Temporal Lobe Surgery

CDC funded page

Not a CDC funded Page

Hi I'm having surgery for my epilepsy on my left temporal lobe. Everyone says don't look at stuff. On the Internet but I ave because I want to know whats going to happen. The surgery doesn't spook me too much, however I am confused about how long I might be in hospital for, recovery time and what size of scar ill have. The surgeons don't give you too much info on this as their priority is the actual surgery. The Internet has ports f different answers. Has anyone else had surgery that could help me on this. I'm not bothered I'd just like an idea of what to expect. I have a feeling it will be quite a large scar. I'd really appreciate any replies. Liz

Comments

Re: Temporal Lobe Surgery

Submitted by RTL on Tue, 2013-08-06 - 18:11

Liz,

I had this surgery, details as follows:

http://users.eastlink.ca/~kehoe/surgery/

I can see my scar if I cut my hair short enough but it's no big deal.

Kevin

Liz,

I had this surgery, details as follows:

http://users.eastlink.ca/~kehoe/surgery/

I can see my scar if I cut my hair short enough but it's no big deal.

Kevin

Re: Temporal Lobe Surgery

Submitted by LMarsh on Tue, 2013-08-06 - 18:30

Thanks, that's a big help. I'm not really bothered about the s at I have long hair so ill just put in a ponytail or try a comb over. Ha ha. This info is great.

Re: Temporal Lobe Surgery

Submitted by YeeP on Tue, 2013-08-27 - 13:45

Please do not read if you are afraid of negative input, I am only sharing my experience. Still alive and kickin it.

I had left temporal "surgery" back in 2000. They were putting the mapping out my tumor using the grid that they put inside your skull. I had one grid on the bottom of my brain, and one on the left side. The plan was to let me recoup for a couple days after putting the grid in, then take me off of my meds so I would seize.

The last thing I remember is the nurse hooking up the wires sticking out of the back of my head to a computer. Apparently I went into a coma and was unresponsive. They had to do an emergency surgery to remove the grids, and I believe it was two days before I woke up in the ICU. Then then took me back up to the neuro floor and I stayed there for I believe 3 to 4 days. so I say "surgery" because I definately got my head cut open and have the scar to prove it. However, nothing was ever removed from my brain. Of course, all the doctors could do was theorize as to why this happened to me. The idea that I heard most was I had an allergic reaction to the grids..???

Anyway, my scar looks like a question mark. I believe the doctors tried to hide it by keeping it inside of my hair covered area. However, I don't give a crap about people seeing it, and have always kept my hair short. I kind have a "dent" in my forehead on the side, but it is not huge and I can deal with that. When I first got home from the surgery, trying to go to sleep was the hardest part. I could hear what sounded like water dripping and was told that it was the cerebral fluid leaving the area of the surgery.

Right after my surgery they changed me to Keppra as my main medication (I am on 4) and I was actually able to get my license back because I did not seize for two years.

Some things that I heard after the fact that would not have changed my mind, at the time, about having surgery. My tumor is in the speech patterns part of my brain, and removal of any part of that would have effected my speech.

I eventually got back to my simple partials about 1 to ten a day, and tonic-clonic(s) about 2 a week. I now have a VNS in my chest and nave not had a simple partial in over a month. That is a a hole different story though...

There came a time in my life where I could not work, could barely talk, and had enough of everything. That is when I decided to go in for a brain surgery.

Would I do it again? You bet I would.

Please do not read if you are afraid of negative input, I am only sharing my experience. Still alive and kickin it. I had left temporal "surgery" back in 2000. They were putting the mapping out my tumor using the grid that they put inside your skull. I had one grid on the bottom of my brain, and one on the left side. The plan was to let me recoup for a couple days after putting the grid in, then take me off of my meds so I would seize. The last thing I remember is the nurse hooking up the wires sticking out of the back of my head to a computer. Apparently I went into a coma and was unresponsive. They had to do an emergency surgery to remove the grids, and I believe it was two days before I woke up in the ICU. Then then took me back up to the neuro floor and I stayed there for I believe 3 to 4 days. so I say "surgery" because I definately got my head cut open and have the scar to prove it. However, nothing was ever removed from my brain. Of course, all the doctors could do was theorize as to why this happened to me. The idea that I heard most was I had an allergic reaction to the grids..??? Anyway, my scar looks like a question mark. I believe the doctors tried to hide it by keeping it inside of my hair covered area. However, I don't give a crap about people seeing it, and have always kept my hair short. I kind have a "dent" in my forehead on the side, but it is not huge and I can deal with that.  When I first got home from the surgery, trying to go to sleep was the hardest part. I could hear what sounded like water dripping and was told that it was the cerebral fluid leaving the area of the surgery. Right after my surgery they changed me to Keppra as my main medication (I am on 4) and I was actually able to get my license back because I did not seize for two years.  Some things that I heard after the fact that would not have changed my mind, at the time, about having surgery. My tumor is in the speech patterns part of my brain, and removal of any part of that would have effected my speech. I eventually got back to my simple partials about 1 to ten a day, and tonic-clonic(s) about 2 a week. I now have a VNS in my chest and nave not had a simple partial in over a month. That is a a hole different story though...   There came a time in my life where I could not work, could barely talk, and had enough of everything. That is when I decided to go in for a brain surgery. Would I do it again? You bet I would.