What is it like to have a neurosurgery operation?
This will look different for everyone, depending on the location and nature of your problem and your underlying health. You should ensure that you have these discussions with your surgical team prior to your planned procedure so that you know most closely how this will look.
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In general prior to any surgical procedure a pre-operative assessment will be arranged which will be led by an anaesthetist and/or specialist nursing team. It is very important to take a list of any regular medications you take to that appointment. You will be asked stop any medications that thin your blood (such as warfarin, aspirin) or increase your risk of blood clots (such as the pill) in advance of your operation. You will be given a date for your planned surgery and asked to come in the night before or morning of the surgery. On the night before surgery and morning of, you will be asked to wash in some specialist wash to help reduce the risk of infection. This will be given to you by your pre-operative and/or nursing team. Usually you will be asked not to eat or drink from 2am on the morning of surgery, but again your surgical and/or nursing team will advise you on this.
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On the evening before or morning of the operation you will be re-consented by your surgical team and meet the anaesthetist. Your surgical team will advise on the expected duration of the surgery and whether you will require care in intensive care or the neurosurgical ward following your procedure. Similarly they will be able to advise on your expected length of stay - this typically ranges between 1-10 days. Post-operatively you will be given medications to help with any pain, nausea or other symptoms you may have and again your surgical team will be able to advise you on what you are likely to experience during that period specific to the procedure you have had, for example some dizziness or unsteadiness initially when walking. Typically you will be seen by the physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy teams to ensure you recover in a supported way and are discharged home only when you are medically and physically ready to do so.
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Recovery
Recovery looks different for everyone. If you work, usually you will be advised to plan for a minimum of 4-6 weeks off work to allow time for your physical recovery - returning to work and usual activities too quickly can slow and prolong your recovery. The most common thing I hear from patients in their recovery phase is how surprised they have been at how tired they have felt. This is normal and expected, your body has been through a lot and needs the time to recovery. It is important to allow it that time, listen to your body, take rests when you need and gently build your activity levels. This will shorten your overall recovery time. The sections on this webpage on Diet, Exercise and Psychology offer advice on this period - please read and consider the advice given as the more you nourish your body before and after your operation will shorten your recovery time and make it easier. Having the support of family and friends with day-to-day tasks such as cleaning and cooking can be very helpful if possible in these earliest stages.
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Driving
Often there are restrictions on driving after neurosurgical procedures, that range to when you feel recovered and safe up to 1 year. Again please discuss this with your surgical team in advance so that you can organise things accordingly. Regulations come from the DVLA and more information can be found by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.
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Surgical wound
You will likely have a surgical wound, there is a specific section on this webpage for that under the tab 'Surgical Wounds', giving general advice on how to look after your wound and markers of potential infection.
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Additional medications
You may be given additional medications on discharge home. Some of these may be short term prescriptions, such as additional pain-killers, and some may be longer term medications such as anti-seizure medications. Your team will be able to advise you on these.
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Follow-up
Follow-up from your surgical team will vary again depending on the type of surgery you have had and the nature of your problem. You will be advised closely on this by your surgical team.