Could somebody tell me what your restrictions were after having the MVD done? They said I’d have to stay in the ICU for the first night… Did any of y’all? Thank you!
Hi Kelly,
In my experience, my mvd was approximately 3 hours long (from12:30pm-3:30pm), I then went to the ICU for approximately 5 hours. I was then moved to a step down unit for 24 hrs.
After that I was on a regular recovery ward for 3 days.
My restrictions included no lifting anything for the first few weeks and then no lifting anything more than 10lbs until the 8 week post op mark.
I had staples so was able to wash my hair gently 3 days after surgery.
No driving until 6 weeks post op.
Remember each of us is different and has had different experiences, this has been mine.
(( hugs )) Mimi
This may be an extremly weird question but I was wondering if I’d have to get a catheter?? Did your neck ever get stiff?
Hi Kelly, I did have a catheter during the surgery, and for the first few hours post-op. The hospital staff did want me up and walking ASAP, so it was not necessary for long.I was in ICU for two nights, and then released from the hospital. Did not have neck stiffness, but was pretty sore from the incision. I was a bit wobbly on my feet for the first week, and pretty tired, so it was best to have someone with me all the time.
Best of luck
Christine
Thank you! This helps! Did it fix you MVD? Are you satisfied with the in incision size? The said mine would be nickel size but they need an updated MRI used for a GPS and to make sure. What size was yours? Did it heal nicely?
Thank you!
Kelly
Kelly, if you go to my page and scroll down to my pictures you can click on the one of my mvd incision. It is small, I only had 8 staples.
I am very satisfied with the results of my surgery. I am off 2 meds just on Tegretol right now as I have bilateral TN . I have NO TN pain.
My incision healed well, although I did experience a small infection near the bottom of my incision in week 6 post op, we think it may have been a hair follicle, like an ingrown hair. The doctor just lanced it and gave me an antibiotic cream to put on, it is now all healed. My hair is growing in nicely too.
Mimi
I have a scar that is about 4 inches long, and very narrow. I did have to have the incision opened two weeks ago due to some fluid draining .there had been a tiny bit of suture left behind when my PCP removed the stitches, and the local neurosurgeon thinks that is what caused the fluid to collect. The scar will most likely covered by my hair once it grows back in. I have had a great reduction in pain, but not total relief as of yet. I know the nerve can take up to a year to heal, and I am at the five month mark, so I am hopeful! I do have bilateral, but I am not sure when I will have the procedure on the other side.
When is your surgery scheduled for?
My surgery is scheduled June 24th at Johns Hopkins with Dr. Lim and Anh I think is how you spell his name but he is ped. Neurosurgeon.
Did your appitite go away?
Hi Kelly,
My surgery was 5 hrs and I was in ICU for 2 days and then a normal ward for 2 days after that.
Unable to drive until next NS visit which is 8 weeks after surgery. No lifting and plenty of rest for 6 weeks, although do not expect FULL recovery until 6 months.
I have posted discussions tracking my recovery post MVD which may be of interest to you.
All the best
My surgery was 5 hours. ICU for 3 days. Regular room for 18 hours when I checked out AMA. I stayed resting at home for 3 weeks, no driving for 6 weeks. I was terrified going in but honestly, I would do it again. I was pain free immediately. It took my hair a year to grow in but it was shaved in a way that you could not tell unless I had my hair up. The scar is 7 inches long. It itches occasionally but I think its psychosmatic. I think I just rub it unknowingly.
Hugs to you. Keep reading post and asking questions. I am two years out and so happy. I hope the same for you.
I’m excited but yet nervous about it all! They said they’d cut a 3 inches lazy S and cut a nickel size skull piece out! So maybe they won’t have to shave a lot of my hair!!
Hi Kelly. My surgery was 4 months go. My scar is an s shaped about 4 or 5 inches long, which had 16 staples in it, behind my ear and hair was shaved so that you can only tell when hair is in a pony tail. I was in ICU for 24 hours after a 3 hour surgery, then on ward for another 6 days, then another 4 weeks recovering at home. I was told I was allowed to drive 2 weeks after driving, as long as I could comfortably turn my head. My incision site still itches also, with occasional nerve pains all over my head which I’m told is the nerves healing and is normal. Bobbie, I also rub my scar often without thinking, my husband recently pointed this out to me lol.
I am totally TN painfree, so so glad i had the surgery done, as I now have my life back. I hope you have the same result.
Thank you!!!
All these wonderful comments are so helpful!! Thank y’all all so much!!