Re: Prosthetics...worth the 3 week recovery time?

[Guest guest]

,

Healing time is healing time. I don't see how the addition of a

prosthetic(s), which is very minor compared to having a ctoma removed,

could make the healing time three weeks longer. Look at it this way,

even if the healing time is three longer, which sounds like bulls**t

to me, it would be definately worth it to me to gain my hearing back.

When discussing prosthetics, the only question I asked was what kind

(material) was going to be used and why was my surgeon using that

material?

Rich

>

> So my surgeon is telling me that he could improve my hearing with

> prosthetics, but that it would be a longer recovery time (I think he

> said 3 weeks). I'm not sure what is involved in the recovery time,

> but I think from reading the boards it means no picking up of heavy

> toddler-sized objects for 3 weeks? (My daughter is 17 months and 24

lbs.)

>

> This is probably a weird question for most of you - but I was born

> with congenital ctoma...and I don't ever remember having significant

> hearing in that ear...so it's really a question of what am I missing?

> lol I guess it's a question of a lifetime of potentially better

> hearing vs 3 weeks of inconvenience, but I'm also afraid of any future

> surgeries prompted by failed prosthesis. (I've seen a few posts

> recently mentioning surgery to redo prosthesis.)

>

> Are there any prosthesis-specific questions I should ask my surgeon?

> He'd be putting in prosthesis in for two of the three hearing bones,

> that's pretty much the extent of my knowledge on the topic.

>

> Thanks, everyone! I learn a lot from this thread.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Rich,

With only revieiwing a limited postings here, I am curious as to the different materials of prosthetics used, which is better? I had read just recently here that titanium was the way to go. Am sure its mostly the doctors choice, but am curious what materials are out there. Time for me to look a little more.

I am going back tomorrow for my follow-up, surgery was last week, to have the packing removed and discuss the next process of reconstruction in a few months.

Thanks,

Nate....

Re: Prosthetics...worth the 3 week recovery time?

,Healing time is healing time. I don't see how the addition of aprosthetic(s) , which is very minor compared to having a ctoma removed,could make the healing time three weeks longer. Look at it this way,even if the healing time is three longer, which sounds like bulls**tto me, it would be definately worth it to me to gain my hearing back.When discussing prosthetics, the only question I asked was what kind(material) was going to be used and why was my surgeon using thatmaterial?Rich>> So my surgeon is telling me that he could improve my hearing with> prosthetics, but that it would be a longer recovery time (I think he> said 3 weeks). I'm not sure what is involved in the recovery time,> but I think from reading the

boards it means no picking up of heavy> toddler-sized objects for 3 weeks? (My daughter is 17 months and 24lbs.)> > This is probably a weird question for most of you - but I was born> with congenital ctoma...and I don't ever remember having significant> hearing in that ear...so it's really a question of what am I missing?> lol I guess it's a question of a lifetime of potentially better> hearing vs 3 weeks of inconvenience, but I'm also afraid of any future> surgeries prompted by failed prosthesis. (I've seen a few posts> recently mentioning surgery to redo prosthesis.)> > Are there any prosthesis-specific questions I should ask my surgeon? > He'd be putting in prosthesis in for two of the three hearing bones,> that's pretty much the extent of my knowledge on the topic.> > Thanks, everyone! I learn a lot from this thread.> >

>

Be a PS3 game guru.Get your game face on with the latest PS3 news and previews at Games.

[Guest guest]

I believe he said that the additional healing time is because the

prosthetics need time to settle/adhere, whatever (can't remember his

exact wording). Essentially, I would just have to be careful about

overexerting myself, and that carrying a 25 lb child was not a good

idea. I'm pretty sure that I saw that 3 week timeframe mentioned by

another ctoma patient, as well, for what it's worth. No need to call

it BS, just because your surgeon didn't advise it.

Good to get your feedback on the hearing aspect - I'm very adept at

lipreading and otherwise compensating for a hearing loss, so although

my question might seem strange, I don't feel very put out by my

current hearing loss. Have to look into the recovery time a bit

further, as well as asking my surgeon what kind of hearing level I

could expect to gain.

Thanks.

> >

> > So my surgeon is telling me that he could improve my hearing with

> > prosthetics, but that it would be a longer recovery time (I think he

> > said 3 weeks). I'm not sure what is involved in the recovery time,

> > but I think from reading the boards it means no picking up of heavy

> > toddler-sized objects for 3 weeks? (My daughter is 17 months and 24

> lbs.)

> >

> > This is probably a weird question for most of you - but I was born

> > with congenital ctoma...and I don't ever remember having significant

> > hearing in that ear...so it's really a question of what am I missing?

> > lol I guess it's a question of a lifetime of potentially better

> > hearing vs 3 weeks of inconvenience, but I'm also afraid of any future

> > surgeries prompted by failed prosthesis. (I've seen a few posts

> > recently mentioning surgery to redo prosthesis.)

> >

> > Are there any prosthesis-specific questions I should ask my surgeon?

> > He'd be putting in prosthesis in for two of the three hearing bones,

> > that's pretty much the extent of my knowledge on the topic.

> >

> > Thanks, everyone! I learn a lot from this thread.

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Nate,

From what I've learned, there are basically two types of prosthetic

hearing bone material, titanium and a synthetic bone material, which

is some kind of plastic material. Whenever you hear the word

titanium, you always think of the best material, which I do also.

When I brought this up to my surgeon, she said she would put whatever

material I wanted, but advised me that her statistics did not reflect

it was the best choice for regaining hearing. Be an empirical type of

person, I ask my surgeon to quantify her statement. Low and behold,

she brought out a book full of data regarding every ctoma she ever

performed, which is well over 1000. According to her data, nearly 75%

of her patients had better hearing results from the synthetic bone

material than titanium. Her results were broken down into different

categories, including size of the ctoma, hearing loss before surgery,

procedure performed and number of bones replaced. Every category

listed showed synthetic was the way to go. While the word titanium

still sounds good to me, I went with the empirical data.

Rich

> >

> > So my surgeon is telling me that he could improve my hearing with

> > prosthetics, but that it would be a longer recovery time (I think he

> > said 3 weeks). I'm not sure what is involved in the recovery time,

> > but I think from reading the boards it means no picking up of heavy

> > toddler-sized objects for 3 weeks? (My daughter is 17 months and 24

> lbs.)

> >

> > This is probably a weird question for most of you - but I was born

> > with congenital ctoma...and I don't ever remember having significant

> > hearing in that ear...so it's really a question of what am I missing?

> > lol I guess it's a question of a lifetime of potentially better

> > hearing vs 3 weeks of inconvenience, but I'm also afraid of any future

> > surgeries prompted by failed prosthesis. (I've seen a few posts

> > recently mentioning surgery to redo prosthesis.)

> >

> > Are there any prosthesis-specific questions I should ask my surgeon?

> > He'd be putting in prosthesis in for two of the three hearing bones,

> > that's pretty much the extent of my knowledge on the topic.

> >

> > Thanks, everyone! I learn a lot from this thread.

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

> Don't be flakey. Get for Mobile and always stay

connected to friends. http://mobile./mail

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I definitely think that you should have a prosthesis put in. Life was

meant to be lived with two ears. Maybe you could get a babysitter to

help while you are healing?

I hope that you are planning on using an otologist, though. Using an

ENT could be risky and not turn out well. I agree with you about the

three week wait. I had a prosthesis put in by an ENT and waited only a

week to go back to normal activities. Now, the prosthesis is not

connected and I have to go back in. This time, I am using an otologist

and planning on waiting longer before I resume regular activities.

Do you have a functioning inner ear? If so, then you are probably

experiencing an affect of hearing your voice loudly inside your head on

one side. I went most of my life with a conductive loss on one side

and am only now starting to realize its affects. So, I think you

should opt for a healthier, more relaxing life, and hopefully you can

find someone to help you out with your child during the three week wait.

Millie

[Guest guest]

Rich,

AWESOME feedback! Just what I wanted to hear, no pun intended, lol. Having this information, I will also see what my surgeon suggests.

Thanks,

Nate...

Re: Prosthetics...worth the 3 week recovery time?

Nate,From what I've learned, there are basically two types of prosthetichearing bone material, titanium and a synthetic bone material, whichis some kind of plastic material. Whenever you hear the wordtitanium, you always think of the best material, which I do also. When I brought this up to my surgeon, she said she would put whatevermaterial I wanted, but advised me that her statistics did not reflectit was the best choice for regaining hearing. Be an empirical type ofperson, I ask my surgeon to quantify her statement. Low and behold,she brought out a book full of data regarding every ctoma she everperformed, which is well over 1000. According to her data, nearly 75%of her patients had better hearing results from the synthetic bonematerial than titanium. Her results were broken down into differentcategories, including size of the ctoma, hearing loss before surgery,procedure performed and number of bones

replaced. Every categorylisted showed synthetic was the way to go. While the word titaniumstill sounds good to me, I went with the empirical data. Rich> >> > So my surgeon is telling me that he could improve my hearing with> > prosthetics, but that it would be a longer recovery time (I think he> > said 3 weeks). I'm not sure what is involved in the recovery time,> > but I think from reading the boards it means no picking up of heavy> > toddler-sized objects for 3 weeks? (My daughter is 17 months and 24> lbs.)> > > > This is probably a weird question for most of you - but I was born> > with congenital ctoma...and I don't ever remember having significant> > hearing in that ear...so it's really a question of what am I missing?> > lol I guess it's a question of a lifetime of potentially better> > hearing vs 3 weeks of inconvenience, but I'm also afraid of any future> > surgeries prompted by failed prosthesis. (I've seen a few posts> > recently

mentioning surgery to redo prosthesis.)> > > > Are there any prosthesis-specific questions I should ask my surgeon? > > He'd be putting in prosthesis in for two of the three hearing bones,> > that's pretty much the extent of my knowledge on the topic.> > > > Thanks, everyone! I learn a lot from this thread.> > > > > >> > > > > > Don't be flakey. Get for Mobile and always stayconnected to friends. http://mobile. / mail>

Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. Try the free Beta.

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I just had my TORP put in about a month ago. For me

the three week healing period wasn't really any

different than my previous ctoma surgeries. I

" healed " at the same rate, however, my doctor is being

cautious about too much activity to make sure the TORP

is set solidly in place. You will probably not notice

much difference in after surgery restrictions from a

regular ctoma surgery, I know I was restricted to not

doing any type of physical exertion for 6 weeks with

either type of surgery.

Not sure if it helps. Also, the prospect of hearing

again is extremely exciting for me. I too had

compensated, but it will be nice not to have to always

turn my head to see what people are saying, be able to

sit in the passenger seat of a car and actually hear

conversation, lie on my " good ear " on the couch while

watching tv and still actually hear the tv.

Laurel

--- mcguyver98 <mr@...> wrote:

>

> ,

>

> Thanks for being predictable!

>

> Dave, I just shot you an email where to send the

> $50.00.

>

> Rich

>

>

>

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > ,

>

=== message truncated ===

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi, . I went ten years without hearing in my left ear and just

had a prosthetic put in. I probably wouldn't have done it if I hadn't

also had to have another cholesteatoma removed (my otologist did both

at the same time). My attitude was partly due to the fact that I never

really found that hearing loss *that* debilitating - mostly an

inconvenience relating to keeping conversation partners on my hearing

side. But I was also fairly pessimistic about whether the prosthetic

would work. My surgeon at the time had tried it when I first had the

cholesteatoma episode and it didn't help at all. I think that

experience gave me an unrealistically negative view about the odds of

success of the reconstruction operation. And I was also a bit worried

about getting on a track where I would have to keep going in to get

the prosthesis adjusted. (Still am.)

But now, post-operation, it does seem that my prosthetic is working,

and it's pretty great. It's only been this week that I've really

started hearing in that ear again, but just in the last few days the

removal of the constant subtle stress of having to constantly maneuver

people to my hearing side or strain to figure out whether I'm

understanding them correctly has been very liberating. (My voice

sounds really strange though - I guess I'm going through the opposite

adjustment to the one that people make when they first lose their

hearing.)

I'll admit that I'm a bit anxious about it as well. I kind of liked

having the option of retreating into silence just by leaning on my

good ear. The idea that I'm now constantly exposed to all the sounds

of the world, like it or not, feels slightly oppressive to me. But I

suppose earplugs can be used in both ears, right?

The surgery recovery was less awful than I remembered. (I think I just

got really sick of them after my third.) Four days of feeling really

bad, another week or so of feeling iffy, and since then I have trouble

remembering I'm supposed to be careful.

Hope that helps.

>

> So my surgeon is telling me that he could improve my hearing with

> prosthetics, but that it would be a longer recovery time (I think he

> said 3 weeks). I'm not sure what is involved in the recovery time,

> but I think from reading the boards it means no picking up of heavy

> toddler-sized objects for 3 weeks? (My daughter is 17 months and 24

lbs.)

>

> This is probably a weird question for most of you - but I was born

> with congenital ctoma...and I don't ever remember having significant

> hearing in that ear...so it's really a question of what am I missing?

> lol I guess it's a question of a lifetime of potentially better

> hearing vs 3 weeks of inconvenience, but I'm also afraid of any future

> surgeries prompted by failed prosthesis. (I've seen a few posts

> recently mentioning surgery to redo prosthesis.)

>

> Are there any prosthesis-specific questions I should ask my surgeon?

> He'd be putting in prosthesis in for two of the three hearing bones,

> that's pretty much the extent of my knowledge on the topic.

>

> Thanks, everyone! I learn a lot from this thread.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have had several surgeries and each one the recovery time was different. I have had a few surgeries with prosthetics and again each one was different. Each prosthetic and surgery was different.

My Otologist gave me a list of things to avoid and would tell me for how long after each surgery. If I remember correcctly they were all a little different. The main concern for me was to reduce the chance that the prosthetic didn't move out of the position that the Dr put it in. I have had a Ctoma move a Prosthetic and I had another one move and I can't remember how. I think it somehow happened with the previous Surgeon I had.

, do what your Dr tells you to do. 3 weeks is nothing!!! I wish you the best.

Ingrid

Re: Prosthetics...worth the 3 week recovery time?

Yes, Rich, you were rude. Calling my statements (or the statements ofmy surgeon, in whom I have confidence) "bulls**t" is rude, crass anduncalled for. Your continued condescending manner is equallyunwelcome. There are plenty of ways of educating people without thatsarcastic tone you've adopted. That's really all I have to say on thematter. If you want to continue YELLING at me, take it offline, please.> > > > > >> > > > > > So my surgeon is telling me that he could improve my hearing> with> > > > > > prosthetics, but that it would be a longer recovery time (I> > think he> > > > > > said 3 weeks). I'm not sure what is involved in the recovery> > time,> > > > > > but I think from reading the boards it means no picking up of> > heavy> > > > > > toddler-sized objects for 3 weeks? (My daughter is 17 months> > and 24> > > > > lbs.)> > > > > > > > > > > > This is probably a weird question for most of you - but I> was born> > > > > > with congenital ctoma...and I don't ever remember having> > significant> > > > > > hearing in that ear...so it's really a question of what am I> > > missing?> > > > > > lol I guess it's a question of a lifetime of potentially> better> > > > > > hearing vs 3 weeks of inconvenience, but I'm also afraidof any> > > future> > > > > > surgeries prompted by failed prosthesis. (I've seen a fewposts> > > > > > recently mentioning surgery to redo prosthesis.)> > > > > > > > > > > > Are there any prosthesis-specific questions I should ask my> > > surgeon? > > > > > > He'd be putting in prosthesis in for two of the three hearing> > bones,> > > > > > that's pretty much the extent of my knowledge on the topic.> > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks, everyone! I learn a lot from this thread.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > >> >>

Need Mail bonding?Go to the Q & A for great tips from Answers users.

[Guest guest]

Well I would just like to say this type of posting is not helping anyone with regard to Ctoma diagnosis, recovery, or surgical questions. I would save this banter for the Wrestling forum, which I am sure they have some type of group dedicated to "wrestling online"???? who knows. But with regard to healing, the bones in the ear are extremely delicate and you are correct can take a long time to heal. It holds true with any injury, it heals itself in due time and only your body knows that. Not your doctor, not any of us here posting, just you. After your procedure, just be cautious, dont lift heavy objects, dont bend over head first - squat, sleep sitting up in bed for a while...cant tell you how many sleepless nights i have gotten there (the pressure with you laying flat is not good for post-operative surgery) you will definetly know when you have done too much...the pressure in your head will let

you know. At least this has been my experience with CTOMA and bone replacement surgery. In the end its great once it works...to be able to hear again and not always saying, "excuse me", "i beg your pardon", "what did you say", is FABULOUS!!! Take care and keep posting EVERYONE, it helps us all heal listening to other stories. mcguyver98 <mr@...> wrote: ,Thanks for being predictable!Dave, I just shot you

an email where to send the $50.00.Rich> > > > > > >> > > > >

> > So my surgeon is telling me that he could improve my hearing> > with> > > > > > > prosthetics, but that it would be a longer recovery time (I> > > think he> > > > > > > said 3 weeks). I'm not sure what is involved in the recovery> > > time,> > > > > > > but I think from reading the boards it means no pickingup of> > > heavy> > > > > > > toddler-sized objects for 3 weeks? (My daughter is 17 months> > > and 24> > > > > > lbs.)> > > > > > > > > > > > > > This is probably a weird question for most of you - but I> > was born> > > > > > > with congenital ctoma...and I don't ever remember having> > > significant> > > > > > > hearing in that ear...so it's really a

question of what am I> > > > missing?> > > > > > > lol I guess it's a question of a lifetime of potentially> > better> > > > > > > hearing vs 3 weeks of inconvenience, but I'm also afraid> of any> > > > future> > > > > > > surgeries prompted by failed prosthesis. (I've seen a few> posts> > > > > > > recently mentioning surgery to redo prosthesis.)> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Are there any prosthesis-specific questions I should ask my> > > > surgeon? > > > > > > > He'd be putting in prosthesis in for two of the threehearing> > > bones,> > > > > > > that's pretty much the extent of my knowledge on the topic.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks,

everyone! I learn a lot from this thread.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > >> >> > > > > > >__________________________________________________________> Finding fabulous fares is fun. > Let FareChase search your favorite travel sites to findflight and hotel bargains.> http://farechase./promo-generic-14795097>

Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out

new cars at Autos.

[Guest guest]

You don't think that reconstruction restored your hearing well? Isn't

a prothesis supposed to restore hearing to normal in a month or so

after it's performed? How long did you go before you had your hearing

fixed?

Hi Millie

No, my restored hearing was far better than expected. The thing is that many

people who have had lifelong ear disease willprobably have mixed hearing

loss. So in my case I had total conductive loss plus some nerve loss. You

obviously never regain hearing due to nerve loss. Directly before that

surgery my showed 100 decibel loss (which is considered profound),

afterwards it was 50db (which counts as moderate). It's a huge improvement

but not exactly perfect hearing.

The reconstruction was fairly involved since there were no remaining bones

or eardrum to work with therefore they needed to insert a small piston as

well as torp. I didn't have to wait for the hearing to work either - the

surgeon came in while I was in the recovery room and scratched the dressing

over the ear and could hear it. Previously I'd always been deaf in that ear.

Phil

--

No virus found in this outgoing message.

Checked by AVG Free Edition.

Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.4.0/759 - Release Date: 12/04/07 19:58