POST DECOMPRESSION SURGERY SCHEDULED

[JSIBARRA]

I am feeling pretty scared now. I will have my surgery 1-2009. My NS made me feel very comfortable and explained everything about my symptoms and he the surgery to a tee. He told me my cerebellum is like a size 7 foot trying to squeeze into a size 5 shoe it is so compressed with pressure it needs to be aleviated if not the symptoms will become worse. He told me in the past 15-20 years he has done hundreds with most people(infants, young adults, elderly) coming back to thank him because the symptoms were practically gone. He did advise me I will be in pain/uncomfortable for the first couple of weeks especially the days after the surgery but I will be okay. I have checked his bio and he is one of few doctors in the city of San Antonio, Texas who specializes in this type of surgery. He has ordered another MRI and xrays before the surgery just for my peace of mind but he was very open to all my questions. I just am beginning to feel the fear of being put to sleep and something going wrong but I guess that's a risk in all surgeries. Any info or advise from anyone who's had this surgery please reply soon.  Thanks

[casort92]

hello
let me start by saying "the surgery is not that bad after all"
i had my chiari decompression on nov 14 and was home in 4 days. yes i was uncomfortable and on good pain meds. but the discomfort was mainly from the staples and some minor swelling in the face. after the staples came out i found i had blood clots in both legs(below the knee, thank god) and spent 4 more days in the hospital and will be on blood thinners for 6 months
now let me tell you that it's been 3 weeks and  other than some stiffness in the neck still and still some minor symptoms i feel awesome. i go for a follow up monday so i will see what they think about the remaining symptoms. but let me tell you i am for the first time in 10 years without a "HEADACHE" so if my hand still tremors and i have some tingling in my face well it was so worth missing thanksgiving with my family
i truely hope that a good outcome for one helps you in someway
cherrie

[Lovemygirls2]

Hey- Good luck with your surgery.  I know it is scary but what a blessing that you have a NS that is knowledgable and kind.  Many people on this forum have been bounced to several doctors still with no luck.  So- when I found a NS that was so good and confident-I was so grateful!  This is what got me through my surgery prep- I saw my NS and we scheduled my surgery for two months after my first appointment with him- so I had LOTS of time to think about the surgery and question things and WONDER....what if!  (Shane can agree with that- I drove him crazy in those two months)  :)  This is what I thought- I don't have a choice- the doctor told me- have surgery or you will get worse- you will eventually be paralyzed.  SO- there really was no choice!  So- the choice is made you might as well have a positive attitude about the surgery.  Chances are if you are like me- by the last couple days before the surgery I felt SO bad- they couldn't get me into surgery quick enough!  I was SO ready!  Now that I am 5 weeks post op- I feel better than I have felt in a year!!!!  All my symptoms are gone......seriously... ALL my symptoms are gone!  Now- I am not be like everyone else- but I am doing very well.  Just like Shane said- I was able to do alot at my follow up check up on Monday.  It's going to be great!  Just think you are a short month away from feeling tons better!  Its going to be a piece of cake- piece of chocolate cake!  :)  If you have any questions- just ask!
You will be in my prayers!

[Shane99]

Just try and relax. Everything will be fine. I've had the surgery and am here to talk (or type, I suppose) about it. I know it's scary, but soon a lot of your pain and problems will be gone . . .or at least the will be a lot less bothersome.

I'm 7 months post op and the whole thing is kind of surreal to me now - "Yes, I've had brain surgery, hasn't everyone?" I'm very blasè about it at this point.

Lovemygirls and I had lunch the other day, she's also recovering from surgery - she's less than 6 weeks post op, but was able to handle a 2 hour ride to Nashville, have an exam from our Doctor, meet with my wife and I for lunch, and then go shopping!

Everything will be fine :D

[selmaS]

I want to wish u all the best with ur surgery...I am still waiting on my appoint with the 3rd NS...this one is a chiari specialist!!.....Since I haven't had the surgery, I can only wish u luck and am glad u found a NS u r comfortable with.

Godspeed
"selma"