ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: archana on October 27, 2009, 09:33:22 am

Title: New member
Post by: archana on October 27, 2009, 09:33:22 am

Hello,

I am a new member to this group.  Diagnosed with a 3cm acoustic neuroma on right side.  Surgery scheduled at Oho State University Med Center on 10/29/09 (Translabyrinthine approach).  Planning to have BAHA implant at the same time as tumor removal.  Has anyone done that?

We have found this group to be very informative and useful.  Thanks in advance.

-Archana

Title: Re: New member
Post by: cyrmom2 on October 27, 2009, 09:52:41 am

Archana, who is you surgeon?  I had a translab 9 weeks ago at OSU/The James and had a great experience.  Good luck with the BAHA implant too!

Cyndi

Title: Re: New member
Post by: archana on October 27, 2009, 09:57:50 am

Hi Cyndi,

It is Dr. Dodson and he mentioned that he works with Dr. McGregor (Neurosugeon).

-Archana

Title: Re: New member
Post by: JerseyGirl2 on October 27, 2009, 10:47:43 am

Quote from: archana on October 27, 2009, 09:33:22 am

 Planning to have BAHA implant at the same time as tumor removal.  Has anyone done that?

Yes, I had my BAHA implant at the conclusion of my translab procedure. It's pretty standard at the place where I had my surgery, but you'll notice on this forum that many (most?) doctors prefer that their patients wait a few months between surgery and implant. Those who've waited have said that the implant as a stand-alone surgery is no big deal -- similar to a dental procedure. I certainly believe that's the case, but I was delighted to have the "two-in-one" surgery -- had absolutely no impact on my recovery process and I didn't have to go through a second "head invasion" -- even though it would have been very minor in comparison to the translab.

Best wishes with your surgery!

Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)

Title: Re: New member
Post by: Jim Scott on October 27, 2009, 03:27:46 pm

Hello - and welcome, Archana ~

Thanks for joining!  Our good thoughts and prayers will go with you on Thursday. 

I took the liberty of adding a bit to your entry on the famous 'AN Treatment Calendar'  http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d29/10/2009?authenticate=&display=M&style=B (http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d29/10/2009?authenticate=&display=M&style=B).  Of course, it's yours to change as you see fit.

Jim

Title: Re: New member
Post by: lawmama on October 27, 2009, 04:38:46 pm

Hi Archana,

I am fairly new to this board so I don't have the experience with this that other members do.  I just wanted to post to tell you that I will be thinking of you on Thursday and sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

Lyn

Title: Re: New member
Post by: leapyrtwins on October 27, 2009, 07:46:30 pm

Hi and welcome Archana -

combining AN surgery with BAHA surgery pretty much depends on the doc involved.  My neurotologist doesn't typically combine the surgeries - so I had retrosigmoid in 5/07 to remove my AN (about the size of yours) and BAHA surgery 9 months later in 3/08.  I would have had the BAHA implant earlier, but spent lots of months battling my insurance company for coverage.  Thankfully they paid for everything 100% in the end.

Although I originally was hesitant to have another surgery after my retrosigmoid, the BAHA surgery is absolutely nothing like AN surgery.  They don't open up your head - and it's a short outpatient surgery.  I even had mine done under local anesthesia.

Bottomline, if your doc combines the surgeries - great.  But if he doesn't, don't let that prevent you from getting the BAHA. 

I absolutely love my BAHA; IMO it's amazing!

Best,

Jan