Hello, I am new here. I am just wondering whether anyone on here has had a cranioplasty and, if so, how long it took to recover from it?

[KikioE]

I would like to know about the ins and outs of cranioplasty, since my adviser was very negative about it and told me that I could be worse off afterwards.

[Eltonsilver]

Hi KikioE

My husband had a fall down the stairs and had major surgery this time last year. He had his craniolasty about 4 months after the first surgery and he came on leaps and bounds after it, he's certainly had no problems ams it healed very quickly. He gets discharged from rehab tomorrow after a full year in hospital and rehab. He can do everything himself he's amazing.

Good luck in your recovery x

[KikioE in reply to Eltonsilver]

That sounds amazing. He is doing really well.

[KikioE in reply to KikioE]

Hi Eltonsilver, can I ask you a couple more questions, which may or may not be directly relevant to me?

[Eltonsilver in reply to KikioE]

Of course you can ask away.

I wasnt given any negatives regarding John's cranioplasy apart from the obvious risks of another surgery

[KikioE in reply to Eltonsilver]

I was wondering how long he was told that he needed to stay in rehab? Is this something that I will have to face too? A year seems like an awfully long time.. Or is the healing process just over after a few days?

[Eltonsilver in reply to KikioE]

He had a lot of setbacks, he had cdiff then covid then urine infection.

I think the rehab is how long is a piece of string. His mobility is brilliant and can do everything it's his speech still gets a little confused. He certainly couldn't come on here and write. Although he can read really well. His rehab has been more speech and language based

[Hopeful1966]

Hi, my son had a TBI 2 years ago. He has been left unable to walk or talk and is not able to make his own decisions. He is waiting for a cranioplasty but we have to make that decision for him. His consultant has told us that approximately 30% can have complications but it can improve brain function. At the moment we’re waiting for another few months before we decide. Wishing you all the best for the future.

[KikioE in reply to Hopeful1966]

Oh no, the 30% chance of no success does not sound great. But I feel like if you don't risk losing things, there is nothing to be gained.

[123Bereft]

It's another risk and you just have to decide what is best for you. My partner is worse after his cranoiplasty, but he was already in a prolonged state of disconsciousness before, he is now a year post cranioplasty and he hasn't gone back to eating and his reactions are still slower.

[KikioE in reply to 123Bereft]

That sounds terrible. That is really bad for your partner. I wonder whether my life after the surgery could look similar.

[lcd8 in reply to 123Bereft]

So sorry to hear about your partner. That is very sad. I'm in agreement about risk though. Its a very personal decision that can only be made by the person thats ill (or their nearest and dearest). It doesn't always end positively, but thats the chance you take. For me theres a 50/50 chance that treatment (not cranioplasty) would be successful. The alternative risk of severe deficit means that having considered the odds I've decided not to treat my condition. I know others wouldn't feel the same though.

[KikioE in reply to lcd8]

The 50/50 replies to what exactly? TBI? or anything else which isn't on the list..?

[lcd8 in reply to KikioE]

I have a brain AVM. Craniotomy is not an option due to location. But I could try Gamma Knife. Sorry, when I said 50/50 I meant odds between its success or not.

[Oppo24 in reply to lcd8]

I also had an AVM and was offered Gamma Knife treatment due to its location. Similarly, the odds for success were given as 50/50 but I went for it on the basis I didn't have much to lose with all the uncertainty whereas much to gain. 22 years later I am so glad I did. Life is very different compared to before the AVM was discovered and there have been many challenges since, especially dealing with memory issues but I've learned to accept and live with them. On the whole I think it was right decision for me. Everyone has to make the decision they feel is right for them.

[lcd8 in reply to Oppo24]

Thanks Oppo. Absolutely agree and so glad it worked out for you