What can I expect after surgery?

[Maddemz]

I'm having foramen magnum decompression surgery on 6/30. I've seen a lot of people post that the pain afterwards is unbearable. Will I be up for company? Does the pain radiate through your entire body? I am quite nervous, and really don't know what to expect. Any tips or advice is so appreciated. Thanks!

[lasel22]

Hi, I wish you luck with your surgery. I was very scared of surgery and the pain I would feel afterward. Surprisingly, I didn't really feel any pain at the surgical site, but it felt very stiff and numb in places. I had more pain from a muscle spasm in my back from the positioning during surgery. I did let my doctors know I was scared of being in pain afterward and I was given dilaudid which is pretty strong.  

After surgery I was tired and I would get to a point in the day that I would absolutely have to sleep or I would feel ill. And I would sleep for a solid three hours. The fatigue is very bad in the first couple of weeks but it gets better. I wouldn't want company over too soon.

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

First let me say we do have a thread where you can post the date of your surgery and a Prayer thread will be posted for you....

As for what to expect.....it really depends on you and how you handle pain and pain meds....we are all different.

You may not want to have company right away....I waited for a few weeks ...that was me...I also waited a few weeks before I was back here on the forum....some post right from the hospital....I was told to rest my brain...so the more activity you have going on around you, will not allow your brain to rest....I was told to avoid TV, internet...things like that....so I used audio books, and music to help me relax.

Do not try to get back to "normal" life too soon as it can cause set backs.

Make sure you take your pain meds on a schedule to keep ahead of pain, and you will have pain the first few weeks....but by keeping ahead of the pain the meds will better be able to help lessen it....but if you wait until you have pain to take the meds, the meds will be ineffective.

Have someone there to help you the first few weeks..no lifting and doing anything will not be easy....rest, rest then rest some more.

Wishing you all the best.