how much of your head is shaved?
 

Hi everyone, My mom is having her shunt put in on wednesday. she is worried about her head being shaved. Can anyone tell me what she should expect? thanks so much.

In my experience one who has undergone multiple shunt surgeries, the surgical team shaved only the side of my head where surgical access was required. After surgery, I was left with a head of hair that required the services of a barber. If your mother has concerns, possibly she could speak to nurses/and or the neurosurgeon.

Best of luck to you and your mother!

Rob

My neurosurgeon doesn't shave any hair. He uses Hibiclens (an antibacterial shampoo) on my hair and pumps me full of Vancomycin before surgery but doesn't shave any hair. When I was little I had an NS that shaved around the part of the incision (most of the right half of my head). Definitely talk to the NS because it seems that every NS does it differently.

I just had a shunt put in last month, and my neurosurgeon shaved a huge section on my right side. I had super long hair and had to get it cut after surgery because the iodine knotted my hair terribly. I was (and still am) missing my long hair, but it will grow back!

I hope your mother has a smooth surgery and speedy recovery!
Katrina

Thanks!
 

My mom had her surgery yesterday and they shaved a tiny part of her head on the bottom right side. It is bandaged now, but I don't think it is a big deal. Most importantly, she was already up and walking around a few hours after surgery- pretty good for an almost 82 year old who has had hip replacment, a broken pelvis, and a bone tumor in her knee!

It's great to hear that your mother's surgery went well!

Vomiting and headache
 

So my mom developed headache and vomiting the day after. It got better and started again today. They have done ct scan which looked good and X-rays of her stomach. The surgeon adjusted the pressure. Any thoughts?