baha healing cap

[Lita]

I am so upset I was hoping someone knows about this. I had BAHA implant (without magnet) on Thurs (2 days ago) by an ENT . He told me to come to the office yesterday. He removed the dressing and the healing cap. He said "you're good." I asked him shouldn't it be covered he said no. I asked when I can get it wet he said tomorrow. No instructions about hygiene or care.

It didn't seem right so looked here and at baha site and everywhere it says keep cap on for several days, not take off the day after surgery. I just called his emergency line and covering doctor said it must be how he practices and his policy, but I could tell he may not agree with it.

I called BAHA and they said Monday specialists would be in to speak with me.

Please let me know if anyone else had this. I looked all over ana and did not see anyone have theirs removed the next day. I am so worried and upset. thanks.

[CHD63]

Hi Lita .....

Dr. Friedman implanted my Ponto Pro abutment during my translab surgery for removal of my AN so my situation does not equate with patients having it done later.  However, my healing cap was removed when my surgical stitches from the translab were removed ..... as I recall it was 8 days after surgery.  I did not have any stitches near the abutment.  I was instructed to keep it clean with regular shampooing (I could not wash my hair until after the stitches were out) and after it was completely healed, to regularly brush around the abutment with the soft brush they gave me.  I had no issues then nor any since with it (other than an occasional irritation which is quickly cleared with a dab of Neosporin), but I am an easy healer.

It seems a bit unusual for them not to give you any post-procedure instructions .....  I am sure every doctor has his/her own protocol for the healing cap, but removal the next day does seem sooner than most.

If I were you, I would try to keep my fingers off the area and keep the area as clean as you can without touching it.  These things always seem to happen on a week-end when we cannot get quick, correct advice from our doctors.

Thoughts and prayers.

Clarice

[Lita]

Hi Clarice, I have no brush so wonder if I sterilize something and dab around the border. Why would a doctor be so dismissive, during my visit yesterday he really acted like I could shower and said nothing when I asked how to care for it, just if it oozes or bleeds to wipe it.

I will have my husband check on it (he is quesy but I made him look and tell me if it was covered at all). I thought something must be on it, but he sees just the abutment.  I'll keep it dry. It isn't infected but I am just upset as doctor is treating me differently from what is recommended. Thank you for answering, it does seem early to you too.

[CHD63]

Hi Lita .....

Did your doctor give you a kit that came from either Cochlear or Oticon Medical?  The brush was in my kit (it is very, very soft ..... like a baby's toothbrush).  Even if you had a brush ..... in my opinion only, I would not use it until I talked with the BAHA specialist on Monday.  I would touch it as little as possible and keep the area around it as clean as possible without disturbing the actual abutment.

Hang in there ..... it will all be OK, I am sure .....  but it is nerve-wracking to have to worry about it over the week-end.

Clarice

[Lita]

  The doctor didn't give me a kit or literature. I requested info from Cochlear before surgery, but the one they sent was BAHA for children. I made another request and should come, in the meantime reading from Cochlear site and here for information.

I had such good experiences with my AN surgery doctors so this is very disconcerting. I met Dr. Sorin once for BAHA eval then at surgery. I don't think he'll have much to say Monday, probably that this is how he does it. It will be four days already, when I feel now is when the cap would be most important. I can get the kit you mention as the office probably has it. I'll keep it clean and am not going to try any brushing now.

I see you had two surgeries for AN which had to be rough, I can't imagine. Most posts it seems people are happy with their care and doctors So happy to have ANA to turn to even now five years later from first diagnosed. Thank you again, and for your kind wishes.

[alabamajane]

Sorry you are having anxiety but try to relax till tomorrow and just not bother abutment much.

I had Cochlear BAHA implant in Oct. my Dr doesn't do the surgery as most and maybe yours doesn't. I don't remember a cap at all in fact.  He doesn't cut the skin area as has been done on most, he just "takes a plug" out and drills the hole and screws abutment in. So I didn't have stitches to take out. He said Cochlear has a different type adhesive around base of abutment that skin just attaches to now.  This is as I remember from few months ago. I was told not to bother it for about 6 weeks and I didnt have any problems and have not yet.
I did receive the kit though that Clarice mentions. Perhaps you will on return visit. Do you see him again soon or just wait several weeks for activation??

Hope it is all well and you can talk to him tomorrow. Good luck
Jane

[Lita]

That is a relief to hear you had no cap and are ok. It seemed everywhere I read the cap was on for 4-7 days. I don't have stitches so maybe this is how it was done, with adhesive. He spoke very little, so when I asked about a covering he said "its good." The Baha reps will probably get back to me tomorrow so I can ask them about cap and adhesive. I can get kit from the doctors office.

It will take months before I get the Baha, I'll be getting the 5. Are you happy with yours? I will feel better the rest of the day. Thank you Jane and Clarice. Have a nice weekend, Jean (Lita)

[alabamajane]

Glad you are somewhat relieved! That's what we are here for.....

I wish I'd known about the 5 coming out just month or so after I got my 4 in Dec. but so far it's ok. I did not have the "AHA" moment that some do,, it has been pretty anti-climatic actually for me. I frankly can go without it about as well. I had been three years SSD though and my good ear is very good so I Had gotten used to hearing on one side. I go tomorrow for yet another adjustment to it to see if I can get better speech hearing.

I truly hope you get better results and you probably will. So many people love their's,, I'm just not " as taken" with it. But I wear it most of the time in hopes brain will adjust and hearing will get better.

Good luck,, let us know how your healing goes..
Jane

[leapyrtwins]

From experience I can tell you that the BAHA healing cap isn't meant to be worn long-term.  Mine was removed 24 hours post implant, tossed in the garbage by my doc, and I never saw it again.

No worries 

Jan