Surgery

[amandacd345]

Hi my name is Amanda and I'm 18 years old. I found I had chiari malformation when I was 14 and I'm having decompression surgery on December 29. I'm having a very hard time dealing with this because I have no idea what to expect when it comes to recovery. How bad is the pain when you first wake up and the days after? Thanks!

[Krystinamarie]

I am 7 months post op, I think everyone heals and recovers differently. But I can recommend that you take all the help you can get. I was lucky enough to have my husband and family to help care for me. Staying on top of your meds is really important. I got behind on my schedule once because I was sleeping and ended up back in the hospital. It's also important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard because it is NOT worth the consequences afterwards. I had never had surgery so naturally I was really nervous about the pain after surgery but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I honestly don't even remember the three days I was in the recovery unit. From what my husband told me they were very kind and attentive. You will be heavily medicated for a while then they will adjust your meds accordingly. If you feel like something isn't right once you get home, get back in touch with your surgeon or the nurses from the office. It's important to let them know what's going on. Rest as much as you can and take it easy.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Each one of  us will tell a different recovery story, there is no way to know for sure how things will go for you.....it can depend on how you handle pain meds..and pain itself. Then if you have any related or unrelated conditions that could be affected by the surgery.

Post op pain for me was not bad as I was on pain meds, unfortunately I had  a reaction to the meds and was vomiting so,until the meds were changed the only food intake i had was liquid.....

  Do not rush recovery as it can affect how you feel and heal....take all meds on  a schedule and keep ahead of pain...once pain starts is not the time to take the meds as they can not help at that point....have stool softeners on hand as you do not want to strain....and have someone around the first few weeks to help as you will not want to lift,bend,pull or push anything over 2lbs right off....as time goes on 5lbs....

The best exercise post op is walking...and neck exercises to help prevent scar tissue and the muscles getting tight.

  So, rest, rest and rest some more.

PS- if you want a Prayer thread posted please post your  surgery date in the surgery date thread for 2014.