I had a 4 cm tumor and no hearing loss prior to surgery. The drs did retrosigmoid but once they got in there they found my tumor to be very sticky and attached to everything. As a result I lost the hearing and vestibular nerves. My facial nerve had been flattened and is still recovering 17 months later. It was also pushing on the brainstem.
My hair was shaved underneath. It looked as if it was layered unevenly. My hairdresser thinned out the other side a little and it looked fine. I had highlights a month before surgery (didn't know about it yet) and all the color fell out of my hair post surgery. The hairdresser gave me some clarifying shampoo that takes all the anesthesia out of your hair and made it soft again.
As for the facial paralysis, Lamar, it is frustrating. I try to spend as little time in front of mirror as possible. My smile has returned and gets better everyday. It just takes time.
Waking up with ssd was quite an experience. First I always thought the ac was running, that's how my tinnitus began. It does take some adjusting to but you really do adjust. In 2 weeks I'll be getting by Baha processor. I've read on these boards of people who had the implant done when they had their an surgery. See if that's an option for you.
I had my surgery in Cleveland Ohio. My surgeon said he does 10-15 An's a year. I thought that was alot until I learned of House on these boards. I'm very pleased with my surgeon. All of my tumor was removed and for the most part I'm fine.
Please email me if you have any more questions.
And Trudy-my surgeons offered me "something" for those weeks before surgery to calm my nerves. Just ask.
