I unfortunately suffered a traumatic brain injury in February this year. I had to have a craniotomy to basically save my life with my brain swelling. I was wondering if anybody could help regarding my upcoming surgery and how my life will be afterwards?
I have a Cranioplasty 3rd August and was just wondering if I could get some insight on my recovery time after this, until I hopefully get back to full fitness.
Thank you in Advance Perry 25years old
Hi. Please give the Headway helpline a call on 0808 800 2244. They will be able to help you with information and support.
I wish you all the best.
🙂🌸
Thank you very much for helping and the best wishes Marnie. Very much appreciated😚
No problem. Headway have been a lifeline for me, both the helpline and the local group. I have very different circumstances from yourself, but I am confident that they can help. 🙂🌸
Hi PC, Get your routine written down. Post it notes everywhere. Try exercise legs now Incase it takes you a while to get back on your feet.
Take a book or magazine even if you don’t read. Any bad habits you have now delete them from your life before hospital because you might be lucky and not remember them.
Health fitness an wellbeing if you can be arsed after. The being arsed and remembering is my major problem.
If anything it will make you better and stronger so give yourself a good start.
Don’t be scared, it’s there to make you better.
Cyclings good.
After surgery circulation for the brain, ask surgeon can he put you on Cinnararizine after the surgery. It’s helped me a lot. Say it reduces calcium to the brain and opens up the blood flow into the brain. He/she probably knows this but best to make sure because it’s not considered.
If he asks how you know this say you chatted with me with severe TBI, bleed from ear and blood clot on brain with severe brain swelling and fractured skull that had to be drilled and it helped my TBI and frontal lobes. Where I couldn’t text this before, It maybe to early straight after surgery, but ask. It will help and leave a note for after.
Also garlic you can have now and after. Thins out blood to the brain and makes heart stronger, not straight away but will help you. Raw garlic bulbs best, eat a clover with a pint of water quickly. (Eating half a clover they go of to quick). Try take as longterm as possible because it improves your health. No one will want to come near you because of garlic breath but helps the peace and quiet of recovery.
I’ve had over 24 surgeries and always pleased to get done because it improves my life a little. If your in a few days take some chocolates for the nurses because you might drive them mad if not take anyway.
Treat it like a getaway, I’ve had good chats with people in wards in hospital, it’s like a mini getaway.
Don’t be scared when you sign your life away, that’s routine.
See if you can get some Red Krill Oil that’s best or omega 3 oil/fish oil. Helps memory so does Ginkgo Biloba. I take them all, not everyday because I forget but when I remember and I keep them in view to me.
Take some chewing gum you like. Dunno why. Keeps me busy.
Good luck, give me a shout on here when your out. See a cute nurse see if she will join you, them beds are for a reason.
Sorry, they found it funny at the time when I was in there patting my bed beside me.
Thank you so much for this, massively appreciated! I’ve written down bits that I’d more than likely forget to guide me through a bit! Bad habits are being deleted as I write this message, it’s just difficult keeping myself occupied currently because of my lockdown before surgery. I don’t read much but I will be taking a book with me to help pass time and keep my brain ticking over a bit. My memory is suffering at the moment but I do feel I’m getting better as days go by! I’ve noted all stuff you’ve said to take along with me to help me remember your recommendations. I have haemophilia so thick blood isn’t an issue as such but I’ve noted your comments anyway. Comments to nurses may well be made anyway haha!
Thank you again, much appreciated!!
Cool. I usually don’t come on these chat thingys because I say what I’m thinking and usually offend someone. If you’ve got a car wash it, if you’ve washed it wax it, if you’ve waxed it colour wax it. That does me in. If you haven’t got a car wash the family car. If no ones got a car. Clean the house. If the house is clean, clean the windows. There’s nothing better than coming back to a clean house where you’ve washed your bed covers, towels etc. If it’s done for you help and get in there good books because you might be moody after.
If you’ve got spare cash stock up on your favourites. Nothing worse than someone getting your wrong favourites. I’ve got rice cakes and Diet Coke and plastic pint cups incase I fall to fill up with water upstairs, so I won’t get glassed. If you get the right ones, they last for years.
The garlic and red krill etc does more than thin blood, it’s strengthened my immune system where my surgeon said he’s never seen a heart that strong before except in France and Italy.
Keeping occupied. What I’ve done my life is invent. Think of what is out there that’s no good and try to go at the opposite direction to improve.
Search in Google, “google patents” then search for anything. I’ve aimed at improving life and the planet. You never know you might be hopeless or a natural. Find an interest and delve into it more than what’s out there. It keeps the brain going.
Sat there doing nothing will just make you over think your surgery and that’s no good.
Record all your favourite programs.
Make sure there’s enough memory on the thingy majig.
I’ve got lots taped to the walls of my bedroom to remind me to do something or to invent something.
Your haemophilia, because I fall a lot and allergic to plasters I use 3M Micropore tape, I’ve used for stitches and cuts for years, ask a nurse for a roll at hospital, they may have a spare, then ask again because it’s not cheap.
Keep all tablets in sight by bed at home, or if at diner time, where you eat so you don’t forget.
I’m just saying what works for me.
Haha, you probably think I’m a sandwich short of a barn door but no worries.
Have fun.
Hi,
I spoke to a Head Trauma Nurse about my partner's cranioplasty yesterday. She said recovery from the op is usually very quick, and people are usually in hospital between 5-7 days in total. My partner has become very frightened of hospitals after his traumatic brain injury and would rather not have the cranioplasty. The advice has been that there isn't much choice if you want to lead a physically active lifestyle. Best to get it done and over with!
I hope all goes well for your cranioplasty, fingers crossed you'll be out of hospital and feeling better in no time.
I didn't need a craniotomy, but seen the procedure online a few times (fascinating) and it's amazing seeing the dedication and skill involved in cranioplasty. The surgeons make it look so straightforward ; quite breathtaking levels of expertise.
Just wanted to wish you well on 3rd Aug. Perry and hope you'll feel secure in the knowledge you've 'Been there - Done that' and you're back in expert hands with state of the art technology at their fingertips.........so this is just the icing on the cake.......so to speak.😏
I had the pleasure of meeting my surgeon at my first review and he took such delight in showing me the 'before & after' scans from my coiling procedure for a bleed on the brain. He's been my no 1 hero ever since !
You'll be monitored 24/7 for a few days after the op. and encouraged to walk and shower before a re-scan and discharge, shortly after which there'll be a couple of post-op review appts.
I hope you'll update us on your progress when you're feeling up to it ! Hope all goes well.... Cat x
Ooo I’ll have a look then, If you’d recommend or would it be best to just leave it?
Thank you very much for your wishes, got a long way to go but it’s my first step in normality isn’t it! Yes I know what you mean, it will be the icing on my cake!
I met my surgeon the other day, it’s the same man who did the initial surgery too which is a bit easier to grasp.
I’m just looking forward to start climbing back down the mountain I’ve unfortunately had to climb since my injury.
I will be eager to let you all know how it goes, thank you for your kind words Cat and I’ll keep you all posted! Perry x
Thank you very much.
I can’t remember anything about my first op but I’ve been told by my surgeon this time round Is a lot easier than the original but I still get nervous about it, however I can’t wait to have it and get back to work and mr normal life. It’s been a steady 5 months since my first op back in February but I can’t remember any part of that so this one, I know about worries me slightly but I have an understanding of what they’re doing and why which makes it more understandable.
I can’t remember much about my recovery time - can only remember times from a couple of months after, back to normality and over my coma.
Thank you very much for your message, it’s helping me understand and expect more, what is happening this time around. And after an assault on a night out got me here, I know what to take out of my life now to maintain a happier, healthier route.
Thank you again, really appreciate the comment. You will all be made aware of how I am pre-op.
Hi Perry,
Good Luck with the surgery.
Threat it like a short holiday.
I used to and chat with everyone.
All the best
SY
Thank you very much Symundo - you’ll all be notified when its all over!
Clipping surgery
Life after Tbi
We need some help please !
Seeking advice/experience
Cranioplasty surgery 
