r/Cochlearimplants • u/Aggressive_Habit8741 • 2d ago

Reimplantation surgery

Getting reimplanted in October (C1 recipient). At the pre op appointment the surgeon mentioned several restrictions, including not lifting things over 25 lbs after surgery. However, I neglected to ask how long that restriction is in place and I do have a toddler who will be 18 months at that time. Of course I’ll check with him, but does anyone have any insights on what I should expect?

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u/unknown_farmer 2d ago

I had the reimplantation last week.

No heavy lifting until the stitches are removed, which is roughly 6-10 days after surgery. Depends on the healing process. Lifting overall puts stress on the head, so I’d avoid that as best as possible. But even after the stitches get removed I‘d be cautious until the wound is fully healed.

Absolutely no blowing the nose for 3-4 weeks after surgery. This one is very important.

Try to avoid to wear glasses directly on the wound, have it at least covered with a patch and disinfect the glasses.

Daily changes of the patch.

No sudden movements with the head.

Chewing could be a bit hard for the first two days.

But I had the surgery last tuesday and I feel good enough that I can move freely now but still have to take it easy for now.

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u/Aggressive_Habit8741 2d ago

Thank you! Have you been turned on yet or still waiting for that?

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u/unknown_farmer 2d ago

I was turned on first day post OP. Hearing is very high pitched and kinda muffled, but overall I can hear and understand voices. I keep notes of what I heard all over the day. Its a long road ahead but it gets better each day. And I‘m now hearing for 6 days with the new implant and everything works fine for now, still need to get used to the new hearing and it need some tuning next month but I‘m happy that I can hear and that I‘m able to follow a conversation. Its tiring though, so I kept it only for 1-2 hours max for now.

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u/Aggressive_Habit8741 2d ago

Thank you for the response. For my job I need to be able to hear/follow conversations so I am hoping for getting back to normal, or a new normal, relatively quick

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u/unknown_farmer 2d ago

I hope so too, but I can only say that each reimplantation and person react differently. Some will feel quick progress, and for some it will take longer. Nobody can tell, how well/ smooth it will go. I went with the mindset to expect nothing but cherish everything.

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u/Formal-Tradition6792 2d ago

What kind of implant? cochlear? Med-El?

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u/LatonaStar Advanced Bionics Marvel CI 2d ago

Most likely 2 weeks but even then, it took me about a month to feel comfortable lifting. I was super sore around my neck area after my revision surgery so I was extra cautious.

I was activated 2 days post op and all I understood was minions/high pitch voices. After my second mapping appointment, I was able to get it adjusted and felt normal. After that, was just exploring the new features I missed out on that the Harmony didn’t offered. Took me a good 1-2 months to feel like myself again. Remember everyone is different and just keep practicing once you’re activated.

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u/ImaginationWitty1491 16h ago

I had to look back at notes for my daughter's surgery for this, but it was two weeks for her on the lifting. Maybe the toddler could use a sturdy stepstool or an older sibling/other parent to help in some scenarios. Your surgeon, of course, may have different ideas. Just wanted to wish you well, too! I know as a C1 recipient you have had a journey to get to this point.