losing it!   Exactly what type of surgery do you have in mind for your garage clinic anyway?  I'm sure if Lori has her way you'll be using lots of colorful duct tape on yoru patients! LOL

[Kaybo]

Wendy~
As far as I know, we can do anything...we have saws AND power tools!   

K

[leapyrtwins]

Wendy -

I didn't know that rejection was an option, but prior to my BAHA surgery I talked to someone who had an issue with the skin around the site healing.  They actually had to do a skin graft from his upper arm or maybe his leg - I'm kind of unclear on the specifics.  I guess that doesn't happen often, but it can happen.

I missed Dr. Battista's article, if you come across it again, please email it to me; I'd be interested in reading it.

So if your $75 went towards the healing cap, what did the other $5 pay for?     It's unbelievable that those things cost that much - they're probably only a few bucks to manufacture.  Maybe we should put the garage surgery business on hold and buy caps to resell and we'd make a fortune 

Jan

[JerseyGirl2]

I think, but am certainly not positive, that the skin-gowing-over-the-abutment problem is more prevalent among children who have BAHAs than adults. I have met one man who originally had a "short" abutment and had to have it replaced with a longer one because of that problem. He's doing fine with the new abutment. I was relieved when he looked at mine and said I had the longer abutment -- I frankly hadn't given it much thought.

Catherine (JerseyGirl2)

[lori67]

I knew a girl growing up who left her earrings in for so long that the skin actually grew over the back of them.  Maybe if you don't use or maintain the abuttment the skin can grow over it?  Who knows.  Let's hope none of us ever have to find out.

I can't believe it's $80 for that little thing.  It just looks like a little foam washer with plastic in the middle.  I think we've got some craft foam in the garage, and I know I've got saran wrap - so I think we can duplicate them and charge, say...$79.99...

Jan, I think the other $5 of Wendy's went to buy the doctor a latte at Starbucks.

Lori

[wendysig]

Lori and Catherine,,
I think you're right about that happening if you don't take care of the abutment.  Dr. Choe also told me this is usually more of a problem for big  men because they have thicker scalps than women do, I'm not sure about children though, I really didn't read anything about that.  I remember one of the articles I read saying something about in cases where there is a  problem with the skin around the site healing would be another reason for revision surgery.  I know from reading the articles I did,  all of these things are NOT usual, just a small possibility.

Jan -- I'll look for the article Dr. Battista wrote and send it to you.  Recycling healing caps is a very interesting idea.  I guess if we bought them cheap enough, we could sell them at half price and still make a bundle.     As for the garage surgery, since Lori is a nurse and  I am a former emergency medical technician (I did this when I was in my 20's but having two active kids has given me plenty of oportunity toi renew many of my skills.  My own klutzyness and recent surgeries have given me some practice too) and whatever skills you and K have could make this interesting.   

Wendy