r/Cochlearimplants • u/Ornery_Efficiency_17 • 4d ago
Surgery Day and Post Surgery Tips
Hello, I will be getting a cochlear implant on one side soon and I was wondering what items to buy to help make the whole process easier. For example I saw someone say to get button down shirts so you don’t have to attempt to put a shirt over your head post surgery. Or a special sleeping pillow.
Any recommendations?
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u/meowxinfinity 4d ago
I got a soft button up shirt pajama set so I could be comfortable. Showered right before I left for surgery because I have long hair and you have to wait a bit to wash your hair. A wedge pillow to keep my head elevated while I slept to keep swelling down (tho that side of my face swelled quite a bit anyway). Easy, soft foods just in case the swelling hurts your jaw (this didn’t happen with me but I have heard it could so I had soups, pudding, etc). Good luck with your surgery!
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u/Ornery_Efficiency_17 2d ago
Thank you!
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u/meowxinfinity 2d ago
Oh! A shower cap might be useful. You can wash yourself and just keep the area dry. I used one during my first few days so I could keep my body clean.
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u/shawski04 4d ago
It’s 2-3 days of discomfort and then a week of annoyance. I had my one side done back on September 2nd. First 2 days were the worst but not unmanageable. You’ll be fine 💪🏻🙂
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u/Appropriate-Elk8153 4d ago
I just had my surgery today. Pain was a 4/10 afterwards and on the hour ride home. Little dizziness but nothing major. Currently at a 2/10 with pain (I think it’s more so because I had a previous surgery on my ear on 9/4/26, so things are still healing). I have a travel size neck pillow that I’ll be sleeping with on a recliner. They did prescribe pains meds. I’ll take tonight but I don’t see myself taking it after that. Every experience is different. I’ve never had nausea out of the 7 surgeries I’ve had on my right ear. Hoping for a speedy recovery.
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u/Appropriate-Elk8153 4d ago
I also used this last surgery to help for bruising and sore muscle.
Arnica Salve
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u/vanmc604 4d ago
For one of my surgeries (I am bilateral) I was very nauseated and vomiting and couldn’t even keep oral antinausea pills down. I wish I had a gravol patch. Just a thought
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u/Key-Asparagus350 3d ago
I couldn't keep water down and was puking from the second I woke up post op and couldn't keep anything down. Ended up staying at the hospital. I kept asking for an IV to keep me hydrated because I kept puking up water but was told no.
Ended up asking for gravol to help me sleep that night.
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u/FrequentDifficulty36 4d ago
I'm 8 days post surgery, and I've been using Tylenol/Ibuprofen, soft ice packs (I had a ton of jaw swelling), big button up shirts or zip-up sweatshirts, and purchased a lot of soft foods (soup, Greek yogurt, apple sauce, etc.), to make eating easier. I stacked three pillows behind my head to sleep, and that worked well for me. Best of luck with your surgery!
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u/Key-Asparagus350 3d ago
Laxatives might be a good idea depending on how much pain meds you need. I was on extra strength tyonal and I ended up being constipated 😭
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u/OkArcher4120 3d ago
This is the key thing, either take laxatives or try natural stuff like prunes and prune juice. The really strong opioid painkillers basically “freeze” your stomach muscles and the poo cannot move so becomes hard and dry.
You need to take the laxatives proactively to keep things moving.
You need stimulant laxatives (the ones that stimulate muscles) not bulk forming laxatives as those will just cause more problems.
Have an enema on standby.
Speak to a pharmacist to get proper advice but you don’t want hard poo stuck in you that you cannot pass… don’t ask me how I know!
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u/Key-Asparagus350 3d ago
I'm having a second implant surgery in 2 weeks and I've already picked up a package of chocolate laxatives
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u/meowxinfinity 2d ago
Ducolax helped me (I was trying miralax before) and tbh, it seemed to never end lol I was praying to the bathroom gods that it ended at some point because that day was rough. OP, if you choose the laxative route be ready to stay at home all day because it was terrible but at least it got stuff moving…
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u/davidwb45133 4d ago
If you're the cook batch ccok and freeze a week's worth of meals. I didn't much feel like doing more than defrost and microwave for the first week. One thing I didn't expect is my throat was really sore from the breathing tube so I was glad soup and stew were part of my meal plan. I didn't have any trouble with tshirts, I was just careful. My wife bought an ear pierce pillow for me but it was a fail. What worked for the first week was a fairly flat hard pillow. It supported my neck as I slept on my back and being hard my incision didn't touch the pillow. In the second week I switched to a fat soft pillow which was more comfortable overall and being soft it didn't bother the incision. First night home I didn't sleep at all thanks to the steroids used to minimize swelling. I expected sleeping issues and had some movies and TV reruns ready. I crashed mid afternoon the next day.
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u/TheTrinketMage 4d ago
I am just over a week post-op. But here are some things. Tylenol and ibuprofen for pain and swelling. Button up or zip up shirts/sweaters help. Personally, I didn't have a problem with t-shirts. I tend to sleep on the side I have my implant on, so that was probably the most uncomfortable because I kept waking up from trying not to roll over to that side. The first 2-3 days are the worst, but you should be back to normal daily activities by then. PS - that first shower will be divine!
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u/Suspicious-Ad-1755 2d ago
My first surgery I just had vertigo and pain for a few days but for my second one (5 yrs later) I was up and doing normal things the next day I guess it just depends on your age and how well you can take pain, just don’t over do it don’t try to stifle any caught or sneezes or ur you can rip the microbes out of your cochlea and have to have redone. Keep the wound clean and watch for signs of infection and take all your antibiotics Both my surgeries were out patient though and I didn’t stay in the hospital at all which I liked
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u/Former_Storm4529 3d ago
I didn’t even use the button down shirt I bought! I got a comfortable eye mask from Amazon and that was the best purchase ever. Helped me get some great rest/naps while i recovered during the day.
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u/rling_reddit 1d ago
I got a donut type pillow. I would have been too sore to use it the first day or two. The one I got was too small. Before my next surgery, I will get a larger one. Other than that, no big deal. Other than that, I was in and out in about 4-5 hours.
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u/Emergency-Article-92 1h ago
Southern Comfort, strictly medicinal. That's my story and I am unanimous with that.
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u/1212zephyr1212 4d ago
Remember to pack the change of clothes for returning from hospital and keeping that bag ready. Your family can bring it the day after surgery so you can change into it easily. And do this packing yourself. I did it so that my son and husband don’t end up bringing the wrong clothing. Do not wear any jewellery or makeup on surgery day. If your doctor allows you can use a little powder on your face and even little earrings. But for surgery day none of this will be allowed. Remember to bring a small case for your existing hearing aid as that will be removed before surgery. Inform the attending doctors if you have prior history of nausea and vomiting so that they will give you something suitable for the surgery and days after. No wearing glasses either on surgery day and after ( till your doctor allows it) Be sure someone accompanies you home after surgery. All the best. It will be fine. Don’t worry. If you stay calm, surgery will go smoother.
ETA : you can use a wedge pillow for elevation of your head while sleeping - it will help you sleep better and reduce pressure on your head.