Cranial Surgery - Recovery

Incision Care

  • You may shampoo your hair with a gentle shampoo, such as baby shampoo, 3 days after your surgery.
  • Clean the incision with a clean washcloth daily.
  • Apply antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or Bacitracin to the incision 1-2 times a day for the first week after surgery.
  • We want to keep the incision from drying out and forming scabs, because scabs can harbor bacteria and cause infection.
  • If you have black stitches or staples, we will remove these at your post-op appointment.   These typically need to be removed in 10-14 days after your surgery.

Pain Expectations

  • It is normal to expect pain after surgery.  That is why we prescribe medication to ease you through the healing process.
  • It is normal to have a sore throat after endotracheal intubation, and this will improve over the week after surgery. 

Medications

  • You may be given prescriptions for pain medications, muscle relaxers, steroids, or anti-seizure medication.
  • If you have Diabetes, the steroid medication will mostly likely elevate your blood sugar, so carefully monitor your blood sugar regularly. 
  • Anti-seizure medication, such as Keppra, Dilantin, or Phenytoin, may be used to prevent any seizures after your surgery. 
  • Do not take pain medication on an empty stomach.  This may make you feel nauseated. 
  • Do not drink alcohol if you are taking pain medication.
  • Because pain medication can cause constipation, it is important to have stool softeners and laxatives at home such as Colace or Senna to prevent constipation.
  • If you still have constipation after using these medicines, you may use an over-the-counter suppository or enema.  
  • You should not need narcotic pain medications for > 2 weeks after cranial surgery.

Medications to avoid

  • NO blood thinners such as Aspirin, Coumadin, Warfarin, Xarelto, Plavix, etc.  for 5-7 days after your surgery.  We will tell you when you may resume your blood thinners.  

Therapy 

  • When you are at home, walk between 30-60 minutes a day, but not all at the same time.   Divide your walks into smaller intervals of 10-15 minutes at a time.

Restrictions

  • Activities such as lifting >10 lbs, exercise, or excessive activity are restricted during your recovery period, which is about 6 weeks.
  • Straining can raise intracranial pressure, which is the pressure inside of your head.  
  • This means NO household chores such as laundry, hobbies such as golfing, and yard work. 
  • If you have young children or grandchildren, do NOT pick them up.  
  • You may drive as long as you are not taking narcotic pain medication. 
  • Patients who have had seizures within the past 6 months cannot drive. 
  • It is ok to ride as a passenger if you are taking narcotic pain medication.
  • If you are unable to work due to these restrictions, please let us know if we need to complete any paperwork for your employer. 

Diet

  • If you are experiencing nausea, follow a “BRAT diet” which is Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast and advance as tolerated.
  • If your surgery was near the temple, your chewing muscle may be very sore for several weeks.  Softer food will help with reducing pain.  

Smoking 

  • Smoking constricts your blood vessels which carry oxygen and nutrients to your healing bone and muscles.  
  • Carefully consider quitting smoking during this time.  If you would like help in smoking cessation, please let us know.

Call our office if you have any of these symptoms:

  • Sudden onset of a severe headache or headaches that change with position 
  • Confusion, memory loss, changes in speech, or weakness on one side of the body
  • Seizures
  • Fever > 101 degrees 
  • Constipation that is not relieved by stool medications 
  • Redness, warmth, or significant drainage from your incision
  • Shortness of breath or Chest Pain 
  • Pain, swelling, or redness in your calves

Follow up appointment

  • We have scheduled a follow up appointment for you that is about 2-3 weeks after your surgery
  • You will be provided with a card listing the date and time.  
  • If you need this appointment changed, please call our office 

If you are experiencing any problems or have any questions, please call Stacey at 678-207-4231

Nicholas Morrison