surgery recovery times for brain surgey

I had brain surgery two months ago, and have completed radiation. As of now I am cancer free!!!! My biggest problem has been with this scar!!! Large scabs that hurt when I try wearing a hat or wig, stabbing pain in the area of scar. Hot or Cold gives me a headache. Anyone else with this experience Please respond. Thank You
Lum

I had 2 surgeries for meningiomas. First one was in 2002 and it was the size of an orange. Surgery took 7-8 hours, 1 night in ICU and 2 more days in the hospital. I felt pretty good after a week and was back at work within 4 weeks. The second surgery was last month, no ICU, overnight at the hospital and discharged. This time I suffered a seizure at home a week later and that made the recovery a little longer. Again I stayed home about a month. Slowly I'm getting back to physical activities that I used to engage in such as golf and jogging. I hope to start playing tennis next week. Good luck and you'll be ok.

I hope your surgery was a success. I had a bifrontal crainotomy to remove a brain tumor (olfactory groove meningioma) frontal lobe 08/18/2010. My tumor was about the size of a limon (between a lemon and lime) I also cannot smell. I could have had this tumor for 20 years since it grows slow. I was cut along my hair line which is very well hidden now that my hair has grown back. I have titanium plates. I had surgery on Wednesday and I was on my way home (4 hours away) on Friday. I did not need rehab. I am curious as to what side effects, is any, you have experienced since your surgery.

I am 15 days out from surgery to remove a meningioma in the back right portion of my brain.  It was the size of a quarter.  The surgery took 5 hours and I was in the hospital 3 days.  Thankfully my neurosurgeon does not shave hair so it is impossible to see the 6 inch incision.  Main complains are soreness and pain at the incision site, and just being so tired.  I talked with dr. and he put it like this - I opened your skull all the way to your brain and worked in their several hours before we sewed it all back together.  Why would you think that you would not have a lot of tiredness?  Your brain has to heal not only on the outside but also on the layers of stuff on the inside.  Be patient!

Good advice.  I feel a little stronger each day and am learning to listen to my body.  Plus a Kindle helps pass the time.

 

Reading these posts has been very helpful/hopeful!

I had surgery for a golfball-sized meningioma six weeks ago (Nov.2011).  I am 58, male, excellent health.  We discovered my meningioma when my toes wouldn't work on my right side!  Then my ankle had problems moving.  Absolutely no pain or headaches.  After a seizure an MRI showed the meningioma, and I was scheduled for surgery.

Two hours after surgery I called my boss.  It was almost pain free -- I probably only took 6 tylenol during 3 days at the hospital.  HOWEVER, I did experience some right side temporary paralysis ("Todd's Paralysis") and could only walk with a cane.  However, 7 weeks after surgery I can walk normally!  I also could not write or type with my right hand after the surgery.  However, my typing has returned 90% (again, 7 weeks after surgery).  Because of my pre-operation my driving license has been suspended for at least 3 months. I do not like my anti-seizure med (Dilantin), and hope to get off it.

I would describe the immediate post operation effects on my right side similar to being beaten up on that side, but without ANY pain!  Those effects cleared up for the most part after a couple weeks, and I was walking without a cane.  I went back to work part time in about four weeks.   

I don't think there were any intellectual effects post-surgery; if anything, because I'm less active now I probably focus more on things before I say them!  AND MY TOES and ankle now work perfectly!!!

As others here report, your body may DEMAND, not request that you sleep!!  Interestingly, my body returned to my normal 11PM - 6AM sleep pattern about four weeks after the operation. 

Again, this was not a painful operation in any way -- that was one surprise.  The other surprise was that within a couple weeks my toes and ankle were functioning normally without and physical therapy.

Overall the weird part of this experience was from going from what I thought was totally healthy, to having brain surgery, to only being able to walk with a cane, to swimming laps and being 90-95% back to normal, all within less than two months time! 

I'm writing this to encourage anyone who needs the operation not to fear, and go ahead with it! 

I don't mean to contradict anyone here providing a qualified medical opinion, but I personally don't agree that you can expect a 1-4 week or even an 8 week full recovery. That is not square with my personal experiences and observations of survivors, working in a local support group.

Like previous bloggers I had a menigioma tumor larger than a golf ball in the front left lobe. Surgery was very successful. My recovery is now in its 14th week. I awoke from the procedure fully able to walk and talk, which is a blessing. However, recovery may take a longer than 8 weeks, and you may encounter:

- shooting pains in the head, headaches and other indications of nerve tissue damage and its healing

- fatigue or shortness of breath that may be tied to sedantary living, but also perhaps to front lobe disturbances and healing

- forgetfulness, memory lapses, gaps in recalling some past events

- general limitations in your attention span and ability to focus, due to one or more of the above, or other issues unique to you

- complexities in mood or affect due to any or all of the above; some will struggle and encounter depression when facing limitations to their intellect, motor and/or emotional states during their recoveries

My own advice from experience is to...

> Celebrate small victories...If you walk a mile for the first time, have a cinnamon bun. If you return to work, take a friend or family member to dinner on Friday to mark the moment. Celebration will reinforce you, no matter how silly that may seem; what's more, it will remind you of the fragility of life and the value you personally bring to those around you.

> Pace yourself...You are very, very likely to get there eventually. Write down signs of progress -- an email to a buddy, a call to a loved one. But I found if I pushed myself and refused to listen to my body, my body revolted and it caught up to me very quickly. So, if you're a Type A person, like me, you need to dial it down. Trust me. It will all be there to pick up where you left off the next morning...

> Volunteer...Even if you're not religious or otherwise inclined, you will indeed find knowledge and comraderie invaluable. There is always someone worse off than you, too, by the way, and feeling sorry for yourself will quickly disappear. Get out there, go to some support groups or connect with people who know people who have tumors. It is unreal how few degrees of separation you will find.

Keep your chins up, this too shall pass!

Tim

Hi, I am 41 years old and it has been 4 weeks since my Meningioma (6cms- size of a large lemon) crainiotomy surgery (14 inches horse shoe shaped incision) . I was on top of the world till week two when on steroids but feel a bit fatigued in the last two weeks. No memory or ambulatory issues. I have been driving a bit and taking walks up to 30 mins/day. No pain meds except for over the counter Tylenol when needed to treat low grade fever (99-100) sometimes.I have been working 4-6 hours a day from home but nothing strenuous.

Hi friend,
It doesn't matter much that how long it takes to recover. But important is to have a successful surgery after a successful surgery, it takes hardly 4 to 5 week for recover but not for fully healthy. But after this surgery Postcraniotomy pain is frequent and to control this you can use scalp infiltrations, nerve scalp blocks.

Sounds like a perfect recovery!

I also found that my energy level wound down as the day progressed, and my body demanded -- not just requested -- sleep. Sleep at that time seemed as "delicious" as a gourmet meal! Eight weeks after surgery, and after anti-seizure meds for several weeks, I feel like my ole energetic self!

You are lucky to be able to drive -- my license was yanked after a "seizure" which involved numbness, no loss of consciousness or disorientation. Still have some numbness in my arm/shoulder.

Again nirvana, you should have a full recovery soon!!!---

Craigery and Dannyjoy, A million thanks for sharing your thoughts/input.

I had a very similar condition in August and a 14 hour surgery !!!

On January 6, 2012 I was alone at a bar drinking. I must have had atleast two long islands. I was intoxicated above the legal limit, I was told by nurse. I got about 200 feet and fell. I was found by paramedics face down on a busy sidewalk. I was knocked unconscience for two days. I woke up in the hospital disoriented and could not remember any phone numbers to concerned family members or friends. Fortunately, admission or records found my aunts number from a previous visit for a flu. I called and family rushed to my room. On January 9th, my team of nuerosurgons (five total) were making their rounds, and told me that the have found a tumor the size of a large boulder, in the left frontal lobe but positioned some what at forehead. Dr said it was menginoma and benigned. They said with my brain tumor pressing past center of brain, going towards the left, it was doing a whole tug of war thing. I was later told it was not the drinking at the bar that made me pass out, it was the tumor. Regardless, I have stopped drinking. So, after doctors informed me about the tumor, they said I must go into surgery right away. I signed the release form and was wheeled into surgery. Surgery was 9 hours long, I was told. The operation was a complete success. I always had control, and never had a loss of motor skills and dexterities. I was on medications to prevent any potential seizures,etc. I was told by the doctors post-op, not to drive for two weeks. Told not to return to college this semester, and told not to work for a year. About a month out of the hospital, I had a errand to run that was pushed back due to the surgery, so I decided to catch a bus. I was fine going there. While catching the bus back, the bus was crowded and I had to stand with others. Next thing I knew I was on the bus floor, because I fainted. It was so embarrassing. People were saying is he ok, is he ok? Then some guy behind me asked me if I needed help up. I could'nt answer or move. He picked me up behind me from under my arm pits, and asked if I would like his seat. They removed 95% of the tumor, and five weeks later, I have begun radiation treatments for the remaining 5%. I have to go 5 days a week, for 5 weeks. I now have one week and a day done. I have experienced extreme fatique at least 2-3 days per week. Doctors tell me that after about two weeks of radiation, the fatique will increase even more. They also tell me that I will begin to have blotchy bald spots on my scalp. I stay well groomed with a fresh hair cut bi-weekly. I am going to shave my head, and allow it to grow properly. It's now March 26th, and I am bored like crazy. Dr also said do not lift more than 10 pounds, so the gym is out of the question. I can't go to school or work. Most of my day is spent laying in bed or sitting on couch. I forgot to mention that the incision is left ear to above right eye, on the hairline. I have to constantly wear hats. I so want my hair back to normal. I am very concerned that the scar won't heel completely. Its right above my good looking face. However, by the grace of God, I have never had so much as a headache. I have all these vicodin's, and don't need them yet. I woke up this morning and my left eye is swollen as well as my forehead. I seen the doctor before my radiation treatment, and he said the swelling is the result of the surgery. When I asked the doctor this morning about the swelling, he replied "we pulled out a tumor the size of a cantelope" hahaha. It was funny but obviously not true on the comparison side. My surgery total so far is over $210,000 on insurace. That is not including radation, recent cat scans and MRI's. I thank God every single day for what he has done for me, but I have always been a christian soilder, even as a teen boy. I am 48 now. Look at it this way....when doctor diagnose you with a brain tumor, you can either get a stroke,seizures, and death. The plain truth is have the surgery and possible radiation treatments, and get your new lease on life. YOU ARE STILL HERE! YOU ARE ALIVE! When you get out of the hospital go to youtube and look up the song "i'm still here" by the Williams Brothers. Watch how it brings it home for you. How close it relates to you. I will pray for all that have went through this, and about too.

Hey Anthony, sounds like you're recovering! My doctor didn't put any restrictions on my activity after surgery 5 months ago. Of course my head was shaved before the operation, but my hair has grown back and I really don't know what the scar looks like now! I can feel it, but really not see it, so your hair should cover it. I had Kaiser health insurance (an HMO), and my costs for the operation and 3 days in the hospital were only $500!

I feel EXACTLY like you -- glad to be alive! ---

I have fully recovered from removal of a golf ball sized tumor after just three days.  I underwent the surgery on Monday April 26th  and was released on Wednesday April 28th.  My tumor was perfect for removal.  My symptoms were reduced motion on my right side.  I went into the ER on Thursday, had an MRI on Friday, and had the tumor removed on Monday.  My cancer is stage 4 renal cell carcinoma and I still have some spots of the cancer in my lungs after being diagnosed about 17 months ago.  

ima 36 year old female and just had mine removed 5 days ago. Mine was 2+cm and within 3mm of my sagital sinus. right frontal lobe. loss of memory, stuttering, head pressure. I took myself to Johns Hopkins ER, they admitted me and same day performed my surgery~. i am so thankful and so grateful the outcome would have been different if i waited and if it were ON my sagittal sinus. REMOVE asap is my opinion. as soon as i got out of surgery, i was walking normal again, no more stuttering (my language is wired backwards) i was so happy to be admitted to the #1 hospital for brain surgeries and left the ICU 24 hours later. I am taking swelling meds and seizure meds etc but will be off of them later this week. feel great and back to being a mommy of 3!!!