cataract and contacts

I am scheduled for Cataract surgery on my right eye. In this eye I have a severe cataract. My left eye is only showing very early signs of a cataract. I plan to have a mono-focal implant installed, answers  from my MD about the multi-focal IOL's gave me the impression that the these are really not were they need to be yet, and that the more guaranteed result is to go Mono. I am 49 and my contact correction is -8.5.
My question, to those who have had the procedure that mirrors what I will undergo is:
How is your vision post the surgery with a contact in one eye and an implant in the other, assuming good distance vision with the implant? What should I expect? Can and will I be able to see clearly without to much of a problem?
I need reading glasses with my contacts now, and will need them after. How is that working out. I read quite a bit and am worried that this will be a problem.  Will I need another implant,even if my eye is not bad in the left, just to balance me out? Thanks

[JodieJ]

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees.  I was about -7 in both eyes.  I had no problems with one eye corrected to plano by an IOL and a contact in my other eye.  The progressive reading glasses (with plano tops) I had worn over my contacts before cataract surgery worked fine afterward.  Wearing a contact lens in one eye works very well for most (but not all) people.  I've read posts from people who have worn a high minus contact lens in one eye for several years.  I chose to have my second eye done before a cataract developed because I hated inserting a contact first thing in the morning.  My insurance paid for the second surgery.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

See if you can tolerate a contact lens.  

Dr. O.