What exactly happens before, during and after a Craniotomy?

@jeanneoc Thank you for. This is my second go around. It has been 10 years since my first and I really can’t remember how it went. I hope that I can make progress and in 6 months be back on track . Thanks again !

@scottdemauex
Im six months post op and still get sensations on my scalp but the "ride" gets " less scary" and pains did subside 👍🙏🙏Heal well !!

Thank you for asking . The 2 week follow up went very well. Staples were taken out and all was going well! I was advised that the pathology was still considered to be a stage # 1 .
We were surprised but pleased !

@scottdemauex, thanks for the update. I hope recovery is going well. I look forward to hearing how the 2-week follow-up goes.

@colleenyoung Following back up to advise I had surgery this past Monday . I went Holme on Thursday . I will see the doctor again in 2 Weeks . He feels the operation was a success and a post MRI seems to confirm this . Dealing with post surgery trama and head pain . Will
Lay low and recover this week and try to rest and gain strength back . Was pretty scary ride but all is good !

my crainotomy apparently was very different than yours. i had "hair sparing technique" and no hair shaved. Moreover, i had "no fat packing". The only incision i had was a cosmetic like several inch vertical incision on the left side of my head --slightly to the front and above my ear. Moreover, i had dissolvable stitches and little discomfort from my incision sight. There was an excellent neuro-anesthesiologist who was very calming to be around. He started with a pediatric anesthetic (no needles) and the next time i was aware of anything, i woke up in the OR. I have severe asthma and my pulmonologist wrote instructions that he wanted the anesthesia "reversed" as soon as the surgery was completed and the breathing tube was to he removed immediately. I was in no pain and was immediately transferred to ICU (as i was informed i would be)

@colleenyoung Thank you for asking . I will be having surgery on the 27th . I found a Doctor I really like and he spent a lot of time reviewing my situation. I know it is what I have to do now . Praying for all to go well.

If it has a blood supply, you will have an Embolization, first. They will probably map your tumor with Cameras via your thigh vein (they did mine) so they have a "GPS" and can make a surgical plan. On the day of, you will have a part of your head shaved (sometimes all, but based on where they enter/how big a window they need to make), a flap made in your scalp and a window of bone removed where the best approach for your is made, they will tunnel to it, and chip away a hard tumor/suck out a small tumor. They will retrace their tunnel and windo approach to get out, rivet the skull window back in, pack that area with fat (usually taken from your abdomen) to protect it, and sew the flap over the fat.

@scottdemauex, checking in. How are you doing? What will be your next step?

@colleenyoung sorry to be so long to respond. The recommendation is another surgery. I wish there was an alternative but they feel it is best . I will be having a second opinion tomorrow.
I don’t really feel it will be different. I hope I like the doctor better!