I just got home from my trip to UNC. I had bilateral surgery with Dr. Hackman. Before I forget anything, I want to document it all for those still searching for answers. I am a 63-year-old female. I think I am in good shape and frankly I don’t know how I am all of a sudden 63 years old, but I am. First off, UNC hospital is great, very well-oiled machine. Everyone is so friendly and efficient. I met Dr. Hackman on Tuesday, and he did the surgery at 11:45 am on Wednesday. I brought my CD scans with me, which was helpful so please make sure to do that. I had had other tests done in South Florida, ordered by a different doctor and they proved to be very helpful for him to help diagnose me. I was hoping he would come back in the room and tell me, you’re fine, go home, no need for surgery. HA! But not the case. My styloids were long, which I knew, and they were pressing a bit on the carotid artery, which explained the incredible pressure I felt every time I stood up. I had that condition for so long, I thought it was normal. I thought everyone had pressure upon standing. He told me NO, that is not normal. I told him about the nagging pain in my ear and about my heart skipping beats and sometimes feeling like I was going to faint. I had a host of other issues as well that weren’t as prevalent. He said that 85% of his patients get cured from all those symptoms and 15% say that they still have issues. I was hoping to be in that 85%. The surgery went well. I was about 1.5 hours long. I stayed in recovery for a while until a room was available. They moved me to a private room around 8 pm that evening and I was discharged around 10 am the next day. My right ear hurt quite a bit, and it felt completely full. I told Dr. Hackman’s assistant, but he said to go buy ear wax removal kit. Blood and fluid dripped in during surgery and would not come out. But as you may know, those kits take 3 days to work. My ear issue continued for 2 more days, and I just took myself to an urgent care by my hotel and had them remove wax and now it’s fine. I would not have been able to fly if I didn’t do that. That is the only discomfort that I had. He said soft food for 2 weeks. It is quite hard to eat but after the 3rd day, I am able to move my jaw a lot better, and I have figured out how to eat without extreme pain in the jaw. Just go slow, take small bites and don’t move your tongue around too much.
I have stiches on both sides of my neck and in front of each ear. I was not nervous at all before the procedure, but that is just how I am. I don’t stress over things that I know have to be done. I can tell you, there was nothing bad about the whole trip. I was there from Monday to Saturday. Spent the first 2 days walking around the UNC campus and surrounding shops and restaurants on Franklin Street. Now that the surgery is done, I can say that my ear that had hurt continuously for the last year, is now fine, no more pressure in the back of my head when I stand up, no more head pain on the back of my head when I wake up. I am happy to say that I am in the 85% group. Dr. Hackman is the man. Don’t worry about anything.
As for the cost of things: I have Aetna insurance, and it paid 100%. That was my main worry, not knowing what it would cost and how much was covered. The bill was $50K. I paid $250 deductible and $500 for the office visit. As for the post op, the stitches will dissolve in 2 weeks, and they have glue over them so showering in not an issue. I did not need a wheelchair at the airport. I did not have any pain. I took Tylenol for 2 days and that is all I needed. I could have flown home the day after surgery, but I gave myself an extra day because I just didn’t know what to expect. It was good that I did add the extra day because of my ear issue that I experienced. If it weren’t for that, I would say the day after surgery is fine to get on a plane. I put gauze and then beige bandage tape over the stitches so I wouldn’t scare people. I also pulled my jacket zipper all the way up and it hid the scars. I am full of energy that I have not had in a long time.
If someone has other questions that I may not have answered please ask. Wishing all those still waiting all the best and don’t be afraid. Getter done!
@Erin1 - I had you on my mind today & was going to check in to see how your surgery went. Thank you for your very positive update! I’m glad, too, that you’re in the 85% not the 15%.
It sounds like it went quite well. I’m really glad to hear you’re feeling very good so soon after surgery! I do need to tell you that symptoms can come & go repeatedly for a number of months post op so don’t be discouraged if some symptoms come back over the next few weeks/months as that’s part of the nerve healing process. In a few cases we’ve had members like you who’ve felt really good very soon after surgery & haven’t had symptoms come back as I mentioned. I hope that will be your recovery story. If you do have some future pain, ice or heat will most likely be helpful.
Yes, I remember you saying that. I’m sure I’ll have up and down days. It was just great to notice that the nagging inner ear dull ache was gone. The heart flutters have subsided quite a bit. It’s only been 5 days, but I do notice a difference. I had gotten so used to it. I am remaining very optimistic and hoping the symptoms just disappear. Thanks for all the guidance.
Wow, great that you’re doing so well so soon after surgery! Thank you very much for sharing your experience, I’m sure it’ll be helpful & encouraging for others… I had a completely blocked ear after my second surgery too, & presumed maybe they’d sloshed the iodine around a bit too much, I went to the GPs to get mine checked like you did but mine was all clear, so I guess it was a nerve thing, it resolved in a couple of weeks!
Hopefully you won’t get any symptoms back and that you have a smooth recovery! Hugs and prayers
Oh, that’s good to know. The doctor at the urgent care took out some wax and flying wasn’t too much of an issue but I do notice that it still feels full. So, hopefully in time that will subside.
Congrats on a successful surgery! Do you have any ear numbness? It’s one thing I’ve worried about with the incision near the ear, but I’m not sure if Dr. Hackman cuts the greater auricular nerve which impacts the earlobe.
I don’t have any numbness in either earlobe. The only part that is still numb is the little triangle tab part right next to the incision. It is less numb today than it was just after surgery, so I imagine that numbness will go away in time.
Good that’s improving already @Erin1 !
I don’t think that Dr Hackman routinely cuts the auricular nerve @blue , if I remember right it’s maybe Dr Costantino that some members have said does this during surgery…
Hi Erin - I’m so happy to see you had a good outcome! I’ll be traveling from Oregon to see Dr. Hackman in January so I appreciate hearing you felt well enough to travel. That part has concerned me since it will be a long trip home for me. Take care!
Hi @Erin1 Glad to hear you are doing well post surgery. It’s stressful dealing with this as I found out in March/April, but decided to try to live with the symptoms. However, I need to get the surgery - there is no use dealing with the pain. Did you have to fly out to see Dr. Hackman before flying out for your surgery or have a telephonic call with him? I’m confirmed bi-lateral and know I need at least 1 removed. Does Dr. Hackman only do the surgery from the outside (cutting near the ear)? I’m contemplating going to Dr. Hackman or seeing a local doctor in Jacksonville, Dr. Fernandez who has been mentioned a few times on here. Thanks
Hi. He doesn’t do phone consults, so yes, you need to fly there. I met him the day before the surgery. He cut along the front of each ear and on both sides of my neck. The cuts in my neck are about 4 to 5 inches.
Dr. Hackman is very thorough, @Kiki67. He’ll do a great job for you & you’ll be done w/ ES! Bilateral recovery is a little slower up front & more painful but it’s great not needing to go through recovery twice so is worth it as far as I’m concerned. I’m sorry this is round 2 for you though.
@Lindsay - Dr. Hackman sometimes only needs to do the incisions in front of the ears & not those in the neck. It depends on how long the styloids & calcified stylohyoid ligaments are as to whether he does both. The incision by the ear allows him to cut the styloid very close to the skull base & the neck incision allows him to remove longer, lower down sections of calcified styloid/s-h ligament.
