offically a ZIPPER head

[northernstarmn]

On October 5, 2009 I became an offical member of "zipperheads",
the surgery was a 3 hour long surgery I had more crowding then he thought or the MRI's had shown,
it went well and now i have a small piece of titainium at the base of the skull.

i was in ICU for 2 days,flat on my back at 36 hrs they started raising my head 10 degrees per hour, wednesday the 3rd day they had me up and about walking PT training standing walking in and out of car etc..really no problems during and non after. I have pain but its all from surgery no headache, occasionally dizziness, and buzzing in ears but thats going away as the swelling goes down.,

the longest part was the ride home we actually had to pull off the road so i could rest (i cant rest in moving car)

did anyone else have those lovely stockings they wore for surgery, help prevent blood clots, and then even after surgery while movement was extremely limited.

my inscision is about 3 inches long I have 19 staples,(come out on wed)unless i have problems i go back to wisconsin in 6-8 weeks. staples will be taken out here at home.

[*Stormy*]

I'm glad to hear from you and that you got through the surgery ok!

Yes....I remember the pain all too well still at only 6 months post op..the good news is that it does get better. You really have to take it a week at a time though...and just continue to rest and obey what your body is telling  you.

The clamp...yes I had huge bruises that lasted weeks and one of them actually kept bleeding too..I guess they had to clamp me down tight!!

I tried heat packs for the stiffness but honestly the only thing that really worked was time...

I hope you feel better soon!!
Carolyn

[selmaS]

Hi...I gave a few suggestions on the other thread, most important is to move ur neck....heat helps to loosen the tight muscles....only 15 mins at a time....but then move ur neck.

Did u have PT in the hospital?...did they show u exercises for u to do?

When u turn ur head to the right, u have to keep ur left shoulder down (still) and back...it helps to sit in a chair with a high back that u can just push ur shoulders back against and then just turn ur head....the PT showed me to have some one hold the shoulder down and to help over turn ur head by pushing gently with their hand on the side of ur face (not the jaw)....to help u get past tight spots.

Keep  moving ur neck
"selma"

[mthippiegirl]

congrats on your surgery... i too had the socks.. i became a "zipper head" ha! 3 days ago... well its 2 am so now its 4 days ago.. i had vertibres c 1 and c2 removed as well as the chiari surgery. my head is So sore from the "clamp" they clamped my head down with during surgery im guessing? i have brusies on my arms like a dope addidct (from nurses missing the viens while putting in the ivs) and bruises all over my neck! my neck is SOOOOO sore..

did anyone have this? im only 22, so i have never really experienced pain, but i am in so much pain now.. when will it go away? i have noticed like a sixteenth of the pain is gone but like i said, just soo stiff.. any help or anything anyone can reccommend?

[selmaS]

Hey...Congratulations!!...u must be doing well to be posting soooooo soon after ward.

I bumped up the Zipperhead thread so u can add ur name to the offical list : )

I hope u continue to post updates on ur recovery progress.

"selma"

[WeddingJean]

Great to hear your surgery went so well.  Be careful on your road to recovery as it can have some twists & turns...you will need to take it easy. Listen to your body as it will be your best guide & try not to over do it especially when you feel really good...the setbacks are usually not worth it. Hope you feel better & better every day!!!  ***Jean

[lu7997]

congrats in your surgery and I am glad to hear all has gone well.  Take it easy all post op periods can be hard and with one that makes you feel better it is common to over due it.  : )

Hope everything continue to improve for you : )

Ange