5 Random Questions about my upcoming MVD

[wrigley]

My surgery is May 21, and my nerves are getting to me and so I'm logging on here a lot more to read everyone else's story and remind myself that I'm most definitely not alone.

And while I've been thinking about what's going to happen, 5 random questions popped into my head, and some of them aren't close to the most important things and yet they seem to be stuck in my head. So, I figured I'd ask anyone who has had an MVD, and maybe I can finally focus on the actual important aspects of May 21 and beyond.

1) How quick can I start to work again, really? I run a very-small business and the thought of being disconnected for a full month is almost as scary as facing a lifetime of this illness. The surgeon said to plan on being out for a month ... so that's what I'm going with.

2) How quick can I do "rough-house" things with my younger kids? I have a 5 and 6 year old son; up until my meds have slooowwwed me down, we used to like to fake-wrestle around, toss the ball around, chase each other around the yard (and in the house when it would rain), play house-hide-and-seek, etc. I've got this vision that I start too soon, and somehow a random elbow goes into the "hole" they drill, and pain on my end and trauma on one of my son's end ensues.

3) How bad is the scar afterward? This makes me sound vain, and I'm really not, but I can't get it out of my head that I'm going to look like I took a bad mugging at some point in my past.

4) Even worse on the vain scale: Shave my head before-hand or no? If it's going to get done by the medical staff anyway, I'd rather do it myself.

5) How best to avoid getting sick after coming out of the anesthesia? I'm certain this will be a problem for me. Should I take something before-hand, not eat/drink anything particular the day before; or is it just a "deal with it" scenario, or do I actually have any ability to influence that?

So, thanks in advance, and any thoughts on any of this are appreciated. On a side note, I don't post much, but I read a lot, and I appreciate the openness everyone has here. You've been a great help for quite some time for me, so thanks, in general.

[Kc_Dancer_Kc]

Don't take anything beforehand --- if you are nauseated - you will be in a hospital and there are drugs for that-- tell them you are a good candidate for post op nausea

I threw up into the pan twice-- I was on so much morophine I really didn't care too much --- I think it's because when nobody was looking I was cramming too many ice chips down my throat - it was so dryyyyyy

You don't have to shave it --- they dont want you looking like a monster -- it is 4 inches long perhaps and 1 or 1.5 inches across

I don't know what hair you have now -- easier for women with long hair to cover up you will not care for 3 weeks I promise!

Scar is thin and follows the path right up against your ear

Back to work answer sounds reasonable

Playing with the kids --- you won't want to for 3 weeks --- find out about your fears about loosening the teflon - is a valid fear -- but I think possible b ut not probably --- ASK Dr.

You are wise to come here and learn all you can --- I was scared $#!+less --- many here helped my anxiety when I posted it!

[anon25930859]

Dancer has given you good advice based on her own personal experience. I would have given you similar answers based on 17 years of study and talking with patients.

I wish you well, Wrigley...

Red

[JessicaG]

I had surgery on Jan. 25th ... and am drug free and pain free since.

1) I'm a self employed graphic designer so I head you trying to get back to work. From start to finish I took 5 1/2 weeks off. I wasn't completely weaned off of drugs, but I was in the process and def. felt like I had taken plenty of time off. If I HAD to, I could have prob started working after 3 weeks but I chose not to.

2) I stared walking my dog only own and felt fine about it after about 2 weeks and started pilates and yoga again after 3 weeks. I did my first hard cardio work out prob at about 5 weeks. The only thing I don't enjoy still is lying down on a flat hard surface with my head on the ground, but that's it.

3) Don't shave your head — well I didn't cut my hair or anything. My hair was already kind of short, here are some photos with staples, right after they were taken out and then a few weeks later. Today, my hair has totally grown over it and you can't see my scar. My scar is much much smaller (as well as how much hair was removed) than I expected.

5) I was super sick, but I was also told that the younger you are and if you are female, it's worse. I'm 28 so I expected to be sick, but they did a good job of giving me drugs. However, they wanted to start me on a solid food diet immediately .. and I couldn't even keep water down. So I had a hard time taking pain medication. I figured out if the nurses cut my pills in 1/2 and then put them in a spoonful of applesauce, that was easy to swallow and I could keep that down. Other than that, I don't think you can control getting sick or not.

Keeping in mind that the pros out weighted the cons for surgery really helped keep my anxiety down. I was only on the hospital for 2 nights and then enjoyed the rest of my recovery at home. Really after 3 or 4 days I felt like myself again. It wasn't nearly as bad as I expected it all to be.

GOOD LUCK! HUGS, Jessica

[romark]

I had my surgery monday Dr.minimum off 6 wks no lifting more than 10lbs Its an ulgly scar but if you have long hair it should cover it up they give you somthing with anesthesia for the naesua My biggest problem was finding somthing that would help the headache i had a couple of them made me instantly sick sorry getting tired ask me other questions later

[doowni]

My scar is in the back over my head under my hair…no one really noticed after the bandage came off…I was out of work for 2 months, but I am a polic eofficer so it is more off a liability factor than wether or not I felt ready…you will know when’s are ready to rou house with the kids…

[tatto20]

As woman we tend to worry about our hair but as you know you have to weigh this all out. Visualize and imagine being pain free is all worth every strand of hair they shave off our heads. I wish you luck and good health with hopes of a sucsessful surgery. Follow your doctors instructions to the t! Once again I wish you well ,like all of us there is hope at the end of this tunnel, dont ever give up!

[bedrestmom]

Hello.

I can give you some brief answers to all 5 questions, based on my own MVD, which was in August of 2011.

1. It all depends. (Don't you hate that answer?) But seriously, it depends on how you heal, how you care for yourself, and what your job is. I personally feel that a month is a bit long, but that was based on my own experience. Start slow, and do not overdo it. Lying in bed checking emails isn't going to hurt you.

2. This could take a little longer. Hide and seek, sure. Tossing a whiffle or Nerf ball? Maybe. The rest? May take longer. Even a five year old will "get it" and be careful around you.

3. and 4. No, don't shave your head. Chances are, they will just shave a small part. 2" wide by about 4-6" long, right behind your ear. That's it. Your hair will grow.

5. Talk with your anesthesia team. I have a 19 year-old son who has had far more serious brain surgeries, (three of them,) and I can tell you that anesthesia has changed a lot even in the last five years.
There are so many things that they will give you before you even wake up...Zofran, Compazine, Benadryl, and even a 1-time dose of steroids. All of these things will help a lot. So even if you get sick, it will be far better than it would have been years ago. Plus, you will have an order for anti-nausea meds in the ICU, and they are so good about taking care of you.

Try not to worry too much. I know it sounds scary, and it feels scary, but it's really, truly, not as bad as your mind allows you to think it is.

Best wishes!
Mary Ann

[R.SKI]

Hi! - I had my MVD on march 15th. Was back to work April 27th but my surgery turned out to be very complex. My anatomy was all messed up, I had to have a central line in my neck because my IV blew in the OR, my heart stopped 3 times (don’t get scared those were all “freak” things) so my recovery took a little longer than it would have. Ive had surgery multiple other times and always had a problem with vomiting after. When you have an MVD they do something called neuro monitoring. (you’ll be asleep but they stick tiny needles around your face to make sure they have the right nerve) in a normal surgery they use “the gas” plus a small amount of propofol and then keep you asleep with the gas. (when they’re ready for you to wake up they just turn off the gas and you breathe in the oxygen and you wake right up) They cant use the gas when they use neuro monitoring-This is good news because Propofol is an antiemetic - its the gas that makes you throw up. So you should have no problems with nausea RIGHT after surgery. High doses of pain meds may make you sick to your stomach but you can avoid that by asking your nurse to give you the antiemetic ( like zofran) when they give the pain meds. Make sure you get a script for something like zofran to take when you get home. I was terrified to throw up and but only time I did was a month later when I was trying to clean the floor on my hands and knees lol there are pics of my scar on my page , it’s right in my hair line. And definitely don’t shave your head, they don’t take that much hair- good luck, write me if you need anything

[DieselJimmie]

Here is what I experienced with my MVD regarding your five questions.

1) I wouldn't push returning to work even if you feel like you can jump right back into it. An MVD is a major surgery and you want to make sure you give it time to properly heal. You don't want any secondary complications. I was back behind the wheel driving a transit bus two and a half months after my surgery. I felt it was a bit too soon but the company that handles our sick time push for you to get back to work as soon as possible. The first few days back for me were not fun and I'm sure I left my finger prints in more than a few steering wheels.

2) Give it time to start rough housing with the kids. Again you want to make sure everything heals properly. You will know when you can get down and play with your kids the way you want to.

3) The scar depends on how much of an incision the surgeon makes. I wouldn't expect anything more than two to three inches. After it has healed and it protrudes past your hair line you can try using Bio Oil to help diminish the scar. My scar is about two and a half inches long and I have a shave head. I used Bio Oil and the scar is barley noticeable. I hope its the same should I have a second MVD which is looking quite probable.

4) Don't worry about shaving your head. If you have anything near shoulder length hair its likely it will not be noticeable at all. If you're really unhappy with your looks you can always shave your head after the procedure.

5) There are lots of medications that are available to help you with any sickness from the anaesthesia. If you eat well and drink lots of water in the weeks leading up to your MVD this will also help you in handling the procedure. A well hydrated body will handle surgeries far better. If you're concerned about this talk it over during your meeting with the anaesthetist.

Its not as bad as we think its going to be but its also not a walk in the park. Don't push yourself and give your body the time it needs to recover. The eating proper foods and drinking fluids (water) is just as important after your surgery. Try to eat fresh foods including fruits and vegetables and stay away from fast food if you can. It will make a difference. If you have a good vitamin store in your area talk to them about what you can do for both pre and post surgery, they may have some suggestions.

Hope this helps you along with the others who have responded. Good luck with it. Where are you having your MVD?

[wrigley]

Wow thanks for all the great answers everyone, this has really helped me get a feel for some of the small and not-so-small things to expect.

The openness in this thread, and others I've read, has really helped keep me (somewhat) sane these past several months. I thank you.