When it comes to brain tumour surgery, it can alter the course of an individual’s life for a temporary period. After the surgery is completed, you have to stay at the hospital for at least 3 to 10 days.
But how long you stay at the hospital will depend heavily on your operation and how much time it will take to recover. Once it looks safe enough, you will be all ready to go home, where it will take 3 weeks to 8 weeks to recover.
What Are The Symptoms To Expect?
When you get back home right after the surgery, you will experience several symptoms. Here are some of the short-term symptoms you might face. Check it out!
- Minor issues with swallowing and speech.
- Overall paleness.
- Changes in performance or behaviour.
- Impaired synchronization or poor balance.
- You might experience seizures.
- Dizzy Spells.
- Confusion.
The symptoms will start showing right after the surgery is over. But they will surely reduce within weeks during the recovery stages.
Cared Required For Post-Surgery
When you are recovering from brain tumor surgery, you will receive a post-surgery care plan from your neurosurgeon. All care plans are not the same because they depend on their unique requirements and surgical procedures. The care plan includes:
- Occupational Therapy: Through this therapy, you will easily regain all the confidence and skills, which will enable you to perform all the regular activities. You will receive training for utilizing aids like a walker. Extra railings can be added at the staircases or grab bars in the shower, these will surely help you immensely.
- Physical Therapy: A qualified physical therapist will be responsible for setting up a set of movements, exercises, and stretches. Following them will help you regain all your strength quickly and efficiently.
- Speech Therapy: The language and speech pathologist will provide the speech therapy. The pathologist will treat and assess numerous language and speech challenges, which you will experience during post-surgery. These challenges are social communication issues, speaking, language, cognitive-communication, or swallowing.
Receiving proper care during post-surgery will surely help you recover quickly after the surgery. They will ensure that you receive adequate care during the recovery stages to return to your everyday life and conduct all your activities as you did before.
Long Term Issues You Will Experience After Surgery
Even though many individuals recover quickly after a Brain Tumour Surgery, some individuals experience long-term difficulties. The issues you will face will depend heavily on the brain area where the tumour was located. The issues you will encounter are:
- It will become difficult for you to concentrate or focus on things.
- There will be weakness on the leg or arm.
- You will experience some difficulty when walking.
- You might face problems in remembering things.
Best Time to Return to Work After Surgery
When you wish to go back to work, you have to first consult with your neurosurgeon. Post-surgery symptoms will make it hard for you to concentrate on your work. On the other hand, these symptoms can also stop you from delivering all your work on time, especially when the task you are doing is mentally demanding.
So, you must speak with the HR representative or manager to provide you with alternative work or assignments that don’t require much brainwork. It will be much easier for you to get the work done without putting much pressure on yourself while you recover.
Make sure to consult with a neurosurgeon before doing anything. They will provide you with the best tips and advice when it comes to getting back to work after surgery.
When To Call The Doctor If Something Goes Wrong?
Going back home after brain surgery can give rise to various problems. These problems can occur suddenly and for which you may require the help of a doctor. So, you must immediately call a doctor when:
- You are experiencing issues while urinating.
- Having hallucinations.
- Finding it difficult to control the bowel movement or urination.
- Feeling nauseous.
- Having a frequent headaches than the usual.
- Experiencing difficulty in hearing or seeing.
- Have a swollen or red and painful calf.
Final Thoughts
Brain surgeries can take a lot of time to heal. You must plan your time in recovering as you return to your normal life. Ensure to follow all the instructions your neurosurgeon provides you and opt for therapies and medications that can improve your speech, language, and movements and make you feel a lot stronger than before.
