Chiari Malformation Surgery

[patman817]

I have Chiari Malformation with a 5-6mm herniation I go see a neurosurgeon in the Morning and i was wanting to know When a surgeon Says LIKELY plan for surgery does that LIKELY does that mean surgeon wants to help?

[selmaS]

  I just bumped it up....but to  find any thread you can use the search this community feature at the top of the forum..it is a link button that looks like a magnifying glass.

[patman817]

how do i get to the surgery date thread

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Likely could mean once the Dr has tested you for ALL related conditions and if surgery will prove beneficial for you....not everyone with Chiari needs surgery  or at least not right when it is found.....

I would get a few opinions not just one and would deff research your Dr and make sure ALL related conditions are ruled out.

Do add your surgery date to the surgery date thread if you would like a Prayer thread posted. Wishing you all the best.!

[Lottida]

Sending you best wishes & I hope that your surgery goes well!!!!  Keep us posted on your recovery progress :-)

[patman817]

surgery scheduled July 15th. I am already quite nervous

[Lottida]

Just wondering if you are having any symptoms or is this something that was found accidently??  You will definitely need MRIs of the entire spine & a CSF flow study to determine if you have blockage of CSF or any syrinx.  If a doc tells you that you LIKELY need surgery, I would get a 2nd opinion just to be sure.   The NS will review your symptoms, neuro assessment, & MRI results to help with your decision.  Surgery doesn't always resolve all symptoms & often symptoms can reappear later despite surgery.  Its definitely a big decision because Crainiectomy can have major complications as can any surgery!!!   I am almost 3 1/2 weeks post op of my 2nd surgery because I had a durapatch leak 5 weeks after my 1st surgery.  I do however (despite having to have 2 brain surgeries in 9 weeks) feel wonderful & would do it all over again!!!!  You will have to educate yourself as much as you can on Chiari & all related conditions so that you can know if your NS is knowledgeable also.   Keep us posted on what your NS says & Good luck!!!

[patman817]

The surgeon is here in fort worth at a hospital called JPS

[Dloshaw]

Research him good. Make sure if you let him cut in your head, he better be good. I like dr. Seiff in Las Vegas. He mine and he  was wonderful. A lot of my symptoms away. Good luck