ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => Hearing Issues => Topic started by: Sefra22 on April 22, 2009, 04:45:06 pm
-
Yes that's right abutments with an "s". Today was full of suprises :o Which just goes to show that no matter how much research we do, everybody is different, and experiences can vary greatly.
First of all, I did not know until I was talking to my Dr. that I was going to have GENERAL anesthesia instead of local. I am glad I did not know beforehand since I really would have stressed about it. Man, I hate waking up from that stuff.
Secondly, I was told at the same time that I would have a "spare" abutment installed a little further back. This one would be kept under the skin, and used only if the first one fails. The reason I was told was that because I had radiation, there could be some issues with the integrity of the bone.
I had never come across that in any of my reading, but I think most everyone here who has BAHA had surgery, correct? I guess it's probably best to have it done now, than another surgery later.
I have already decided to name them "William and Harry". An heir and spare.............And maybe that's the reason for the general since they had to do 2 procedures?
I will get a chance to ask him more about it tomorrow.
Feeling good so far, a little woozy when I get up. The only pain so far is an incredibly sore throat. Did I mention how much I HATE general anesthesia ;D
Lisa
-
Welcome to the club of feeling woozy lol. I got a compression bandage today because it would not stop draining it was likea waterfall so I go back Friday forabandage change Lisa I am so glad you came out of it fine get some rest. :o ;D
-
So Mike and Lisa, is the race to the processor on? BTW -- congratulations on successful surgeries.
-
Thanks David, I guess the race for the processors is on lol just a little fun lisa and I are doing since we where so close to each others surgerys. :D
-
It's on...Ready...set..GO!!!!!!..................
That drainage thing sound pretty yucky, Mike. Did it seep through your original bandage?
Lisa
-
It soak through it so I had to go back to get the compression bandage I was suprise I always thought I was fool of hot air, not water. ;D
-
Mine's really dry, I hope it doesn't keep me from getting some sleep tonight. The Dr. will remove it aat 3:30 tomorrow.
lisa
-
good luck tomorrow Lisa get a good night sleep.
-
Lisa -
the double abutments is a new one on me, but than again I had surgery - so it must be a radiation thing.
I love the names - and the comedy involved. An heir and a spare :D If you keep that up Lori, Kay, and I will be recruiting you for our comedy team.
Glad things went well today.
Mike -
you are taking this gory thing a little too far ::) Drainage like a waterfall - EWWWW! :D
Jan
-
Actually, I have two also. The other - spare is under my skin and is called a "sleeper screw". That way if something happens and they can't use the first one, it's not a major surgery to put the new one in - just a matter of putting an opening in the skin and screwing the external part of the abuttment onto it. I think most doctors use them but probably don't bother telling patients about. I only know because I asked about it and now I can actually feel a little bump under my skin directly above the abuttment that I use.
I'm glad it's over with for you and I hope you're feeling good. I also hope the wait for the processor goes fast!
Lori
-
The other - spare is under my skin and is called a "sleeper screw".
Seriously? Now you've got me wondering if I have one also.
Guess I'll just have to ask my doc the next time I see him.
-
You probably do. I know it's routine for my doctor, but I read about it somewhere which is why I specifically asked him about it, so I know its not just a Nashville thing.
-
Do you get a sleeper implant because you had a tumor removed ??? I do not think I have two just one I did not see two openings.
-
Mike -
not sure if this is tumor related or not; Lori will probably know. She's a nurse, so she knows a lot more about medical stuff than I do ;D
Good point about the two openings. Although Lisa and Lori said the "sleeper" was under the skin. Would that mean there wouldn't be a second opening visible?
Jan
-
I do not know but I would think they would have to open the skin to make the hole but what do I know. ???
-
Wow -- I've heard and read about "sleeper screws," but never thought that I actually might have one. I thought they were done primarily on children. I'm feeling the area around my abutment as I type and can't really detect anything.
Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)
-
I will have to ask my Dr Friday if she did that too. It might just be for people that had Acoustic Neuromas but I am going to ask her that. I never heard of that until Lisa brought it up.
-
Please do, Mike, I'm curious to find out how many of us have them.
Like Catherine, I'll have to feel around on my head too ;D
I know I have a screw very close to my BAHA site (from my AN surgery) and my doc said he could unscrew it and remove it if necessary (ie - if it pops through the skin) but he didn't say anything about a second abutment.
Now I am SO curious ::)
-
I will ask Jan when I go will let you know.
-
Nope, only one opening. When they lift the skin flap to do the surgery, they just put in the sleeper screw then - it's then covered over by the intact skin and stitched along the incision. Then, if necessary later, they just have to make a small incision over the screw to expose it and attach the external abuttment.
I'm not sure if all docs do it - I know mine does routinely - I guess he figures while he's in there he might as well. I was just at my audiologists office today and I should have asked him, but I forgot. He's a nice guy and we get to talking about everything not related to hearing that I forget what it was I wanted to ask him in the first place! Maybe next time!
Lori
-
I was just at my audiologists office today and I should have asked him, but I forgot. He's a nice guy and we get to talking about everything not related to hearing that I forget what it was I wanted to ask him in the first place! Maybe next time!
Focus, Lori, focus! :D Sorry, but I couldn't resist.
Jim
-
Hey Lisa how are you feeling today I hope good man an I bored can not wait to go back to work. I guess once the weekend gets hear It will not be as boring family will be off of school and work. ;D It is bad when you can not wait to go to the Drs. office ;D :P
-
Hey Mike,
Don't rush to get back to work! I had inventory at my store today and felt compelled to go in, even though my boss said she could cover for me. I worked from 5am-11am , and I feel like I could sleep all day. (I went to bed last night at 7:30!). I was doing a lot of bending over and even moved some heavy stuff I shoudn't have. I think I overdid it. Oh well, at this point I don't have to work until Tuesday ;D
Lisa
-
Hey, guys, enjoy your time off while you can! ;D
Jim, I'm going to bring you with me to my next appointment - then you can remind me what I'm supposed to be doing! I can't help it - I don't get out much - I have to talk to everyone I come in contact with! Especially when they speak my language (Yankee) - I don't always understand Southernese. :D
Lori
-
Lisa I went to the Dr. today and it is doing great no more discharge ;D But she wanted to keep the compression bandage on until my Monday appointment :'( . Uh ya she has heard of the sleeper implant but she does not do them because she does see the point she still says you have to do under for the rest. She said all the ones she does have had succuess. I guess every Dr. is different. ;) There was a completely deaf person in there today I wish I knew how to sign. She was waiting for her interperter.
-
Lisa I forgot to say she put dissolving sticthes in thank God. ::)
-
I hope mine are the dissolving kind...I didn't think to ask.
Lisa
-
I just happen to ask her when the stitches come out an she said they dissolve . How are you doing today I hope not much and taking it easy better said then done lol.
-
How is my surgery buddy doing today. I hope fine. :)
-
As I recall, my AN surgery stitches had to be removed; but my BAHA surgery stitches dissolved.