Cranioplasty anxiety

[Sadie78]

Getting my cranioplasty next month however, due to the trauma of my last surgery I’m over anxious and to be honest extremely scared. Looking for success stories out there to help me this last part of my recovery

[oprice1992]

Hi Sadie hope you are doing well, I’ve read lots of success stories on this forum. The doctors performing these surgeries are really well skilled at what they do. I’m from the UK and had my cranioplasty 9 years ago and I’m living life like normal now. Try to stay positive and your mind and body can make a great recovery.

[Skallagrigg]

My son had his last month, after 15 months without, obviously scary, worrying all that stuff is normal jeez it's amazing, recovery was quicker than I thought he now feels like he's normal, there's someone on here who had one march this year as well . My son was sitting up eating the same day, the scar has healed beautifully it really has and he's so pleased not to be wearing the helmet, good luck

[Skallagrigg in reply to Skallagrigg]

This was after 4 days

This was after 4 days

[Loveandcats]

My partner has a very severe brain injury. His life consisted of a dark room so that energy could be saved to have mouth movement at meal times. It was hard. Cranioplasty 18 months later after multiple cancellations has been a life saver. He cycles 10 minutes a day, has energy to practice standing once a day with 2 people which he could only tolerate once a week with 5 people before. Slight movement coming back in left limbs, slight memory improvement. He has got his laugh back. Don’t be nervous. I hope it helps in ways it helped my partner, although his craniotomy was quite large so this could play a factor. He was very fragile with 24 hour care (still has that care) but he was talking and able to eat by the second day. Good luck! Look forward to it x

[Catperson18]

Having just had a Cranioplasty I can tell you not to worry. I had mine on first of March. I had a big op myself last year and the idea of going in gave me the fear. But like you say it’s the last piece of the puzzle to get back on the road to recovery. Usually they look to have you out in 3 days. I took 9 but that was just because I had a little pocket of air that my surgeon wanted to keep an eye on (which I was told was very rare). The op it’s self was straight forward I went in about 8 and came to about 2. Didn’t really feel in a huge amount of pain, it was no where near as taxing as the emergency op I had in July.

I wish you well and all the best. It will be natural to worry but will be over soon. Please let us know how it goes

[Esparrow]

I had a cranioplasty on April 28th and am now feeling good. I was very scared, too, but the surgery went well and I had a good recovery. I had also had one on the other side of my head back in February -- that required a little therapy afterwards, but not too much. It's normal to be scared, but you will get through it. I wish you courage and healing and all the best!

[Charlie90]

Hi Sadie.

Sorry to hear you are so worried about your cranioplasty

I too felt like this as my first operation went terribly wrong and I was petrified Of having the cranioplasty.

But I went ahead with the surgery.

I must say my life improved over night!

I was discharged from hospital relatively quickly with minimal swelling & bruising.

I don’t know what your original injuries where.

But I am paralysed down the left side of my body. Since cranioplasty I am now able to walk short distances with a crutch

Balance fatigue levels, confidence & self esteem have improved significantly!

It was the best thing I ever did during rehab and no more helmet woohoo!

I really hope that you are able to come to a decision that is right for you and that you have a good surgical team.

I am happy to answer any questions you may have

All the best

[Sadie78 in reply to Charlie90]

Hi Charlie, seems our stories are very similar. I went in for an aneurism coiling and it went horrible from ther a crainiectomy and a week coma worst experience ever! Woke up paralyzed on the left as well THANK YOU FOR SHARING AND PUTTING MY MIND AT MORE EASE

[Charlie90]

Hi Sadie our stories seem VERY similar I had a craniotomy and was put into an induced coma for 5 weeks. Indeed the worst experience of my life. My life has crumbled as a result I completely understand your fear around the cranioplasty. I was terrified aswell I done a lot of work with my neuro physchologist.

Unsure if this in an option for you.

There are obviously risks involved but my neuro surgeon used to say having the cranioplasty is on the outside of the brain so not as risky as other surgeries but some risks still of course with it being brain surgery

. In the end I sort of Said no I can’t live with this hole in my head any more I’m having it. Honestly best thing I’ve ever done

[Sadie78 in reply to Charlie90]

Update: I was scheduled for surgery on the 16th. My bone flap didn’t arrive in time. It is now on the 28th a little frustrated but staying positive