Neurosurgeons are surgical specialists dedicated to treating a wide range of conditions that affect the brain, spine and nervous system with surgical interventions, non-surgical approaches, or a combination of these. If you’ve been referred to a neurosurgeon in Bergen County, New Jersey for treatment of a disorder such as an aneurysm, a spinal condition, tumor or malformation of blood vessels in the brain, it’s important to get all the information you need about what to expect from all stages of your treatment and recovery – and to make sure your neurosurgeon has all the information about your health and any other factors that could affect your treatment.
- Your neurosurgeon should be able to tell you what kinds of preparations you need to do and when to do them, such as stopping certain medications, taking new ones, or avoiding food and drink.
- In general, your neurosurgeon should be able to give you a typical time frame for both the procedure itself and your recovery time in the hospital afterward.
- Your neurosurgeon should be able to provide a general overview of what to expect as you recover from your procedure. He or she should also explain the plan for follow-up appointments with the surgeon and other members of your healthcare team, if necessary.
What Kinds of Conditions Do Neurosurgeons Treat?
There are over 600 different conditions that can affect the brain, spine and central and peripheral nervous system, and although many of these can be managed without surgery, some are caused by “structural” issues in the brain or spine that can be resolved or improved by surgical procedures. Common conditions that can be treated with neurosurgery include cerebrovascular disorders such as clogged or blocked arteries, abnormalities in the brain such as aneurysms and Chiari malformations, and tumors in the brain or spine.
These and a number of other disorders can be treated with procedures ranging from minimally invasive endoscopic surgery to traditional “open” surgical procedures. Endoscopic procedures typically require just one incision in a large artery, usually in the leg, in order to insert a catheter and direct it to the target area of the brain. These kinds of procedures allow for fewer risks and a shorter recovery time than open surgeries. In some cases, too, neurosurgeons don’t perform surgery at all, and simply monitor a condition for new developments, or treat it with non-surgical means.
Each individual’s situation is unique, and so is each plan of treatment. As you prepare for your procedure, it’s wise to make notes of any questions you may want to ask your neurosurgeon as well as a list of things that they should know, such as the medications you take, any allergies you have that could affect your treatment, and other lifestyle factors that could play a role, such as smoking. Your Bergen County neurosurgeon should know how to explain what will happen during your procedure, how long it should take and what to expect during your recovery.
What’s Involved In the Procedure?
Depending on the nature of your condition and the procedure planned to treat it, you may need to begin preparing for the procedure several days or even weeks ahead of time. Your neurosurgeon should be able to tell you what kinds of preparations you need to do and when to do them, such as stopping certain medications, taking new ones, or avoiding food and drink.
Knowing what to expect can relieve anxieties and help you prepare, too. Your neurosurgeon should be able to explain in detail what will happen in the time leading up to the procedure and as it happens. That can include information about what to expect when you arrive at the hospital or clinic, how long you can expect to remain there after the procedure is over, and what happens during the procedure itself.
You may also want to know other kinds of information, such as what kinds of medications will be used, what medical staff will be present during the procedure and what protocols are in place in case of an emergency. Your neurosurgeon should be able to explain all aspects of the procedure as well as its benefits and potential risks.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
Because every person’s situation is different, your doctors may not be able to give you an exact timetable for all the stages of your procedure. In general, your neurosurgeon should be able to give you a typical time frame for both the procedure itself and your recovery time in the hospital afterward. Some endoscopic procedures can take as little as an hour or two and patients can return home the same day, while others may require a hospital stay of one to several days. Likewise, open surgeries may take several hours, with a hospital recovery of a week or more.
What Can I Expect During Recovery?
Your recovery time after a neurosurgical procedure depends on many factors including your age, general health, and the nature of your condition. Your neurosurgeon should be able to provide a general overview of what to expect as you recover from your procedure. That could include a typical schedule for things like driving, going back to work, or returning to exercise, as well as a discussion of any potential medication side effects, or surgical complications to watch for. Your neurosurgeon should also explain the plan for follow-up appointments with the surgeon and other members of your healthcare team, if necessary.
Neurosurgeons provide comprehensive care for many complex conditions of the brain and spine, and that includes a range of both major and relatively minor neurosurgical procedures. Your neurosurgeon in Bergen County, NJ will work with you and the other members of your healthcare team to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you – and makes sure that both you and your doctor can have the information you need to make a smooth recovery.
