Have anyone did Stapedectomy at RSCH, Guildford?

Hi there.  I havent had any surgery where you hope to have yours done, but Im going to follow your progress, as I too have otosclerosis (not bilateral thank goodness, but one side is bad enough!!) I have had otosclerosis for twenty odd years, but its only been in last six months that my hearing in right ear has deteriorated quite rapidly.  Got appointment at local hospital in March.  Bit disappointed as I wanted a referral to ENT hospital in London, but apparently you have to go via local hospital first, then they refer you.  So, its going to be a bit drawn out but I'll get there in the end!!

Keep posting how you get on.  Im hoping for a stapedectomy too.  Done alot of research into it, and am keen now to have it.  Much more of a success rate too.

When is your op booked for?  I presume they will do one at a time?  

Im interested in how you get on.

Good luck   Wendy

Mine was done in Southampton, they are very good there. Bit of a big place and lots going on, but they do help well. I'm on day 4 after the op and all I'm getting is a very very loud "heartbeat" noise in my ear this morning, it won't stop, driving me insane.

Hi m01805, I had a Stapedectomy carried out on my right ear at RSCH 4 weeks ago by Mr Valentine. I must say that I have found him to be very good; approachable, easy to understand with good explanation of the procedure, and considerate of my views.

I have had Otosclerosis for over 25 years in both ears and wear bi-lateral hearing aids. As I have a mixed hearing loss this op is merely to allow me to keep using aids a bit longer.

The op apparently "went well" and I have had no pain at all. I cant say if it has improved my hearing yet until I can have my aid in again at the 6 week point, however tests at home would indicate my hearing has improved considerably.

The one thing I would say having done a lot of research and reading online about post-op recovery is that it often paints a very rosy picture of recovery in a few days and even one I read said "back to work in a week" - Certainly not my experience !!

I had bad vertigo and dizziness(no sickness with it though) that lasted for 10 - 12 days before it started to slowly improve, plus some tinnitus that I did not have before.

I had the packing removed after 14 days, had some irrigation done and prescribed ear drops for 2 weeks. No infections or other complications. It was 3 weeks before I felt able to drive, and then only short distances.

Now at 4 weeks, the vertigo has pretty much gone, but not completely, but I do feel it is very slowly getting better, and I am hopeful that by the 6 week post op appointment it will have gone altogether.

Despite my slow recovery, I guess everybody will be different, I would have the other ear done in time and would want to have it done again at RSCH.

Hope this helps.