Pain is usually minimal since there are only a small number of pain nerve endings in the head. Nevertheless, you may experience headaches and other tenderness in the area that was affected.
The initial incisions on your head may be sore for about a week afterwards. You may have some mild headaches for a period of about 4-8 weeks as well. If you experience any severe or unusual side effects post-surgery, you should seek immediate, emergency medical care.
During surgery this system is broken and the pressure can drop, causing a “low pressure” headache. The trauma of surgery can also cause swelling around the brain; this can cause raised pressure within the head, causing a “high pressure” headache. Pressure headaches do not usually respond to everyday painkillers.
If your surgeon is only performing a biopsy, the surgery typically takes 2-3 hours. If your surgeon is performing a craniotomy and removal of your tumor, the surgery typically takes 4-6 hours. If your surgeon using a transsphenoidal approach to remove your tumor, the surgery typically takes 3-4 hours.
Brain surgery might sound like a frightening procedure, but it is quite safe. Doctors who carry out these surgeries are very skilled specialists. You can share any concerns with your doctors and cancer nurse specialist. They will be able to tell you what will happen during the operation.
Some people recover well after brain surgery, but this can take some time. Other people have some problems, or long term difficulties. The problems you may have depends on the area of the brain where the tumour was (or still is if you only had part of the tumour removed).
What happens after brain surgery? After your surgery, you'll stay in the hospital for observation. For less invasive procedures like endovascular surgery, you might only need to stay for one to two days. But after an open craniotomy, you might need to stay in the hospital for up to 10 days.
At six months, about 60% of TBI patients can walk again. After one year, speech and cognitive abilities will have significantly improved.
Disinhibition. A common change early in recovery is disinhibition, that is, loss of control over behaviour, resulting in socially inappropriate behaviour. This ranges from a tendency to divulge personal information too freely, to disturbing and unpredictable outbursts of uncontrolled rage.
Brain tissue doesn't have any pain fibers, so while you may feel pressure or vibrations from the surgery, you shouldn't feel pain. We use a local anesthetic (similar to those used at a dentist's office) to numb the muscles, skin and bone that the surgeon has to cut through to get to the brain.
Possible risks of brain surgery are: Problems with speech, memory, muscle weakness, balance, vision, coordination, and other functions. These problems may last a short while or they may not go away. Blood clot or bleeding in the brain.
On average, brain surgery long-term survival rate can be between 50-70% except in cases of malignant tumors where chances are lowered. In cases of brain operation performed for non-tumor related brain damage, the chances of survival are significantly enhanced.
You are likely to feel drowsy and sleepy after you wake up. This is normal and it happens because of the anaesthetic and painkillers. You, or your relatives, may also notice that your head or face are swollen and bruised. This swelling will go down over time.
The surgical removal by and large is the most effective treatment of brain tumor. With early treatment, more than 85% of patients survive for 5 years. The chances of survival are dropped to 40 % in case of late-stage cancers, when the tumor is large and cannot be removed surgically.
You may also be linked to a machine that controls your breathing (ventilator) to give your brain a chance to recover. The amount of time it takes to wake up after surgery varies. Many people wake up very soon afterwards, but some people remain unconscious for a number of hours or a few days.
A major surgery and its treatments can cause changes in a personality and ability to think. Patients may experience challenges with their communication, concentration, memory and emotional abilities. Most brain tumor patients exhibit signs that are consistent with depression and agitation, especially post surgery.
Traditionally, patients stay one night in intensive care and, if doing well, will be transferred out to a regular hospital room the next day. A majority of the IVs and monitors, such as the bladder catheter, are usually removed on the morning following surgery. You will be allowed to eat a regular breakfast.
You'll be sedated and sleepy while part of your skull is removed in the beginning of the surgery, and also when doctors reattach the skull at the end of the surgery. During the surgery, your anesthesiologist will stop administering the sedative medications and allow you to wake up.
You will need to have someone to stay with you after you go home until you feel safe to be alone for at least a few days after your surgery. Work with your health care team to determine how long you may need support and what supports are available in the community.
Not everyone needs to have their hair shaved before surgery. It depends on where the tumour is and the type of operation you have. Ask your surgeon what is going to happen in your situation. If you do need to have your hair shaved, you might have part of your head shaved, or the whole head.
Avoid heavy lifting until your doctor says it is okay. Do not drive until your doctor says it is okay. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to travel by plane. Avoid risky activities, such as climbing a ladder, until your doctor says it is okay.
The scar may not completely go away, but it will fade into the surrounding skin. The time it takes for a scar to heal may differ for each person, but in many cases, a scar will flatten and soften within 6 months after surgery.