BAHA procedure done today!

[dalern]

So, the surgical part is over.  I was worried about having my head totally covered....I am very claustrophobic.  It worked out well.  They left me a "tunnel" to see through, and I was in a twilight zone most of the time.  I felt them shaving my hair and I heard them drilling, but I had just enough medication that I didn't care!  My cousin took me out to lunch on the way home, and I know I got a few strange looks with my "BAHA cup" velcroed around my head! At least it has two happy face stickers on it!  It was hard to find a comfortable position to lie in when I got home, but finally slept for a couple of hours.  A friend brought me chicken soup tonight and now I am ready to try to find a comfortable position again!  Glad this part is over and will count the days for my 90 days to be up.  Then the processor and then hearing!

Thank you all for all your support and encouraging words.  It helped tremendously!
~Dale~   

[saralynn143]

Great news, Dale! Can't wait until your BAHA is activated.

Sara

[lori67]

Glad that part is behind you, Dale!  And I hope the 90 days 'til "Gotcha Day" goes by quickly!

Welcome to the club!   

Lori
p.s.  I'm a little jealous that I didn't get any smiley face stickers on my bandage.....

[dalern]

Thanks Sara and Lori.  I do feel like I am a member of a club now!
~Dale~

[Brewers7]

I will meet with my surgeon next week to discuss a BAHA so I am very anxious to get your thoughts.  Please keep us posted.

[Jim Scott]

Dale ~

Congratulations - and may the time pass quickly until  your processor is installed/activated.  I'm sure you're going to be delighted with your BAHA, just as so many others have been.

Jim

[dalern]

Thanks to all.  Brewers7, feel free to send me a private email and I will be glad to share any details of this experience with you. (dale@dalebarnesrn.com)
~Dale~

[leapyrtwins]

I only got one smiley face sticker on my "hat" 

Dale -

the countdown to BAHA Gotcha Day will go fast and you'll be "snapping" on that device before you know it.

Brewers -

the BAHA is phenomenal.  There are lots of posts on the Forum (just search on BAHA).  Another great resource is the Cochlear Community (www.cochlearcommunity.com)  - it's another free Forum; check it out.

Jan

[Soundy]

hope things go well and you are hearing better soon

me ... I am still waiting to win the lottery so I can do BAHA ...just haven't been able to bring myself to buy the  tickets 

[dalern]

Soundy, are you sure insurance will not cover it?  Let the doctor's office give it a shot and also go to the Cochlear website, as they can also provide help.  www.cochlearamericas.com.

Hope it works out for you!
~Dale

[dalern]

Another milestone today.  First post-op visit.  The plastic healing cap is off and I can wash my hair...Yeah!!!!!  Still feel a "tight" sensation where the post is implanted, but I think that is part of the healing process.  Back for a re-check in two weeks.
~Dale

[leapyrtwins]

Soundy -

the great people @ Cochlear can help you with insurance issues.  They have some wonderful information on their website - and are more than willing to give pointers and advice to BAHA candidates.  I was just at a Cochlear Event today - I helped train some of their audiologists on programming the BP100 - and they know the issues patients typically encounter when asking for coverage.  Seriously give some consideration to contacting them.

Dale -

glad you've reached a milestone!  It's all downhill from here.  The only issue I remember after I had my cap removed was intense itching while my site was healing.  If this happens to you, try ointment with zinc in it.  It should give you some relief. 

Also, don't be concerned if your abutment seems to "sink" in the site and get closer to your skull - this is typical.  I remember being concerned that my abutment might be too close to my skull, but my doc assured me it was just fine.

Jan

[Brookes]

Brewers -

the BAHA is phenomenal.  There are lots of posts on the Forum (just search on BAHA).  Another great resource is the Cochlear Community (www.cochlearcommunity.com)  - it's another free Forum; check it out.

Jan

Just an fyi:  While this is good advice, you need to be a little careful.  There are about 145,000 posts on this board and a search on 'baha' alone will return you about 1500 of them.  Better to be a little more specific when you search:  comparison, price, insurance, noise, are all good key words to add to the search.

[leapyrtwins]

If you have no desire to view all the BAHA posts, please feel free to PM me with any specific questions you may have.

Or don't hesitate to start a thread with a specific question or topic.

Jan

[dalern]

Jan, I DO have a lot of itching also.  It started before the cap came off!