After everything we have been through having a BAHA is a piece of cake. I don't know if it’s the same for you over there but over here in UK we get the option to be put to sleep or have it done under local anasetic, I opted for a local and it has to be one of the strangest experiences of my life.
Lay on my back with my head to the side, my head numb, I was facing one of the nursing staff talking to him about weddings because my surgeon had mentioned he was getting married, before long the whole of the nursing staff, surgeons and myself we're happily chatting about the price of catering at weddings (me being a caterer I offered my services) then all of a sudden I had a thought and it made me chuckle there I was, chatting away with out a care and there were two surgeons scrapping at my skull, drilling and screwing in a pin, it has to have been the most serial 30 minutes of my life.
What I will say is don't panic you'll be absolutely fine, it really is a walk in the park, I walked out of the hospital just 40 minutes after coming out of theatre, it is, in comparison to previous ops
A SIMPLE PROCCEDURE.If you do stay awake just be prepared for the vibrating, when you first go in they use a special cutter that cuts a horse shoe shape incision into the scalp, you won't feel a thing it just makes a loud noise also when they drill the hole you will vibrate again, whilst doing the drilling the nurses or other surgeon spray water over the area its a bit cold and sometimes runs down your neck, be prepared for that its not
BLOOD its only
WATER, before you know it they are screwing the pin and stitching you up then hey presto! You’re done.
I found the whole thing very interesting and I'm glad I opted to be awake, even if it was a little scary, I wasn't told half of the things I have told you, so you should be fine because you now know what’s to come.
You may find you have blood in your hair and that’s not nice because you can't wash it for a week, but you can buy dry shampoo from any good chemist its really good you just spray it on and its a really light powder, leave it for 30 seconds and comb it through it won't take it all out but it will make it feel fresher.
Last point be careful of infection, mine was infected for months, it would clear up for a few weeks then suddenly come back, it was really annoying but if you keep it clean it should be ok, problem is I was on my own, my husband works away allot and because of its position it was hard to see what I was doing even with the aid of 2 mirrors, looking back at yourself in a couple of mirrors isn't easy and then you have to hold a mirror in one hand and try to clean with the other, its very awkward, if you have someone at home who can do it for you then that is the best way, use a mild antiseptic that you can mix with water (TCP) or something like that and buy loads of cotton buds you know the ones you clean your ears with, you'll need them.
I hope this helps
You'll be fine, let us know how you get on.
Cheryl
