BAHA Surgery Scheduled

[LizAN]

Hi, everyone!

My BAHA implant surgery is scheduled for December 19th, one week from today, with Dr. James Kemper in Austin, Texas.  I decided to go with the Oticon Ponto Pro Power.  Doc says I should be able to connect the processor about 6 weeks post-op, which would be January 30th.  Just around the corner...

Liz

[CHD63]

Yaaaaaay, Liz .....

So glad you have a date. Not long now and by February/March you will begin the process if retraining your brain to accept these wonderful new sounds!!

Clarice

[LizAN]

Thanks, Clarice, for your support and help through all of this!  I'm not exactly looking forward to the surgery, but I'm excited to finally be moving forward.

What was your retraining process like?

Liz

[CHD63]

Since my abutment was put in at the time of my translab surgery, I was SSD without assistance for only three months.  Therefore, my retraining was relatively quick.  I know I am still "retraining" however, because now I miss my Ponto terribly when it is not on, and that was not the case at first.

I do know that the more one wears the device, the faster the brain learns to deal with the sounds.  You cannot just wear it when you go out or want to hear ..... it needs to be put on upon getting showered/dressed and left on until bedtime for maximum benefit.

I was mildly disappointed the day I was able to attach the processor and my audiologist was adjusting my settings.  I had to ask her, "Is it on?"  When she said it was, I thought "Oh no, all this and no difference in sound."  She was siting to the right of me (in her quiet office), which is my good/hearing ear side.  My husband was sitting quietly on my left/deaf side.  She said to my husband, "Say something."  When he did, I was ecstatic because I could hear him clearly without turning to face him.

My audiologist gave me a couple of exercises to do to help speed up the brain retraining process.  PM me after you get your processor and I will be glad to send them to you.

Many thoughts .....

Clarice

[LizAN]

Oh, good, some exercises to speed up the retraining process!  Thanks, Clarice.  My audiologist has not mentioned that possibility.  I will definitely PM you when the time comes.

I'm hoping to hook the processor on first thing in the morning and not take it off until last thing at night, just like I do with my progressive lenses.

Thanks,
Liz

[LizAN]

Please keep me in your prayers, everyone.  Tomorrow is my BAHA implant day.  It shouldn't be scary after what I've been through, but I'm nervous anytime I have to have an IV, and especially so if there is anesthesia or a knife involved.

Thanks,
Liz

[CHD63]

Liz .....

I'm sure it will all go smoothly, but prayers coming just the same!

Let us know how you do.

Clarice

[lrobie]

Liz,

I hope things are going well for you today.

Lisa

[leapyrtwins]

Liz -

sorry I didn't see this thread sooner.

Congratulations on your choice.  I hope things went well today.

Best,

Jan

[LizAN]

Thanks, everyone.

The surgery went well.  I was home by noon and slept most of the day yesterday.  I've been up and around this morning but am getting ready to go back to bed.  Hard to tell whether it is the anesthesia still wearing off, or the pain meds, but I am a bit dopey and sleepy and slightly weak.  Pain isn't too bad, so I may stop taking the meds tomorrow.

I see the doctor tomorrow to get the big bandage off.  It isn't the whole head mastoid type bandage I had after translab.  It is a small ball of a bandage right at the site, maybe a couple of inches square.  I will still keep the healing cap for another week or so.

My surgeon called, himself, yesterday evening, to check on me.  I really like Dr. Kemper.  I'm sure Dr. Briggs would have done a fine job as well, but I am happy with my choice and may keep Dr. Kemper as my long-term ENT/Neurotologist.  My original ENT, Dr. Jones, was great, and I am thankful that he diagnosed my tumor promptly, but he doesn't do BAHA surgery and the other ENT in his practice doesn't use Oticon products.

It is such  relief to have the surgery done.  Now it is a count-down as I can hook up the processor at six weeks.

Thanks again, for helping me get through this.

Liz

[CHD63]

Thanks for letting us know how you did.  Sounds like you are doing well.  Just rest and take it easy for a couple of days.  The next three months will fly by and then yaaaaaaaay .....

Thoughts and prayers.

Clarice

[dalern]

So glad to hear all is well, and I know you will be thrilled when you have the "finished product"!!!
~Dale

[LizAN]

Bandage is off!

It was stitched to my head so removing it had a couple of painful moments. It was worth it. I still have the healing cap and a second set of stitches to be removed in two weeks. It's nice to have an excuse to take it easy!

[dalern]

So interesting how different each doctor is. I had dissolvable stitches.  They didn't all quite dissolve, but as they were sticking out, I just pulled them out!  Strange, but that's the way it was.
~Dale