Brain surgery is a big operation and you need to rest afterwards. For the first few days, your nurses will help you to avoid straining. Straining might raise the pressure inside your skull. Depending on your operation, you might need to lie flat for a few days.
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).
How Long Does It Take to Recover After Brain Surgery? In total, it typically takes about 4-8 weeks to make a full recovery from a brain surgery. 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.
Spasticity. When a brain injury disrupts the connection between the brain and the muscles, the brain can no longer send signals to the muscles telling them when to contract. As a result, spasticity and muscle tightness can set in, making walking after brain injury much more difficult.
After a craniotomy, the bone flap will mend itself over time and partially heal back into the rest of the skull bone within 2 to 3 months. Full recovery can take a few months and depends on the underlying condition that was treated.
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.
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.
Brain surgery - or even receiving a diagnosis of brain disease - can change someone's personality, pretty much like any psychological trauma. Brain surgery that most often result in depressed patients who are with high levels of anxiety caused by the surgery.
It is possible for the brain to heal itself, with new brain cells growing to replace damaged ones, but much of the 'recovery' we experience is actually due to the brain 're-wiring' itself and finding new pathways to bypass recently-broken connections.
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.
Take a little time out each day to do something alone — take a bath, go for a walk, write in a journal, meditate. Take time out to do things you enjoy. Read a book, go dancing, watch a movie, etc. You'll be happier and better able to cope with life's stresses if you take time to do things you enjoy!
You may choose to wear a loose turban or hat over the incision. Don't wear a wig until the incision is completely healed (about 3 to 4 weeks after surgery).
It is widely believed that patients do not experience intense pain following intracranial surgery due to the fact that surgical treatment of the brain parenchyma is not painful. However, it is common practice to infiltrate the scalp with lidocaine plus epinephrine to reduce postoperative pain after craniotomy [9].
Fatigue is common in patients at 3 months after brain tumor surgery. Autonomic nervous system dysregulation is not directly related to fatigue. Longer sleep duration is associated with more physical fatigue. Multiple awakenings during the night are related to mental fatigue.
Craniotomy. A craniotomy is the most common type of operation for a brain tumour. You usually have a craniotomy under a general anaesthetic.
Summary. Conditions that require brain surgery include brain cancer, stroke and hydrocephalus. If left untreated, any condition requiring brain surgery can cause further damage to the brain. A craniotomy is an operation to open the skull in order to access the brain for surgical repair.
Craniotomy. The most common type of surgery to remove a brain tumor is a craniotomy. This procedure involves making an incision in the scalp and removing a piece of bone from the skull to give the neurosurgeon access to the tumor.
Although caffeine in moderate amounts is not dangerous after brain injury, patients should still do their best to avoid caffeinated drinks as much as possible. The brain easily builds up a tolerance to caffeine, which means the more you consume, the fewer benefits you will see.
Part of a successful brain surgery recovery is challenging your brain with cognitively stimulating or engaging tasks. Any activity that requires focus and engagement can give your brain a boost. Memory games, puzzles, painting, yoga and meditation – these activities have therapeutic value and aid in recovery.
For the first week after surgery, avoid heavy lifting (over 5 lbs), bending over and excessive straining. For the first two weeks after surgery, you should not drive or exercise, however, walking is encouraged.