ANA Discussion Forum

General Category => Hearing Issues => Topic started by: another NY postie on October 18, 2010, 01:25:03 pm

Title: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: another NY postie on October 18, 2010, 01:25:03 pm
Had my Baha surgery this morning...surgery at 9 am and out on the street at 11:30!  :D I do not know what I was so afraid of...Jan was right...piece of cake!  I had twilight sedation so I was in and out of waking up and chatting (I told my surgeon I was awake for the whole thing and he told me that I was snoring. lol ::)  I came out to my husband/recovery, smiling, with my hair down covering up my site so it looked like I didn't even have surgery.  I did hear the drilling a bit but it didn't seem bad at all...much worse in the dentist's office.  We went out to lunch after and then home.  It is starting to ache just a bit..so far no need for any drugs...so for those of you that are nervous like I was...it is SO not brain surgery.

My surgeon also does not use a bandage/headwrap anymore.  He places a plastic disc over it...I think it kinda looks like a plastic shell...it will remain there until my post op next week...he also gave my husband my Baha with instructions to hide it from me.  My husband told me he will wrap it up and give it to me for xmas ::)

Cheryl

(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad312/ccamroberto/paddleboarding/baha/P1020430-1.jpg)

that beige thing the plastic covering
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: Kencutus on October 18, 2010, 01:31:17 pm
Congratulation on the surgery!  Good to hear it went like a piece of cake.   ;)
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: Jim Scott on October 18, 2010, 01:46:40 pm
Cheryl ~

Congratulations!  Thanks for the encouraging account of your relatively easy BAHA implant procedure.  Better hearing will your real Christmas present.  :)

Jim
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: Lizard on October 18, 2010, 02:06:06 pm
Congrats thanks for the picture
Liz
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: Kaybo on October 18, 2010, 02:30:40 pm
YIPEEEEE!!!

K   ;D
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: lori67 on October 18, 2010, 06:38:51 pm
Yay! 

Somehow, when someone tells you they're going to put a screw in your skull, you automatically think it's going to be a horrible, painful experience.  What a pleasant surprise to find out it's not!  I have had manicures that hurt more than my BAHA surgery!

Glad you don't have a huge bandage too.  Mine was well hidden under my hair and I was grateful for that.

Happy Healing!

Lori
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: tenai98 on October 18, 2010, 07:05:30 pm
awesome...i had the turban for a week...lucky you
jO
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: leapyrtwins on October 18, 2010, 09:49:04 pm
Wonderful update, Cheryl  ;D

Glad things went smoothly - and I'm jealous that you don't have to wear a BAHA "hat".  I still remember how attractive mine was! LOL

Happy healing,

Jan
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: dalern on October 18, 2010, 10:23:30 pm
Great news, Cheryl.  I just knew after having it done, you would wonder why you had been so nervous!  Welcome to the "club"!
~Dale
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: Meagan on October 19, 2010, 10:05:34 am
Great news Cheryl, mine is with Battista on November 4th.  I have opted for twilight so glad positive experience.  Awesome to see the picture, totally makes me feel better.....Happy Healing!!

meagan
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: ksiwek on October 19, 2010, 08:30:43 pm
Hi Cheryl!

I know I sent you a PM...but wanted to say congrats again on this thread!  Our countdown is on!!!!  Keep me posted on how you are healing...and I will do the same.

Meagan, I just had mine with Dr Battista and twilight sedation...both Doc and hospital were fantastic!  PM me if you want to talk about anything leading up to your surgery ( I am sure, however, that Jan has you all squared away)


Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: moe on October 19, 2010, 10:00:59 pm
Congratulations on joining the BAHA club!
I'll join on 9 NOV, and we can compare how it works for us.
Maureen ;)
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: another NY postie on October 20, 2010, 04:44:53 am
Wow there is a lot of us clusted around these days...so we will have our gotcha moments together! :D

Day two I was more sore in area and when I moved my head I would get this stretching sensation.  Uncomfortable a bit but nothing really big...I used extra strengh tylenol today.  I had taken a percocet (what he gave me) on Monday as was sooooo nauseous that I will  never take one of those again.  As others have said, the tylenol works well.

Day three - I don't have any pain so far today and have not needed a tylenol.  I do have a very slight headache but not sure that is even related as I am prone to headaches due to allergies..and today I get to take a shower!  I am not sure how I got through all those days post middle fosa surgery without showering...probably was much more out of it because I can't wait to shower today ;D

Thanks for all the congrats....and good luck to those who are about to be drilled
-Cheryl
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: dalern on October 20, 2010, 05:06:03 pm
Wow, you're lucky.  It was a week before I could take a shower!  Feels good, doesn't it?
~Dale
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: Goldie on October 20, 2010, 08:23:35 pm
Everybody has their own way, don't they?  I wore the head wrap for 24 hours and then could shower.  Pretty good deal!  I don't remember seeing others mention taking an antibiotic - I had a three-day course starting the day of surgery.  The only thing I'm to use on the incision is Vaseline.  So far, all is well!

Glad it went well for you, Cheryl! 

Denise D.
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: leapyrtwins on October 20, 2010, 08:57:27 pm
I wore the "hat" for 24 hours post op and then was able to take it off.  At that point, I could shampoo if I held a cup over the BAHA site to keep it from getting wet.

One week post op, my doc removed the cap and bandage from the site and I was able to shampoo normally.

I think antibiotics are one of those doctor's preference things.  I asked my doc about taking them prior to the implant surgery, but he doesn't believe in giving them unless a patient encounters an infection.  In my case, I had no infection, so I had no antibiotics.

Like Cheryl, I had a little pain - actually I'd term it "discomfort" - the second day post op and I think the afternoon of the first day.  I took Extra-Strength Tylenol and it did the trick quite nicely.

Jan
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: alicia on October 21, 2010, 08:26:29 pm
OMGoodness!  I am so out of the loop when I take a year break from the forum!  I am so proud of you Cheryl! I have not ventured to the BAHA yet...glad to see you and a few others from last year doing this!  Hope all is well  ;)
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: NL on October 23, 2010, 08:58:33 pm
Hi Cheryl!

Congratulations on the BAHA! Thanks for all the info on your surgery and the pic. I'll be looking for future updates!

Kind of makes me want to join the club.  ;)

Nancy

P.S. - Kris, congrats to you, too!
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: skamper on October 23, 2010, 10:12:27 pm
Wow, thanks for the picture Cheryl!  I feel so much better.  I get my screw on Wed the 27th and have been a little nervous to say the least.  The picture really means alot.  I just don't know if I will have the cup or not.  Some say since I had the cup after my AN surgery that I mostly like will though.  The doctor suggested I take the next day off so I'm guessing either the cup or bandage.
I'm glad all went so well and you have had such little discomfort.  That's a great sign for all of us wanting this done.
That will be an awesome Christmas present, I was thinking the samething about mine, if I come home with it.
Susan
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: Goldie on October 24, 2010, 03:06:27 pm
The most common question I get asked when I tell people about the BAHA..."How new is this?"  I think fairly new but really don't know how long they've been doing the BAHA's.  Anyone know?

Denise D.
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: Kencutus on October 24, 2010, 03:57:38 pm
The most common question I get asked when I tell people about the BAHA..."How new is this?"  I think fairly new but really don't know how long they've been doing the BAHA's.  Anyone know?

Denise D.

Take a look at this link; Birth of BAHA. (http://www.baha-users-support.com/birth_of_baha.php)  It was somehow started in late 1970's early 1980's. (You'll have to scroll down a bit to see the article).
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: Goldie on October 24, 2010, 06:23:31 pm
Wow!  Very interesting, and thanks for sending.  Now I can say a little more than "Gee, I don't know."   :)

So far I haven't met any non-users (or non-ANers) who have heard of the BAHA.  I have a feeling that will change as time goes on. 

Denise D.
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: leapyrtwins on October 24, 2010, 08:54:16 pm
BAHAs were being implanted in the UK before they got FDA approval in the U.S.

I've met several non-AN patients who have BAHAs - and although I haven't them in person, at least two Forumites are non-AN BAHA wearers; Mike Corse and Dale (dalern).  I've also met other non-AN patients with BAHAs through the Cochlear Community (www.cochlearcommunity.com) and through my work as a Cochlear volunteer.

Jan
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: mandy721 on October 26, 2010, 06:39:09 am
Cheryl,
Looking forward to hearing more reports after you can use the BAHA.  Seeing how being deaf in one ear impacts Ken's day to day life, I hope he will give more thought to getting a BAHA.  More good wishes for this new chapter.
Best,
Miranda
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: leapyrtwins on October 26, 2010, 04:27:39 pm
Miranda -

Ken should try the BAHA demo, it's what ultimately sold me on the BAHA.

Just a thought,

Jan
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: jaylogs on October 27, 2010, 12:27:09 am
Heya Cheryl! Congrats on tha BAHA....I bet you can't wait until your gotcha day, eh?  This is good info for all those who are on the fence about getting BAHAs. Like Nancy said, kinda makes me want to get one, you made it look so easy! :)  Let us know how things sound on your gotcha day, k? :)  Take care!
Jay
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: leapyrtwins on October 27, 2010, 05:59:41 am
Jay -

jump over the fence and try the demo  ;)  ;D

Jan
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: another NY postie on November 04, 2010, 01:20:10 pm
Today Dr. took out stiches.  It is healing amazingly well.  My hair also grows like a weed so hair is there.  All  numbness except around the site is gone.  The coolest thing was he was cleaning around the post - I guess taking off the first layer of skin that was old with a tweezer and just with the post there, I could hear what he was doing!  I couldn't believe it!  I could actually hear that tiny of sound.  It still feels like I hear through the good ear when he taps on it...I have an appt in 6 weeks and he told me to bring processor just in case as I got the new post so it may be ready then.  Yahoo!
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: leapyrtwins on November 05, 2010, 06:16:34 am
One of my favorite things prior to my Gotcha Day was touching my abutment so I could hear the sound of my fingertip  ;D

Yes, I know, that sounds VERY weird  :D

But it was also very cool  8)

Jan
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: wendysig on November 05, 2010, 09:34:37 am
hi Cheryl,

I've been meaning to check in and I can see things are going well!  Wow, if you get to start using your processor in just 6 more weeks, that would be very cool!  I know what you mean about hearing the sound when he touched your abutment.  Like Jan, I couldn't resist tapping it from time to time before my BAHA gotcha day.  It was an amazing precursor or things to come as far as better hearing goes.  I'm so happy for you!!! 

Best wishes,
Wendy
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: ksiwek on November 05, 2010, 07:38:38 pm
I giggle everytime my husband touches the abutment while putting on the bacitracin!  Only us SSD folks could know the beauty of that sound!

My wound is taking a bit longer to heal due to some skin separation on one side of the flap.  Boo for that, but the other 2 sides look great!  The skin on the top side of the abument is really trying to grow up over the abutment.  This makes me sad as I hope that I will still be able to get the processor on with good sound quality.  I really do not want to have revision surgery or the like.  Keep your fingers crossed!  The Dr said that we would wait and see...so that's what I will do!  I asked him if I could just push the skin down..but he said no  ;D  Staying positive!!!!

Cheryl...AWESOME news!  6 weeks seems so close!!!  Yay!!!!
Title: Re: BAHA Surgery today - Piece of cake
Post by: leapyrtwins on November 06, 2010, 12:07:48 pm
Hang in there, Kris.

I'm confident things will work out in the end.

Jan