If you were anything like me you were told you had Chiari - thought "Oh right" then you went home and thought ."I wish i'd asked........."
In this section I hope to put in some of these questions that a patient may wish to ask. Most points should be covered by your surgeon but if they are not you may like to ask them.
The Surgery
- Do I have to have the surgery? What happens if i decide not to have the surgery?
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If I have the surgery - will it work? Will it make my sypmtoms go away?
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How long will I be in theatre for?
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How much hair will they shave off?
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How long will I be in hospital if I have the surgery?
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What can go wrong after surgery? (There are complications from any general anaesthetic, not just from this surgery.) What should I expect to feel when I go home?
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Are there any signs I should look out for that may indicate a problem?
After Surgery
- How long will it be before I can carry on with a normal life?
- Can I drive after the surgery? If i can, how long should I wait until i drive?
- I have small children - when can I bend down and pick them up and change their nappies?
- Can I lift and carry anything heavy after the surgery?
- I normally dye my hair - can I still dye it after surgery? If so when can I?
- I was told Chiari is a birth defect - will my children get it? (In a journal written by Dr.Milhorat -1999 - he states that it is his belief that it may be hereditary, although there is no conclusive proof)
- Do I have this condition because of something my mother did wrong when she was carrying me?
- Will I be able to go back to work? (Please tell your doctor what you do for a job and ask if it may be affected by surgery)
- When can I still play sports/fly/go swimming/have sex?
Each surgeon will use different techniques in surgery, you may want to ask if they use stitches or staples or how big the incision may be. These answers will be likely to differ between each surgeon, but you should be able to discuss all these points at any appointment you may have with your surgeon.