Surgery Complete!

[usa2010]

I am 72 hours post-op and I am sitting on my couch relaxing! The surgery was completed at the University of Cincinnati but Dr. John Tew and Dr. Myles Pensak. There aren't enough words to express my gratitude to this 1st class duo. I had the suboccipital approach and it was completed in just over 5 hours. Initially, I had hearing in the ear, but shortly after surgery it was gone. I am currently on steroids and am hoping that it finds its way back. I have no facial paralysis, which was something I had spent quite some time worrying about. As I think back over this journey- I think the wait and anxiety before the surgery were worse than the actual procedure! I am still unsteady on my feet but think that I am most surprised by the lack of head pain. I expected the incision to hurt like heck. My neck was really stiff at the 24 hour mark but that has greatly improved. There is no tinnitus right now- but there is also no hearing- for now! I am still hopeful--

This board provided so much support for my wife and I - reading posts and trying to normalize our experience! Thank you for that.

[Jim Scott]

usa2010 ~

From another AN patient who also experienced a good surgical outcome: congratulations!    May your recovery be quick and complete.

Jim

[anissa]

Congrats on becoming a "postie" and so great that you're already home, way to go!  I think, for me, the best part of recovery was that I could finally stop "what-iffing" myself to death and move forward.  Best wishes to you!

[jaylogs]

Congrats and welcome to the "other side".  I too had my hearing after my surgery (I did middle fossa), and a few days later it was gone.  It took about5 weeks and all the swelling and fluids cleared out and now I can hear better than before my surgery.  So give it time, it'll come back.
Jay

[Kaybo]

USA~
Glad you had such a good outcome!!     Listen to your body and REST when you need to - even though you are doing great - you will probably still need some extra rest that you are not used to taking time out for!!

K   

[leapyrtwins]

USA -

I am so happy to hear that things went well for you - and even happier that I mentioned Dr. Tew to you (that's almost a tongue twister  )

That's one of the many great things about the Forum, being able to share information that helps others.

Congratulations on being a postie!

Jan

[pjb]

So glad to hear everything went well but just remember relax and take it easy even if you are feeling good do not overdo it no setbacks and hopiing that your hearing returns.

Best Wishes,

Pat

[mnastasi]

Congrats!  I am almost 2 weeks post-op.  Sounds like we have a lot in common.  I had retrosigmoid and could hear after surgery..but lost it soon after..still don't have it.  My facial nerve was also preserved.  I am like you, amazed at how good I feel so soon after surgery!!  I am still on steroids hoping that some of my hearing/ taste comes back...but am SO thankful it is over!!!  yeah!!

[bell]

Awesome, glad to hear it went so well.  Good luck in recovery, take it easy and rest.   Surgeons are amazing!!!!!!
Bell

[lori67]

USA -

Congratulations!  What good news!  I'm glad to hear it's over with and you can start healing.

I was surprised at the lack of pain after my surgery too.  I fully expected to feel like I'd been hit in the head with a sledgehammer when I woke up.  I was very pleasantly surprised that I didn't.

Hope the steroids do the trick on your hearing.  Get lots of rest, stay hydrated and walk when you can to help with your balance!

Lori

[usa2010]

Thanks for all the replies. Anissa- I could not have said it better, as it really was all the "what iffing" that was hard. I reviewed the list of possible complications more than once. Jay- you man made my day! I had to read and read again your post! I have remained hopeful that my hearing will come back but your report was icing on the cake. I am more confident than ever!

Jan- thank you again and again and again.... and again! 

I'll take the advice- and rest.

Mnastasi- Congrats to you, too, on  your surgery and recovery! I am hoping that we both have our hearing back in the next couple weeks! Keep me posted!

Someone posted a response to me when I was first diagnosed and told me that I had begun a journey- whether I knew it or not--- they were right.

[Keri]

Hello,
I am also glad that things went well. I really hope your hearing comes back soon - glad there's hope for that.
Take care and I hope you get lots of rest and are on your way to a good recovery.

Keri