Blog 9. Implant Day.

Implant Day

It was a very early start for us to be at Bristol Royal Infirmary by 7.15am but following the pre-op day everything seemed familiar and we were soon called from the waiting area to a bed in a preparation area where I was put through the usual checks before dressing in an hospital gown, my dressing gown and slippers. During this time I was attended by two very pleasant nurses and met the registrar, the anaesthetist and Mr Robinson, the consultant who would be inserting the implant. Eventually the moment arrived and as the theatre was just along the corridor I followed a nurse on foot to find myself in the high-tech world of an operating theatre.  I was invite to lie on a bed/trolley and the anaesthetist told me that he would send me off gently as he inserted a cannula.  That was very true. I was able to scan the whole of the room as people prepared for the operation and as I did so a gentle sleep overcame me.

I awoke gently too with an oxygen mask on, a blood pressure monitor squeezing my arm and my finger hot with the pulse monitor. It took about fifteen minutes to become fully alert when all of the accessories were removed. I felt no discomfort at all but my head was in a huge bandage.  I was given the option of going home the same day and I chose it. So off to x-ray next to check that all was in the right place and then I was parked in another ward waiting for the bandage to be removed after four hours. I think I was in theatre for two and a half hours. My wife returned from a shopping trip in Bristol and at 3.30pm the bandage was removed and I was discharged with a strange hairdo and a pack of antibiotics. There was a slight ache at the site of the incision but nothing more and I was able to walk easily. All of the people I met were simply fantastic. They were friendly, informative, patient and kind and most of all involved me in what was going on. I felt in a way part of the team and valued as an individual. As I write this on the day after the implant I feel very well. I had a restless night’s sleep because, in my opinion, I had had a good sleep under the anaesthetic so didn’t feel tired.  The only after effect I can record is that my sense of taste has altered.  Things taste slightly metallic so less appetising and my tongue tingles very slightly especially on the right side. Perhaps it will wear off.  It will take a few weeks for the wound to heal completely before I return for the switch on. I’m feeling very positive about that.  As for the incision – it seems to be about three to four inches long and curving round behind my ear.  There are stitches in place and on top some sort of tape.  The weird hair do was caused by the use of gel which was used to sweep my hair upwards away from the cut.  In order to wash my hair I cover the ear with a plastic cup and by doing this my hair was restored to normality. They did a great job of minimising the cosmetic damage and I reckon most people would not notice that I’d had the operation.