Ear operation - am I right to be scared?

[Markytop]

Have just found out that I have a Cholesteatoma within my middle ear that needs to be removed, along with some of the little bones in the ear around it. While I have had the process fully explained by the surgeon and I trust him fully, (despite him being the spitting image of Moby!) the process of cutting into the side of my head and removing things and replacing bits with titanium or ceramic bones is frankly scaring the hell out of me.

Just wondering if anyone had been through the situation before, and can give any real-world examples of recovery times etc, what I am likely to be feeling in the days/weeks after the operation.

I know it needs doing for long term health reasons, so its not like I am going to back out of it, and I certainly don't want to go through the pain and hassle of the ear infection I have just been through again. Just looking for some comfort and real-world experiences.

Ironic thing is my standard answer when friends and colleague asked how things were after a visit to the doctors with the ear infection in the last few weeks was "amputation is the only answer.." - turns out I was not far wrong

[WinstonWolf]

Just found this, I had one removed along with the bones and eardrum. It's kinda sucky but better than being dead. Having a reconstruction with a titanium prosthesis next week to hopefully regain some of my hearing in the affected ear. Mono with tinnitus sucks...