Brain surgery - discharge

When You're in the Hospital

You had surgery on your brain. During surgery, your doctor made a surgical cut (incision) in your scalp. A small hole was then drilled into your skull bone or a piece of your skull bone was removed. This was done so that the surgeon could operate on your brain. If a piece of skull bone was removed, at the end of surgery it was likely put back in place and attached with small metal plates.

Surgery was done for one of the following reasons:

• Correct a problem with a blood vessel.
• Remove a tumor or other abnormality along the surface of the brain or in the brain tissue itself.

You have spent some time in the intensive care unit and some more time in a regular hospital room. You may be taking new medicines.

What to Expect at Home

You'll probably notice itchiness, pain, burning, and numbness along your incision. You may hear a clicking sound where the bone is slowly reattaching. Complete healing of the bone may take 6 to 12 months.

You may have a small amount of fluid under the skin near your incision. The swelling may be worse in the morning when you wake up.

You may have headaches. You may notice this more with deep breathing, coughing, or being active. You may have less energy when you get home. This may last for several months.

Your doctor may have prescribed medicines for you to take at home. These may include antibiotics and medicines to prevent seizures. Ask your doctor how long you should expect to take these medicines. Follow instructions on how to take these medicines.

If you had a brain aneurysm , you may also have other symptoms or problems.

Self-care

Take only the pain relievers your provider recommends. Aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin), and some other medicines you may buy at the store may cause bleeding.

Eat the foods you normally do, unless your provider tells you to follow a special diet.

Slowly increase your activity. It will take time to get all of your energy back.

• Start with walking.
• Use hand railings when you are on stairways.
• DO NOT lift more than 20 pounds (9 kg) for the first 2 months.
• Try not to bend over from your waist. It puts pressure on your head. Bend with your knees instead.

Ask your provider when you may begin driving and return to having sex.

Get enough rest. Sleep more at night, and take naps during the day. Also, take short rest periods during the day.

Wound Care

Keep the incision clean and dry:

• Wear a shower cap when you shower or bathe until your surgeon takes out any stitches or staples.
• Afterward, gently wash your incision, rinse well, and pat dry.
• Always change the bandage if it gets wet or dirty.

You may wear a loose hat or turban on your head. DO NOT use a wig for 3 to 4 weeks.

DO NOT put any creams or lotions on or around your incision. DO NOT use hair products with harsh chemicals (coloring, bleach, perms, or straighteners) for 3 to 4 weeks.

You may place ice wrapped in a towel on the incision to help reduce swelling or pain. Never sleep on an ice pack.

Sleep with your head raised on several pillows. This helps reduce swelling.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor if you have:

• Fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, or chills
• Redness, swelling, discharge, pain, or bleeding from the incision or the incision comes open
• Headache that does not go away and is not relieved by medicines the doctor gave you
• Vision changes (double vision, blind spots in your vision)
• Problems thinking straight, confusion, or more sleepiness than usual
• Weakness in your arms or legs that you did not have before
• New problems walking or keeping your balance
• A hard time waking up
• Seizure
• Fluid or blood dripping into your throat
• New or worsening problem speaking
• Shortness of breath, chest pain, or are coughing up more mucus
• Swelling around your wound or underneath your scalp that does not go away within 2 weeks or is getting worse
• Side effects to a medicine. DO NOT stop taking a medicine without talking to your doctor first.