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After craniotomy: What can I expect when I wake up and after?

Posted by jeanneoc @jeanneoc, Oct 23 2:48pm

Having a craniotomy (insular glioma) in few weeks. Getting more nervous in general about having permanent pain or strange sensation near incision site, as well as permanent mobility issues. Can anyone describe what to expect right when I wake up?? Then after a week or so??
Thanks!

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kdog1957 | @kdog1957 | Oct 24 11:20am

Hello,
I had a craniotomy 9 months ago. The incision was just above the frontal hairline and went almost ear to ear. There was virtually no post-operative pain in the skin, scalp or skull. I have lack of sensation in the top of my head because of a cut nerve, and the incision still itches, but that’s about it. The surgeon will probably apply a postoperative topical anesthetic and you’ll be offered pain medication, but I doubt you’ll need it. Same for a week later, it doesn’t hurt. As for mobility issues, that would probably depend on the tumor location. Best to ask your neurosurgeon about that. Good luck and please keep us posted.

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jeanneoc | @jeanneoc | Oct 24 12:07pm
In reply to @kdog1957 "Hello, I had a craniotomy 9 months ago. The incision was just above the frontal hairline..." + (show)
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Hello,
I had a craniotomy 9 months ago. The incision was just above the frontal hairline and went almost ear to ear. There was virtually no post-operative pain in the skin, scalp or skull. I have lack of sensation in the top of my head because of a cut nerve, and the incision still itches, but that’s about it. The surgeon will probably apply a postoperative topical anesthetic and you’ll be offered pain medication, but I doubt you’ll need it. Same for a week later, it doesn’t hurt. As for mobility issues, that would probably depend on the tumor location. Best to ask your neurosurgeon about that. Good luck and please keep us posted.

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@kdog1957
Wow , thank you sooo much! Very helpful!!

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kdog1957 | @kdog1957 | Oct 24 2:50pm

Glad to be of help. Will you be having follow-up radiation treatment?

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jeanneoc | @jeanneoc | Oct 24 3:48pm

Had 6 weeks radiation in 2009 right after diagnosis. Temodar then too, again in 2018, and now tumor board says safer to do resection than back at diagnosis.I have a slow growing insular glioma so oncologist wants to try tibsovo after surgery.
Thanks again!

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kdog1957 | @kdog1957 | Oct 25 12:43pm

Wow, you’ve been dealing with this for a while. My hat’s off to you. Stay strong.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 27 8:57pm

@jeanneoc, you might also be interested in these related discussions:
- What is recovery after craniotomy like? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-is-recovery-after-craniotomy-like/
- Craniotomy in 9 days: What to expect? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/craniotomy-in-9-days/

Keep asking questions. There are many here ready to virtually journey alongside you. 🙂

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Maryann | @mkoch | Oct 28 12:15pm

jeanneoc: To answer the question of what will I feel when right after I wake up, I think you will feel relief that the surgery is now behind you and hopefully, like I thought, "That wasn't as bad as I imagined it would be." Kdog1957 described the post surgery scenario well. After 3 months pre-surgery getting 3 different opinions, reading everything I could on-line to educate myself, knowing my husband and kids were trying not to show their stress, that by the time I arrived at the hospital at 6:30 a.m. I was remarkably calm; I just wanted to get it over. I hope for you a sense of peace about it all settles in.

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