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A few pics -

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-1/9149/mike4.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-1/9149/mike3.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-1/9149/mike2.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-1/9149/mike1.jpg

Doc's said it went well.

Very tired, more later.

Mike

Best of luck with results from the surgery Mike!

thanks for pictures
 

It never fails to put me in a state of awe when someone lets holes be drilled in their head. It's kind of like the feeling that comes when I watch the launch of a space vehicle.

I hope you are having a break from your symptoms from the effects of the surgery, as I hear often happens. Best of luck with healing and programming. Let us know more about it when you have the energy.

Paula

these pics make me angry
 

the incisions are WAY too big!! Especially the one on his left, (viewer right) They SHOULD be semi-circular so they do not go over the top of the Lead lock-plug. and no more than an inch and a half long.

Mike, make SURE you wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap, every chance you get! Get a bottle of the gel hand cleanser too. If you note any propensity towards scratching or touching your incisions, especially when you are sleeping, ask your surgeon if he minds you covering them LOOSELY with jumbo bandaids at night, or perhaps a stocking bandage.
You should note any redness, heat or discharge from your incisions. (a little is normal). IF you do note any, call your surgeon ASAP!

keep pets off your bed and wash your pillowcases daily too.
IF you want to talk to others who have had a DBS my group is at:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/DBSsurgery/

hope you have a great honeymoon period and speedy recovery!!

Who/where didyou have your surgery done and what are the dates for your stimulator placement and initial programming??

all the best and God Bless
Charlie Black

Welcome to the world of Bionics
 

Mike,

I am glad everything went well and hope the results exceed the results you were hoping for.

Charlie,

My lock-plugs are directly under my incisions too but my incisions are much shorter that Mike's. Why should the incision not go over the plugs?

My doctor recommended that I keep my incisions covered all the time and other than changing twice before the stitches were taken out, I kept mine covered with large bandages. I slept in my recliner when I got home so I wouldn't tear the bandages off. The doctor showed me the leads he was going to install. On the day before the stitches were to be removed I knocked the bandage off and I felt one of the stitches with my fingers. I was still mostly asleep and my first thought was that the lead had pulled out. I sat up faster than I had moved in years.

Looking good, Mike! Wish you a speedy recovery and make sure you listen to Chasmo. I look forward to seeing you a "little fuller in the face" soon. (Sunken cheeks is what gives us that sad look).
Hugs
Teresa

The semi circular incision gives virgin skin over the plugs. It is tougher and less prone to injury during the healing process.
Touching my incisions when I was asleep was how I got my infection.
Exposing them to air is the best way to promote healing, and the banadage is a fertile ground for germs to grow, IMHO.
One should keep a vigil for redness, heat or unusual discharge around the incisions.

Charlie Black, bilateral DBS-STN done in 2002 at UCLA

DBS Surgery (1062 members!)

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/DBSsurgery/