i have been suffering with IIH for 10 years and have had well over 20 LPs i had a spinal shunt surgury planned for frbuary 2013 but due to my fluid being high and an unsusefull LP due to doctors incompidence. my surgery has been moved to in 2 weeks i iknow the basics of the surgery but i have some small probably silly questions .

what is the recovery like ?
what will i feel like after surgery ?
when i wake up will the tube be out of my throat?
how long dose it take to walk properly again?
do i demand to lay flat afterwards no matter how meany nurses try and make me sit up like after an LP?

i am so so so SORRY i know this is alot of questions but they r questions that are bugging me

sammyjo xoxox

It honestly depends on the type of surgery and how things progress..it's different for everyone! Your tube should be gone by the time you wake up in recovery. I think it's generally a 4-6wk process as long as there aren't any complications. You'll definitely be sore, but they'll get you up and walking as soon as they can. It's been my experience that the sooner you can get moving the quicker you'll recover..just listen to your body and don't push too much. I'd be happy to chat or answer any other questions if you want to PM me.

Sammyjo, my lp shunt was installed Nov 1st of last year. The surgery was uneventful. Recovery was a breeze for me. I was in the hospital just overnight and even did a bit of driving later the following day, Pain was not bad, the only restrictions I had were light lifting, showers only - no baths until the stitches came out and take it easy for a couple of weeks. My throat was sore after the surgery from the tube, but I wasn't aware they had used one.

As far as laying flat after the surgery, you will probably still be groggy afterwards so you will not be getting up right away. My surgery was first thing in the morning, By evening I was up and walking around. No problem.

I know that the time before surgery is tough. It is the not knowing that makes it so scarey. I am sure that if you ask your surgeon, he/she will explain it all to you. It is an easy surgery for them.

mt surgon is very confident, my epilepsy has caused him some trouble and concerens but he seems sure enought that all will go well. i tthink its just been such along long wait that i am now feeling flusted and a little paniced. even on here there are horrer stories of reversals and blocked shunts or shunts that have moved.

you are completly right i am just stressing my self out for no reason x

AHHHH my fluid is high my nuro told me i would have my surgry in 2 weeks... this was a week ago i have heard nothing my eyes and ears are shot i need an LP but dont know what to do should i wait for letter from surogon or go to A&E.
if i go to A&E to have LP will they still b able to do my shunt x

Yes if you have to have an LP they will still be able to do your shunt. I myself had several LP's before my first shunt in order to keep my pressure down till they could insert the shunt. Try giving your Neuro a ring and explain to him whar your symptoms are and he may be able to arrange an LP in the meantime for you.

i have had well over 30 LPs at my last LP i was told i have alot of scare tissue. thanks heidi x x u calm me