My Head after brain surgery

[AngelwithDentedHalo]

These pics I took myself after my brain surgery. You can see the incision and the red spot next to it is where they put in a drain, a long tube attached to a bulb similar to that you see on a blood pressure cuff and where they drilled the hole in my skull. Will always have a dent in my head.

 

[suebear]

Actually, if the surgeon did it correctly, the incision should begin to fill so the dent will no longer be there over time. I had brain surgery done in 1995 (temporal resection) and when the surgeon did that type of incision, he did what was needed but how he closed was the big difference. In that same fashion yes but more importantly is how he did it because it would allow growth to begin inward and out.

I happen to notice on my incision as time progressed, the incision growth took place inward out and began to fill that space. Yes, there is a very slight indentation there however what I began to see is how the surgeon put together the incision made the difference because of what he used and how he sutured the incision itself to allow the skin to begin normal growth over time.

That might not make sense to you now but as time moves forward it will. What I can suggest is to carefully watch your incision area. Your neurologist and/or neurosurgeon's nurse should of given you the do's and do not list when it comes to washing your hair for that first few weeks. It has been awhile since I have gone through the cycle of that type recovery so I don't remember all of the details. What I do remember is using baby shampoo with conditioner was something that had been suggested; I believe it is in the pink bottle by Johnson and Johnson?

Another thing I suggest is to drink water as much as you can as it is a great thing for your body but not only that it will help your immune system recover. I like ice water preferably as I can bite on the ice chips every so often. Back to taking care of your hair for now...

I would wait on using any type of mousse or hair gel until the incision has time to form an actual scar. What I ended up doing is stop using it all together for a good two or three months. It was rough because I have wavy hair but well worth it since my health was more important. In my case, I actually got the left side of my head shaved, not just that one section because of how far they needed to go back. What I ended up doing for most of the summer was walking around with a bandanna to keep my head covered. When my hair got long enough, I ended up getting it cut with someone I trusted so I could then brush it using a very gentle brush with covered tips to allow the hair to gently fall right over it. A lot of the times tho, I was so into the different designs of bandannas, I just wore them until my hair was long enough to let everything go back to normal again.

The scar healing will take time for sure. The inside healing is another large factor that will take healing for sure; 6 months I believe as the brain has had trauma and needs to recover. As I said earlier, your neurologist should be able to provide you with any follow up answers to the surgery and you should also have a phone number to your neurosurgeon's nurse who can help answer questions. Another great place to call is your local Epilepsy Foundation as they can supply you with answers. You can also visit their website for assistance. Lastly, should you begin to see anything out of the ordinary around the incision area contact your doctor's office at once to make them aware so they can write it into your records and call you in for an early follow up if needed.

I would be happy to help if I can offer any type of recovery notes since I have been through this type of surgery so please feel free to ask me questions off line.

Warm regards,
Sue

Temporal Resection - 1995
Vagus Nerve Stimulator - 2007
Deep Brain Stimulator for Epilepsy - 2011

 

[CQ:)]

What I do remember is using baby shampoo with conditioner was something that had been suggested; I believe it is in the pink bottle by Johnson and Johnson?

When I had my surgery I was also told by all the specialists to use Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo because it was softer on the hair/head & didn't sting like normal shampoo.

When I was getting things ready to take with me before my surgery one of my sister in laws told me that the supermarket brand baby shampoo would be just as good. But I didn't listen to her & preferred to spend the extra money & get the Johnson & Johnson shampoo like the specialists had suggested.

 

[suebear]

When I had my surgery I was also told by all the specialists to use Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo because it was softer on the hair/head & didn't sting like normal shampoo.

When I was getting things ready to take with me before my surgery one of my sister in laws told me that the supermarket brand baby shampoo would be just as good. But I didn't listen to her & preferred to spend the extra money & get the Johnson & Johnson shampoo like the specialists had suggested.

I think the stuff in the pink bottle had that extra conditioner for softer more sensitive skin. I am unsure what the reasoning behind it was. I'd have to look it up but I am happy you were able to get what you needed for shampoo. :rock:

 

[Ryan.2288]

I lucked out with having to be very careful with the hair washing, thats for sure. Everyone told me not to get my head shaved but, I said no, make it easier. : /

 

[AngelwithDentedHalo]

My surgery was a year and a half ago as of August 1st, had it March 1st, 2011. I have an indentation and I've healed completely but have only been on this site for about a week. lol I don't even have so much as a scar, the only way you can tell is by feeling the indentation now.

I had to be very careful right after surgery for the first three weeks at least. I had my staples 10 days. I was in the hospital only 2 days and went to work a week later. Day I got OUT of the hospital, went out to dinner with my mom, got some strange looks but oh well. lol