Recovery time after Surgery

I have a surgery coming on 10/27/09 regards to Chiari Malformation due to the car accident I was involved in January. I am so terrified by the surgery and I would like to know how long it will take to recover after surgery (Roughly). and if there is a ny side effect or complications after the surgery....My Dr. told me it is 50/50 chance and that terrified me evn the most...please advise me if you can. Only 5 days left to the surgery.

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the chiari forum.

Glad to have u here, sorry for the reasons. I am sure u have a top chiari dr to treat ur herniation......as to how long it takes to recover and complications all depend on the individual.We r all different going into surgery and will be different coming out.

Surgery is to help stop the progression of chiari symptoms. There is no cure.
I am not aware of ur history other than u were in a MVA and it triggerd ur chiari...what symptoms do u have and what besides the 50/50 chance ur dr is giving u, what else did they say?

"selma"

[redkim]

I was in ICU for 2.5 days and regular room for 2.  I was out of work for nine weeks.  By six months I was up to going to the gym and back to figure skating.

Like Selma said it won't cure you.  I opted for mine in the hopes that I wouldn't get worse or get permanent damage (or more permanent damage).

I don't know if I had any side effects, I do know that I feel better more days then not which was the opposite before the surgery.  I just posted a reply to Devin which is pretty long and explained the process from just before surgery (day of) to during and a bit after.

[soccero]

like they say everyone is different but I was in icu for 2 days and a regular room for 4 days I am 2 months out and not back to school but I feel like I am getting stronger each day.

Molly

[Neyklem]

My sympots are  many to mention but most are feeling weak in the head and face, pounding on the back of my head, dizzy most of the time, balck out few times a week, non stop headache, double vision, rigning on my right ear the most, nausea and vomiting few times a week. No taste on food, shooting pain on my right leg, arm and tingling on boths fingers, so painful to hold anything sometimes. Diffucult to sleep due to the headache, neck sweat every night now ..I can go on and on but my Dr. who has done this type of surgery for over 35 years, said recovery chance will be 50/50 but this suergery may not cure the ACM but it could help to reduce the pain.
I keep asking myself why I AM GOING THROUGH WITH THIS...I ma very confused but I can't bear the pain.

[selmaS]

Hi...I understand the symptoms and how all that feels and wanting to feel better...I just had my surgery in May.
U sound like u r comfortable with ur dr and what he has told u.

And there is no cure for chiari only treatment to help stop the progression,
Sounds like u did some research and I am glad u r here and I hope we r able to offer the support u seek.

"selma"

[Neyklem]

Thanks again for taking time to respond to my question. I am not myself right and I wish to erase the day of accident so I don't have to find out about ACM or surgery. Wish you all well !

[Neyklem]

I am glad to find this site, it gives me comfort when reading some posts and getting advise from others who went through this painfull experience.
I trust in my Dr. but I still question the impact of this procedure same time I still want to get better and far from feeling this pai everyday.

Thanks a lot :)

[selmaS]

I totally understand and as I go thru my recovery I coauld tell u something different each month......I am still healing...and unfortunatley those that have the surgery tend to leave and not leave us with the after affects of the surgery.

As of the 28th I will be 5 months post op.I still am not driving, or working. I do have other conditions going on and some symptoms overlapp...so, I am not sure what to say is deff gone...at 1 month I didn't have the ringing in my ears ,,,,but that is back....not sure if it will leave again. I am reluctant to say much more bcuz of how it does change as u r healing.

I can say I am happy I ahd it done...I do feel clearer and I do sleep much better than b4.

I just want u to know , If u want to chat...just PM me or send a note...I am here : )

"selma"

[LG20626]

I just wanted to add my positive surgery story to the mix:

I had my surgery August 19, went home 2 days later and had ZERO post op complications immediately following surgery.  I only needed pain meds and muscle relaxers for a little over 2 weeks. My surgery went extremely well and most of my chiari issues were resolved immediately.  

My surgeon was so pleased with my progress at my 2 week post op checkup that I don't have to return for another year.  

I will say, the first hour post op was absolutely horrible for me.  It was pretty painful.  BUT...after that it was smooth sailing and I have been doing wonderfully.  

There are a lot of weird sensations I have had in my scalp, typical stuff from what I have read.  Lately, (9 weeks post op) I have had some swelling on my 'soft spot', so I may end up calling the neurosurgeon to see if that is normal (not painful, just swishy swelling).  

All in all, it ended up being not as bad as I expected.  I hope your surgery is successful and your recovery quick!!  Good luck!