In total, it typically takes about 4-8 weeks to make a full recovery from a brain surgery. The initial incisions on your head may be sore for about a week afterwards. You may have some mild headaches for a period of about 4-8 weeks as well.
Some people recover well after brain surgery, but this can take some time. Other people have some problems, or long term difficulties. The problems you may have depends on the area of the brain where the tumour was (or still is if you only had part of the tumour removed).
After a craniotomy, the bone flap will mend itself over time and partially heal back into the rest of the skull bone within 2 to 3 months. Full recovery can take a few months and depends on the underlying condition that was treated.
You are likely to feel drowsy and sleepy after you wake up. This is normal and it happens because of the anaesthetic and painkillers. You, or your relatives, may also notice that your head or face are swollen and bruised. This swelling will go down over time.
Returning to work after brain surgery is dependent on the tasks you perform. Most doctors recommend that you take 6 to 8 weeks off following tumor removal, but that can be modified based on each specific patient. For individuals who work heavy labor, a longer timeline may be needed.
Part of a successful brain surgery recovery is challenging your brain with cognitively stimulating or engaging tasks. Any activity that requires focus and engagement can give your brain a boost. Memory games, puzzles, painting, yoga and meditation – these activities have therapeutic value and aid in recovery.
Exercise
Regular, non-strenuous exercise is one of the best activities you can do to improve short-term memory after brain injury. According to several studies, aerobic exercise actually stimulates the growth of new brain cells and improves memory and cognition.
It can be weeks or months before your survivor is able to routinely store new memories. In general, post-traumatic amnesia lasts three to four times longer than the preceding coma.
The problem
There is increasing evidence that people who have undergone brain surgery experience significant pain. This pain can have serious consequences including raised blood pressure, agitation, prolonged recovery time and an increased risk of long-term headaches.
While rare, a craniotomy can affect your ability to think, move, speak and function normally. Some long-term side effects could include: Difficulty walking. Problems with balance and coordination.
The first six months is generally when you will see the most improvement after an injury, and then patients continue to progress for another several years. After this, progress tends to slow. This is because the damage remains, but the severe symptoms (like bleeding and swelling) have receeded.
Specific complications related to a craniotomy may include stroke, seizures, swelling of the brain, nerve damage, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and loss of some mental functions.
Fatigue is common in patients at 3 months after brain tumor surgery. Autonomic nervous system dysregulation is not directly related to fatigue. Longer sleep duration is associated with more physical fatigue. Multiple awakenings during the night are related to mental fatigue.
A major surgery and its treatments can cause changes in a personality and ability to think. Patients may experience challenges with their communication, concentration, memory and emotional abilities. Most brain tumor patients exhibit signs that are consistent with depression and agitation, especially post surgery.
Some of the possible complications following craniotomy include allergic reaction to the anaesthetic, bleeding, infection, brain damage, brain swelling, stroke and seizures.
Most patients' brain function return to baseline (before surgery) within a few months following hospital discharge. In a subset of patients, these cognitive changes can last several months and even years.
Neurosurgery can cause some temporary swelling around the brain, so it's normal to experience memory loss after brain tumour removal or biopsy. You may also experience difficulties with your memory after brain surgery if surgeons had to remove brain cells that were responsible for your memory.
On average, brain surgery long-term survival rate can be between 50-70% except in cases of malignant tumors where chances are lowered. In cases of brain operation performed for non-tumor related brain damage, the chances of survival are significantly enhanced.
It's pretty accurate to assume that you'll need more sleep after you've undergone a brain surgery. Even if it was a simple surgery or mild brain injury, getting enough sleep will be vital; however, it won't always be easy to get the sleep your body wants after your surgery.
When a brain injury disrupts the connection between the brain and the muscles, the brain can no longer send signals to the muscles telling them when to contract. As a result, spasticity and muscle tightness can set in, making walking after brain injury much more difficult.
Take a little time out each day to do something alone — take a bath, go for a walk, write in a journal, meditate. Take time out to do things you enjoy. Read a book, go dancing, watch a movie, etc. You'll be happier and better able to cope with life's stresses if you take time to do things you enjoy!
In general, flying after brain injury is safe, as long as the brain has had enough time to heal and your symptoms are not severe. How long it takes for the brain to sufficiently heal will vary between persons, but airlines recommend waiting at least ten days after an incident.