20 days post-op,please help!! - Hearing Disorders Message Board

aysha26 · 11-16-2008, 07:57 AM

I've been reading stapedectomy reports and forums for 20 days. I had my stapedectomy operation for my right ear 20 days ago, but I am still worried.. If you can help me, I'll be glad.I have lots of questions although my doc says everything will be OK.

Still I feel pressure on my right ear , is that normal?

My doc says not to have a shower before a month, when did you have a shower? If some water goes in the operated ear, something happens??

In some of the forums I have read after the operation the prothesis slipped , is it possible the prothesis slipped? I am really worried about it. Because I blowed out several times, and a big yawns, sneezing uncarefully, are these important? What should we do?

As you can see, I am still worried after the operation, and still I hear like I am in a tunnel, or as some of you said "through a can". Last week after the packing out ,I hear with a big echo and now the echo comes and goes and sometimes I feel I don't hear anything, are all of these normal? I just want to "hear" all of these are normal or am I too worried?

kitchener12 · 11-17-2008, 11:16 AM

Hi aysha26

Firstly your dr is right you need to have a lot of patience for this recovery, everybody is different believe me, everybody with have a different recovery.

My hearing improved immediately BUT my tounge was numb for 2 weeks and still isn't totally back to normal....

THe reason for NO water in ear is incase it causes an infection by getting water behind the incision. So Dont wash your hair like he says I know it is gross but just don't even risking a drop is not worth it..same thing for blowing your nose just don;t or VERY gently. But if you have done either and your dr says don't worry he will be right, I called my surgeon about 4 times each time he said 'don;t worry it will be fine " these are all precautions for a best posible outcome.

it is only week 3 for you I am at week 8, it will improve.

BEst of luck

and DONt' WORRY!

aysha26 · 11-18-2008, 07:01 AM

Thanks a lot for your reply..
To share ideas and problems with people who had this operation is really relaxing.
I think you're right. We have to wait and have a lot of patience. When did you have a shower, I mean a normal shower? Or still are you careful about water? Do we need to use something to keep our ear from water forever?

On week 8 how do you feel about your ear? Do you still feel pressure or something strange?
Sorry , but I have a lot of questions, because my doc is in another city, every week I go to see him, but I still have questions as you see. Thanks a lot...

kitchener12 · 11-19-2008, 07:41 PM

Hi aysha26

Today I had my last visit with my surgeon, he was very pleased with my hearing test and said my tounge may take another 4 (!) months to get back to normal. Again he said everybody heals differently we just have to have patience! I asked him about water in the ear for me now and he said its fine and back to normal, he said no scuba diving though!!! I still put a cotton ball in my ear while showering though!!!
My ear felt fine right from the beggining but I did have vertigo (dizzy) for a while. nasty...
I am sure everything will be fine for you in another month or so.

Best wishes

smittiesgirl · 11-19-2008, 11:18 PM

Had stapedectomy a week ago today. I ended up staying in the hospital four days with severe vertigo. Feeling a little better, but still dizzy. Just a couple of questions:

1. Doctor says there is dissolvable packing in ear that will be gone in two weeks or so. Anyone ever hear of this? I got a little packing removed yesterday but he said there is more in there.

2. I have a continuous pulse in my ear to my heartbeat. Extremely annoying. How long does it take to go away?

This will get better, right? Everything is louder but soooo muffled. Very weird and frustrating.