Re:1st week

[Guest guest]

Hi Dan:

Give it some time. My ear stuck out for a few weeks. I felt dizzy for about 10

days or so, but was driving by 5 days. Even after a year, 1/2 of my tongue

still feels a little weird (from the anesthesia). But hearing has made it all

worth it!

Rhona

cause of hearing loss unknown

Cochlear Awareness Network Advocate

4/3/07 Surgery, left ear Nucleus Freedom

5/8/07 Activated

Univ of Miami

Dr. Balkany

[Guest guest]

Hi all. I wanted to chime in experiences with the first week post-surgery. I

agree with everyone who says it really will vary from person to person. I had

surgery on 7/18/07 which started at 1pm and I felt great that night in the

hospital. I did stay 1 night which is what my surgeon recommended and was

released by 10am the following morning. I was up and about in the hospital and

was surprised how great I felt.

Well - for me, it was the 2nd day post-surgery when I was home and tried to

lay down, propped up a bit, in my bed. It all went downhill from there. I was so

dizzy to the point of nausea and this lasted for the next 4 days. I highly

recommend that if you can arrange to have a recliner or some sort of neck

cushion where you basically sleep sitting up post-surgery, you will be much

better off. I was supposed to return to the doctor 6 days after surgery to have

my staples removed and it is an hour drive from my house. On the 5th day, I

really did not think I would be able to manage being a passenger in a moving

vehicle. But as quick as the dizziness came on - it disappeared around day 5 for

me.

I had no pain post-surgery but the dizziness really was tough. Thank goodness

it did go away but I had to have someone at the house with me those first few

days because I honestly could not walk to/from the bathroom or kitchen without

holding on to something. Many people are feeling great within a few days but I

would give yourself a week of no activity and lots of rest just to be on the

safe side.

-

AB Activated 8/29/07 and loving my CI so much I am waiting on a surgery date

for my left CI so I can join the bilateral ranks.

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Dan my man,

This is MAJOR surgery. The effects you are feeling can all be due to

the anesthesia that is still in your body (which is why you are not

supposed to drive for the first week or so post surgery). It took me 10

days to stop feeling like I'd been run over by a truck, that then backed

up and did it again.

If you've ever had surgery before, then you know how long it takes

you to recover from it. Many people say they feel FINE the first day or

2 post surgery and then crash. Because the anesthesia finally wears off.

So, you need to TAKE it easy, give your body a chance to recover, it is

a major trauma to your body.

Your implanted ear will stick out until the swelling goes down.

Sometimes that takes 3 or 4 weeks, which is why they don't map you right

away. The dizziness is very common after surgery of the ear, and so is

the walking problems. You need to do what your body is telling you to

do, which is REST, REST and then when you have the time, REST.

Seriously. Hold on to things when you walk, don't turn your head fast,

sleep upright as much as possible - like in a recliner, or with lots of

pillows under you. Helps the swelling to go down, and TAKE IT EASY. You

are where lots of other folks are at one week post surgery.

Congestion - do NOT blow your nose if you can help it. Have someone

get you a nasal aspirator, gross as that sounds. You do not want to blow

your nose with your mouth closed at any time, but ask the surgeon if you

can take decongestants, and if so, do it.

You'll feel like a new person in 2 weeks. So rest and let Ma Nature

take her course.

Hope you're feeling better soon. Catch up on all the reading you

promised yourself you'd do some time.

Posted by: " hhissues " HHIssues@... hhissues

Wed May 7, 2008 10:54 am (PDT)

Hi,

I had my surgery last Friday on May 2nd. It's 5 days later now.

I'm still not 100 %. My balance is still a little off. I still get a

little dizzy at times. I'm still not walking 100 %. I hadn't gotten all

of my strength back yet. My implanted ear still sticks out.

Am I expecting to recover too much too soon or what ? What was your 1st

week like ?

I also currently have a bad case of congestion. Thus that could play a

factor ?

Thanks !

Dan

[Guest guest]

I agree with all that. I'd also like to add that there's a wedge pillow that

can be purchased from a medical supply company that worked well for me when

I had my third implant. I just slipped it under the bottom sheet and put my

regular pillow on top of it. I was able to avoid facial swelling by using

that pillow and also by cutting little snips at intervals into the edge of

the bandage before going to sleep that night. If your face starts to swell

and the bandage gets too tight during the night, you're in for a nasty

surprise the next morning. Voice of experience speaking from my second

surgery.

e