I have surgery scheduled for April 23 and was just wondering if anyone could give me some information how what happened after their clipping surgery and how they felt. Any information would be help. I am a single mother of 2 young kids so just trying to get an idea of everything.
I was coiled ... so no help...but other's will be able to help you out...I do hope you have someone helping you watch your kids when you are first home...You need to take care of you in the beginning of this journey...so you will heal...Thoughts and good positive vibes out to you for the upcoming surgery ~ Colleen
I thought about another thing...if you view our BAF website page...they have a lot of information on Brain aneurysm's and procedures, etc., hope this helps you out...
Click below...
I think everyone has had a different experience, but here is mine.
I had my clipping May 6, 2013. On the day of the surgery I had to be at the hospital (I think) at 6 am. I got checked in and they took my husband and I to the pre-op area. They had me change into a gown and non-slip socks. Talked to anesthesiology and discussed what they were going to do. Saw the doctor that works with my surgeon. Discussed what was going to happen. Surgeon came in. Again discussed surgery. He prayed with me. Nurse put IV in my hand. Hugged and kissed husband. They gave me some "not going to remember a thing" drugs. Wheeled me to pre-op. This is when they got me ready for the surgery. Doc said it takes about 1 1/2 hours. Shave the head for incision etc.
My husband did not talk to anyone until a little after 3. Some doc came out and told hubby everything was good and they were going to close me up. Surgeon came out around 3:30 and told him the same thing. I had requested to do the angiogram while I was out, so they took me to do that. Was in recovery for a bit and then taken to ICU. I remember waking up and asking a question. At that point I knew I was alive. :)
Pain in my head was pretty significant. It was easier to keep my eyes closed. My entry was through my forehead so I could not feel above my eyes. I looked like I had some bruising around my eyes. I was very nauseous and could not tolerate ANY IV pain meds. I threw up quite a bit for the first 2 days. It took them a while to find an oral pain med I could tolerate. Pain started to subside. I could not eat for 3 days. I was able to tolerate small sips of water and juice. I was finally able to eat applesauce and some jello. I ate some regular food around day 5.
Sleeping sucked. Could not get comfortable. Getting up to use the commode was a workout. Not sure how long until they had me up and walking around my room. After 2 days I was ready to discharge to a regular room, but non was available. I stayed in ICU for 4 days. After that I was in a regular room for 2 days. In order to be discharged I had to pass the Occupations Therapy (OT) test. They took me to a little kitchen and I had to fry an egg and make a cup of coffee or tea. I did great.
I was discharged on day 6. I was very happy to go home. I slept a lot. Did not have much of an appetite for a few weeks. My family would help me get to the bathroom or down/up the stairs. Showering was also a workout. It was weird washing my hair when I could not feel my head. I was exhausted once I got out of the shower.
I was very fortunate to not suffer any complications, so my recovery was relatively easy. Well as easy for having brain surgery.
Terri
Thank you everyone for your information on this. I think I am just worried cause I am a very independent women and doing everything myself but I am definitely going to have to depend on my boyfriend and my parents and family to help get through all of this. And also my ex husband to help with the kids. Again I appreciate all the stories it helps so I kind of have an idea of what to expect.
Hi Jess,
I had surgery and have 3 clips on one aneurysm. Mine ruptured, so it’s not the same circumstance, but many people on this forum have not ruptured prior to surgery, hopefully they can chi,e in. Guaranteed: you can expect a large amount of fatigue after the surgery. When we say fatigue here, most of us mean the kind of tired you cannot ignore, coffee will not cure it. As long as you have help with kiddos so you can sleep in and nap, and go to bed early, for 2-4 weeks after your release. I only have 1 child, I could not rouse myself in the mornings to get her ready for school until 9 weeks post surgery (but again, that was post rupture). If you have the help set up in advance, but have to cancel it because you are doing so great, that’s ok, and hopefully that’s what will happen. Good luck to you, keep the questions coming, and keep us posted. -Kelle
Hi Jess,
I had a clipping in 1998, but my recovery was a little different due to the aneurysm having grown to the point that it snapped my 3rd optic nerve in two, (but my annie didn't rupture !) so recovery was wonderful really except for the severe double vision (took about 5 months or so for that to heal and I could see straight and was well enough to drive)--also they cut thru my temporal muscle in order to access the annie to clip it, so that made for my jaw being sore and hard to open my mouth very wide for about a good year. I used only Advil or Tylenol for the after pain (which was related to the obvious pain of staples in ones head!) but that was about it.
The next clipping i had in 2010 , and that one went quite well I must say. I had no involvement what so ever with my vision and they didn't cut thru the jaw muscle this time, and I was driving within a week and a half after surgery. I only took Advil for the after-pain, as i can't tolerate opiate pain meds, but that was all I really needed anyway. I encountered no after-headaches at all on either recovery.. I honestly felt pretty good (better then the 1st clipping-recovery), so you might want to ask the surgeon how he plans to gain entry on your surgery--maybe see if he can avert going thru the jaw muscle (And if not then stock up on lots of easy to chew foods beforehand)--as that was a hassle to deal with. I had no problems with washing my hair as soon as I got home from the hospital on my last surgery (was in/out of the hospital in 4 days time on both my clippings), . I had staples for the 1998 clipping, and in 2010 i had stitches (Which I found so much more comfortable then the staples were) and in both surgeries, these were removed 10 days out.
Everyone is so different of course, but I sure hope your clipping and the recovery goes as well as my last one did ! Peace to you as you get thru all this, Janet
Hi
My story would be quite the same as Terri's, but I did not have head aches. What happened w/me is because my surgery was on the left side of head and the left side is the language side ,so i couldn't talk and make sense. It scarred me a little thinking it wouldn't change. At first I did talk but then I couldn't. The words came out wrong and I said peoples names wrong, and couldn't answer what year it was rightly etc.. and that frustrated me. I did know who the people all were though. I could hear them talking and hear them afraid of my speech and then I heard the Dr come in and tell them I'll be alright. I remember that I could write my name. Day 2 I talked and then couldn't later again. By third or fourth day it was normal. So if that would happen to you know that it will be Ok. You will still be drugged up to sleep through most of it. You will be ok. :)
I had my surgery at Colombia Pres in NYC I had an 11mm brain aneursym I was out of the hospital in two days people tell me thy can hardly notice my scar feel pretty good much luck we all stick togeter
Mine did not rupture was out of bed in one day it takes awhile too get strength back but you will try to get some help with kids would be good. I amazed people ave to wait so long I was diagnosed operated and home in less then to weeks be positive it’s not easy but we are all here to support you
Thank you again Everyone for your stories. It really helps to get an idea of what to expect. I have 18 days till surgery, it couldn't get here soon enough so I can be on the rode to recovery.
I would like to add this. Ask your surgeon to use glue to close the incision and not staples. You will heal quicker, I did. My surgery was seven months ago, and you can barely tell I had surgery.You're fortunate to have this surgery now, rather than have it rupture. The recovery time is much shorter. The Mortality and morbidty rates are much lower with the surgery before rupture. After a few days I was eating like a horse. even went down to the hospital dining room with my family. I took the pain medication they gave me at the hospital, But when I got home I sat the pain meds on the bathroom counter. Didnt need them. You will notice the "being tired thing". Take vitamins, dont stress, go to bed early and nap. We will be praying for you. Oh, have Ron send some of his humor. Laughter is like medicine
Hi Jess,
I am 60 and had clip surgery for an un-ruptured right middle cerebral artery aneurysm on 3/5/14, 4 1/2 weeks ago. The surgery was successful.
Everyone is different and I've read about others that had fewer symptoms than I had afterwards, but this was my experience. My incision was inside my hairline and above my right eye, curved and down to in front of my right ear.
The first 24 hours my constant headache was quite bad. it was maybe an 8 or 9 out of 10. I just tried to lay still, wanted the room kept dark and preferred quiet.
For the next 6 days the headache was slightly less bad and I was counting down the time until I could take the next pain pill. The pain was maybe between 6 or 7 out of 10 and would ease off to 3 or so with the pain meds.
After that when I was home I've only been taking tylenol and the headache has continued to decrease. The last 2 or 3 days it has decreased down to maybe a 1 or 2 and I'm hopeful that it will eventually be gone all together. I'm guessing that once I was home and was upright more, rather than lying flat all the time, that may have helped my headache ease off a bit. Maybe there was less swelling and pressure. Maybe it was just that time had passed.
I lost my appetite for about a week but I was fortunate that I never experienced any nausea.
While I was in the hospital I had IV connections in my arm. When I got my pain meds through that port I also got IV tylenol. I also had 3 shots of heparin a day to reduce the risk of clots. I wore air compression leggings while I was in the hospital that constantly inflated and deflated to reduce the risk of clots. I didn't even notice those at all. You just need to have them detached if you need to get out of bed and then reattached. They encouraged me to get up and walk. I always held onto someone when I walked the hall, just to be on the safe side. They take your BP, temp pulse every few hours to make sure everything is OK.
The fatigue has been pretty impressive. The first 2 weeks I just didn't have energy to do anything. It's been improving slowly and steadily. The third week post surgery I could get up and do a few things but would need to lay down and take a nap and rest for a couple of hours after being up for a short time. This past week, my 4th week post surgery, I've noticed a significant improvement in my stamina. I still need to rest regularly throughout the day but I can get up for a regular dose of activities around the house throughout the day. The first 3 weeks I relied on family members to do the grocery shopping, household tasks and meal prep.
Other symptoms include a sore right jaw for chewing and my skull around the incision area is numb. I believe both of these should subside within a couple of months.
I had my stitches out at almost 2 weeks. One or two stung a bit when they were pulled out but really not bad at all.
They say "I know longer have an aneurysm." "i'm fixed." It sounds like I'm supposed to use common sense to ease back into all of my normal activities as I get stronger. It's great to not have to worry about a rupture at this point. I'm trying to push myself to get stronger, without over-tiring myself out or doing too much.
Everyone is different. They have aneurysms in different locations and different set of circumstances. You may have a much better experience than I had. If you have people that can help you out the first month I would accept their help and use that time to rest, heal and get stronger.
I wish you the best of luck.
I am so glad I decided to have the surgery and I am so glad I am starting to feel much better.
The day of the surgery, I got to the hospital and realized I still had my bedroom slippers on! Do you think I was a little bit nervous?
Good luck.
Beth
I had a clipping one month ago today... I too have a little one (6) at home. I found out Monday that I was having surgery on Wed.
I had an MRI due to headaches and found a 12mm on my right side. Had an angiogram and clipping was my only option for a long healthy life.
Columbia Pres in Manhattan was my Surgery spot. Went in at 6 am, 1 day in ICU, next morning to a room, next morning 10am home. My daughter only missed me for 2 full days. I told her the night before my surgery which was the hardest part of the entire process!
The hospital experience was a breeze. Not sure of your location but if you are in NYC and have Columbia Pres, you are lucky!
They unwrapped my head at 6am and I left the hospital at 10. They didn't shave my head, and I have a lot of hair. I had 40 staples that were taken out 5 days after my surgery. Didn't hurt. Luckily my hair can cover the entire line which is from my middle part to my ear. My hair has since fallen out due to no circulation but will grow back and has already started where there is no more scabs.
Since being home....
Like I said, 1 month today.
The first week I was very tired.. common. Took 1 percicet the first night home then never took another pain killer. took Tylenol like once a day for a couple days. I am not a pill person so I tried to not take much. Had to take a steroid to reduce swelling in a step down process for about 7 days more after hospital started the meds.
I had a pretty heavy black eye and my jaw didn't and still doesn't function 100%. Common they say.
2nd week, I was driving very local (pick my daughter up from school), run to the store.
2nd week, walk 1 1/4 miles every day through current. The more you move the faster you recover.
I have been working from home after 10 days post op.
My head still has a little numb feeling but I feel almost ready to return to my office.
I'm not going to say it was a breeze, it is a serious surgery that could have consequences, but I really feel good.. I worked out 3 days a week before finding out about my aneurysm, which was 2 1/2 weeks before my surgery.
I semi feel like a poster child for this type of surgery because I feel so good. Everyones body reacts differently. Could be because I was in good shape prior? Not sure. Positive thinking bring positive results.
I had to push myself a bit for my daughters sake. My husband was a champion but she needed her Mom's touch on most :)
Any questions feel free to ask.
Hope this helps and good luck with everything.
Sheryl